"Hunter"

This painting was inspired by one of my favorite Authors of all time.  Hunter S. Thompson.  I wanted to do a painting that encapsulated the care free spirit of this sage like journalist/author.  So many artistic interpretations of him have come out acid-washed or druggy and I wanted to do something a little more soothing while still honoring his "Gonzo" nature.  One thing that the man had in bulk was his elequance with words, from the controlled insanity of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" to the shockingly balanced journalistic work "Hells Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga".  He could be rip roaring drunk and half loosing his mind on LSD and still put together an essay that would make any english major weep in envy.  Through out the painting there are words springing forth from the beach around him, not only english but Chinese to symbolize Hunter's ability to find all sorts of philisophical musings or stories in his surroundings no matter there alien quality (even if he himself was oblivious to their meaning).  And of course there sits a drink in a nice tall bottle sitting neatly next to an ash tray holding who knows what kind of substances. The beach was inspired by one of his most respected novels "The Rum Diary : A Novel" and I personally can't wait to see this tale come to life with Johnny Depp once again paying homage to the great American author.  He has inspired countless numbers of creative individuals (such as Johnny Depp and the writers at the adult swim cartoon Venture bros.) simply by being himself and I hope to one day read the words of the next Great American Gonzo Journalist.  I give you lovingly, "Hunter"