[Socar MYLES]

Bad Rats #5. This one was really inspired by a book I just finished reading: "The Short-Timers" by Gustav Hasford. The text on the picture, no doubt illegible at this size, says: "A Viet Cong rat attacks. Obviously, he intends to bring my breakfast under the influence of Communism.... ...Eating, his cheeks are fat. He looks so very bad; he's beautiful."

I got a really hard time for the sketch for this one at school. The teacher started the critique by asking if I fought in Vietnam. (I'm 26. What the hell does she THINK? I really hate when people start out to make a point by asking a really stupid question.) Well, I told her to stop asking silly questions and get to the point. The point was that, since I wasn't there, I have no right to paint about Vietnam.

Well, I really chose that quotation to paint about because it made me think about brutality and beauty...this isn't really a painting 'about' the war at all. The war which, of course, I didn't see. But I really enjoyed the book, and I wanted to paint this anyway, in spite of all criticism. However, I did want to mention this in case it offends anybody.

Also, you might want to turn up the brightness on your monitor quite high for this one.



I very nearly forgot: ...a detail. It's still too small to see the text, but it shows the face better, I think.

[ October 29, 2001: Message edited by: Socar MYLES ]

[Awetopsy]

whats offensive about that???

i think its very good...

[Ripelly]

If this is offensive... I really can't tell where the line goes.

Well obviously the rat is too dark, but the frames' artwork is very, very nice work (as usual)! I could imagine this as a book's cover.

[Twice]

first of all, let me say that I love your art. I admire your way of combining ugly and beautifull. take heroin chick for ex. there you have this not to well looking woman, but in some wierd way, you made here beautifull... ahh...anyway.
I don't think you should think to much about that your art may offend people. I think you should paint whatever you want to paint, as long as it don't have the purpose to offend someone, then it is something els. i remember a thread some days a go. Someone in this forum made a photomani of Hitler. A rather good one. This made a big fuzz. I don't think the one making it meant in any way to gloryfay a man that killed over
5 000 000 people. I don't think that it is the right way to do it.

hmm.... this didn't make to much sence, but the pic was awsome as usuall...