Ben Kweller.

NOTE: The painting is done on an OVAL canvas. No more criticism about the border--it's only there because the format needed to be rectangular for uploading purposes!

There's a story behind this.
Since I entered grad school, I've been so busy that I hardly paint anymore. In fact, for a while I hadn't been taking any time for myself...it had just been school, internship, eat, and sometimes sleep.
A few weeks ago I took Chris to see Ben Kweller for our anniversary. I hadn't been to a concert in at least 2 years and I forgot how fun it was...and also, it was just great to get out and about.
In return, Chris gave a new easel, a tube of paynes grey, and a tube of caput mortem violet.
I was inspired to paint...but what?
That's when Chris said, "There's a bunch of high resolution photos of Ben Kweller...paint him."
And what do you know, the jacket he was wearing was exactly caput mortem violet.
Although I don't usually paint from photos that I don't take myself, I decided what the hell...I'm not going to put it in a gallery or sell it...painting it would be strictly for me and my sanity. I provide art therapy for several clients a week--it was about time I started painting for my own therapeutic needs.
So, thanks Ben Kweller for putting a little rock and roll back into my life.

(Listen to Ben Kweller: [link])

Oil on Canvas

*original photo taken by Michael Waring