Family Portrait
egg tempera and oil on canvas
36" x 48"
This image came directly out of my Amazon field journal. Although this painting is still a work in progress, it describes the nature of the relationships I have with my family. Each face in the creature, is a portrait of different family members from my childhood. While in the jungle, I had a vision of this being, his arm turned into a giant serpent. When he stood up, the entire jungle rose with him. I maneuvered my way through the foliage knowing the only way through the pain, was to enter the mouth of the great snake. After passing through the jaws, I found myself transported to another level of the dream world. It was a way to test my strength and face my deepest fears.