When I was about 16 I was pondering centralized control of media, especially TV, and the fact that most people didn’t seem to mind the pablum they were fed. Possibly inspired by the Macintosh commercial of 1984, I drew this pen and ink drawing of a mohawk festooned punk rocker jabbing an oversized needle into the glassy eye of the idiot box.
I started a new painting late last year as a 20 year re-visitation of the theme. A lot has changed in the realm of media outlets, distribution and the offerings available to anyone anywhere. Between the Internet and Tivo, I’ve been able to jab my own sharp needle into the baleful eye of the thing I really hated about TV, the commercials.
So I thought it would be a good time to revisit the theme.
The painting is 24×30 on hard board, and was larger than anything I’ve attempted recently. So it took me forever to finish it. It has the recurring one eyed monsters and lizard men I’ve been painting and drawing reecently, but there are a few other noteworthy cameos.
Here is the punk from the original drawing, 20 years later. Now he’s married and is trying to figure out how to plug the TV in. The original tv is also there, on its side, obsolete and useless.
Here’s my mom and dad riding around in my dad’s a-model hot rod project car.
Here we can see David Rose, Tommy Long, and Doctor Who peeking out of the Tardis. He’s not sure he wants to get involved with this mess, because it’s a tangle that can’t be solved without guns, face punching and biting. Dave on the other hand, is in his element, gleefully chasing a monster with a broken beer bottle. Tommy is putting his hockey equipment to good use as well.
Matt Turner is wearing part of his Spartan costume while George uses his MTG cards to cast some sort of spell. Behind them is a LARPer, casting a level 1 Lightning Bolt.
Finally, there’s Lauren, reloading her Beretta, while my brother Jon lines up a shot. The Time Bandits are making a quick getaway. The item they were after has already been stolen . . .
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Once again A-foltz, I love this one too!!!
I love all the little bits through out, but feel a bit left out
Kidding.
Keep up the good work!
By the way, I have a mate who just opened his photos at a local cafe. You need to do the same! Holler.
hm.. luv it ))
I love the shout out to the Tardis and the Time Bandits. My kids love them some Dr. Who and I used to have Time Bandits taped on a VHS tape off of TV back in the day! I love all the details…so clever Andy…keep it up!
This is amazing! Do you still have the painting? You made any full scans of it? I’d totally love to have this one on my wall but I suspect I couldn’t afford the original.. What do you want?
And by the way, this first picture would make a wonderful T-shirt. Would you mind if screen print one? I could send you one too if you want to!