Yo – I Painted a Fuckin’ Unicorn

Friday, I sold art at the Civic Media Center in Gainesville. Drove back to Jacksonville last night and sold at the Four Families album release show. AND NOW – after seeing Gord post something about Atlanta – I’ve keenly deduced that not only are Iron Chic playing in Gainesville tonight, but they’re playing with Off With Their Heads and The Slow Death! Couldn’t be more excited. I hit up Johnny to see if I could sell art at the show tonight and – now that I’ve got the go-ahead and know that I can make some money to cover gas – I’m about to hit the road and drive right back to Gainesville.

Things couldn’t be going better lately.  That (and the fact that I’ve been off Adderall for MORE THAN A WEEK now) has had an interesting effect on my artistic output. I’m less in my head, less troubled, and painting nonsense like this:

"Yo - I Painted a Fuckin' Unicorn." 2/28/14. Acrylic paint. 16x16".
“Yo – I Painted a Fuckin’ Unicorn.” 2/28/14. Acrylic paint. 16×16″.

Which is cool, I guess. It’s not the first time it’s happened.

My favorite element of the painting is the arrow at the bottom center – directing the viewer’s attention to the unicorn. You know – IN CASE ANYONE’S HAVING TROUBLE FINDING IT.

 

UPDATE! / ADDENDUM! (April 24, 2014)

In April of last year, I was at an art fair kinda thing, where I met an artist named William Somma. He asked me if I’d like to collaborate on a painting. He threw a bunch of colors onto a canvas and then handed it off to me so that I could paint a bunch of my funny faces on top. The result was our painting, “Limp.” When it was done, he asked if I’d like to do another. He threw a bunch of colors on the second canvas but they didn’t dry before the day was done. I took it home with me and didn’t pick it up again for almost a year. That second painting (eventually) became, “Yo – I Painted a Fuckin’ Unicorn.”

Here’s the thing… None of Will’s colors were still on the canvas by the time I was finished with it. His texture was still underneath my paint but I felt guilty about it. I argued with myself over whether I should acknowledge that this was the same canvas (and risk hurting his feelings) or say nothing and – should he ever ask about the canvas – LIE and say that I lost it. In the moment that I decided to share the painting online, I didn’t even think of the whole dilemma.

A couple days ago, Will sent me an email: Hey, question… I was browsing your paintings and I noticed the unicorn one. Is that the one I gave you at Art Pool underneath? The texture made it turn out pretty neat.”

Holy shit, that kid’s got a good eye! That was a year ago!!

I told Will all about my guilt and shame and he was totally cool about it. The whole thing was a giant relief.

AND CHECK IT OUT: Now my Unicorn painting has a way better story! Being mentally ill sure keeps things interesting!


The original painting is sold, but check out the prints in the webstore!


Update (2026): I GOT THIS PAINTING BACK when its original owner GAVE UP ALL EARTHLY POSSESSIONS to live in the woods (or something like that). So, depending on when you’re reading this, it may once more be available to purchase.


Maybe It’s Okay to Be Happy

"Maybe It's Okay to Be Happy." 2/27/14. Acrylic paint and ink. 16x20".
“Maybe It’s Okay to Be Happy.” 2/27/14. Acrylic paint and ink. 16×20″.

I’m too fulfilled. Too many things are going my way. IT’S KILLING MY ART.
Or… maybe it’s okay to be happy?

As I was working on this painting, trying to figure out how I wanted to frame it [mentally/emotionally], I was tempted to kick around in my head until I could find or invent a problem. 

Ultimately, I decided to just let it be.

I’m having fun making art, it’s supporting me financially, I’ve got an exhibit running right now in Jacksonville, some other pieces hanging in businesses around town, a large piece prominently featured in a gallery in Delray Beach, prospects for the rest of the year. Things are okay and I guess that’s okay.

It’s better than “okay,” really.


"Amazon Wishlist." 12/19/13. Acryic paint and food coloring. 18x24".
“Amazon Wishlist” was deemed too offensive by both BG and Chamblin’s. WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT?

Blog for Feb 28, 2014: I just set up my new exhibit at BG (with 24 pieces!) and still have some stuff at Chamblin’s too. Five originals up on the walls and just under a dozen prints (of different pieces) out on display. Although – apparently – one of my paintings is too offensive for anyone to exhibit… You won’t find Amazon Wishlist hanging anywhere. (Kinda crazy that of all my outrageous stuff, just the word “Christian” in an ambiguous/possibly negative context is the most offensive, right?)

Today, I’m headed to Gainesville to do a pop-up show at the Civic Media Center. I’ll be back in Jacksonville at some point this weekend, at which time I’ll start posting a new LETTER TO THE CITY all over Riverside and downtown. And this Wednesday, I’ll be out for the Downtown Artwalk.