The Art of Christian Mengele

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Even a man who is pure of heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright....

I was surprised at the absence of trick-or-treaters this year. Guess they're all protesting.

RON PAUL 2012!!!

RHODESIA WAS SUPER

2011-10-08T17:13:00.001-07:00

RHODESIA/ZIMBABWE
30X24 inches
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Rhodesia was an amazing country in southern Africa, a beautiful Christian nation with a proud and diverse people. Unfortunately it became a political pawn in the hands of Britain, and of South Africa, who wanted throw Rhodesia under the wheels. Isolated from the rest of the world, Rhodesia fought alone against the terrorist forces backed by international communism. Countless innocent black and white citizens were slaughtered by the communist revolutionaries, who were backed by the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba. Meanwhile, the mainstream media abroad simply made it seem like Rhodesia was in a "racial war" of blacks versus whites, when in reality there was racial harmony. Black Rhodesians were proud of their nation and fought against the closing hand of international communism, alongside their white brothers. When a diplomatic solution was finally reached, Robert Mugabe became "President for Life", as is usually the case in dictatorships, and Rhodesia became the Hell-hole known as Zimbabwe. A corrupt kleptocracy, a nightmare of human rights violations, racism, persecution and a collapsed economy where money was printed with no gold backing. You could find a 50 Trillion note that bought you nothing.
But RHODESIA WAS SUPER! Rise, O voices of Rhodesia! Rhodesia Forever!

Silly Pic

2011-10-08T00:58:00.001-07:00

When in doubt....what would Mifune do?? Yes, Toshiro Mifune is one of my favourite actors. ;-) I'm particularly fond of his collaborations with Akira Kurosawa, and his two films with Shintaro Katsu where he had the chance to reprise his "Sanjuro" character.

Knight Rider

2011-09-23T11:32:00.001-07:00

Er kommt - Knight Rider - Ein Auto, ein Computer, ein Mann.

Knight Rider - Ein Mann und sein Auto kämpfen gegen das Unrecht.

I just posted this funny picture because a lot people make fun of my photos because of my eyebrow. They have no idea it's paralysed. If you look at ALL my photos you'll see it always looks like that. David Tennant has a similar affliction. Apparently so do Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone. But not David Bowie, he has a paralysed pupil due to having been in a fight. The end result is that he ended up with different coloured eyes.

By the way, Hasselhoff!!!

Herzog und Kinski

2011-08-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

HERZOG & KINSKI
30x24 inches / 76x61 cm
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My favourite German film director, Werner Herzog and my favourite German actor, Klaus Kinski, together again, at least in this painting.

Their collaboration is the stuff of legends. Together they brought us "AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD" and "FITZCARRALDO" among others. But more than that they had a friendship that was full of life, love, hatred, anger, madness, masoquism, understanding, forgiveness and creativity. It took the genius of Herzog to prevent the genius of Klaus Kinski from exploding like a volcano, destroying everything in its path. One popular myth is that Herzog directed Kinski at gunpoint from behind the camera. This isn't really how it happened but one could see it happening. I certainly could and it's now this painting.

Available from the Blanchett Gallery online at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320737154801

NEW painting: RWANDA 94

2011-07-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

RWANDA 94
20x16 inches
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This is a painting celebrating July 17 as the anniversary of the end of the Rwandan Genocide where Hutu Power extremists caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Rwandans, mostly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, as well as Twa Africans.

The events inspired the movies "Hotel Rwanda", "Shooting Dogs", "Sometimes in April", "Shake Hands with the Devil" (based on Romeo Dallaire's experience) and "Sunday in Kigali" among others, and this painting also pays tribute to the ten fallen UN peacekeepers, listed on the lower left corner.

MON ONCLE, Monsieur Hulot!

2011-06-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

MON ONCLE, M. HULOT!
12x12 Acrylics and Oil Paints on wood
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This little tribute to one of my favourite film makers of all time, Jacques Tati, is actually a rarity in that I painted on wood instead of canvas. I loved the wood grain and how alive and vibrant the colours look on it.

Our favourite movie is Jacques Tati's "PLAY TIME" from 1967. I swear that I wish I had a time machine just so I could become a multi-millionaire, go back in time and fund more Tati movies. There will never be another Jacques Tati. Recently I introduced my daughter to Tati through the 2010 animated movie "The Illusionist". In spite of the controversy surrounding the film (regarding whether it was meant for Sophie Tatischeff or Helga Schiel), it stands out on its own. A beautiful film.

You might notice I have been mostly producing these smaller pieces. With my daughter to take care of, my time has greatly been reduced. Painting time is emotional time, it's different than anything that doesn't require inspiration. Now that she's in school (Thank God!) I'll get back to a more regular painting rhythm.

This painting is being auction by the Blanchett Gallery on their eBay store. Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320708056171

More ART to come

2011-05-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Valis Mengele, my daughter.

Today was my daughter's first day at school. It was orientation so she didn't stay a full day. I'm happy to say that she absolutely loved her school and she was actually sad she had to leave.

What this means in terms of my art is once she starts going full time I'll have more time to paint and get back into creating more pieces. And of course, as you can see in this pic she's training to someday take the art world by storm ;-)

In the meantime, you can try and win one of my paintings on eBay. My manager has my "Mad Skull" up for auction at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320700433863

MAD SKULL

2011-05-16T19:32:00.001-07:00

MAD SKULL
10x10 inches
THIS PAINTING HAS BEEN SOLD

In the popular Day of the Dead sugar skull style, this small offering was made for sale on auction on eBay. On occasion I make a smaller painting to sell there since I want my art to be within reach for everyone. I've asked Margaret to start it at $100. This is still an affordable piece for new collectors.

Looks great on the wall and doesn't take up much space, giving a high effect to footprint ratio.

THE SHAVER MYSTERY

2011-05-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

THE SHAVER MYSTERY
30x24 inches
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This painting is on the theme of the Hollow Earth Theory. There are two versions of the theory. One is that the Earth is hollow, like an egg, and the other, that there is a vast, complex subterranean system. I have seen no evidence to support the former, yet I have found myself in what may have been the latter. Entrances to the subterranean world exist in South America. It's well known that beneath Brussels there is a subterranean city. Below the Patala shrine in Tibet, there's an utopia named Shamballa, and Agartha is its capital. It's history as foreseen by Madame Blavatsky. The inhabitants of New York's abandoned subways and sewers are afraid of the Deros. Dero is the creature described by Richard Shaver. When I was painting this, the brush fell apart. There are brush hairs on this painting and its texture actually enhanced the image, so I kept it there. There are no coincidences

Excerpt from branton's THE UNDERGROUND EMPIRE:

During the latter part of the 1950's the exploration party had investigated some very interesting caverns, mainly within the area of Arkansas and the surrounding states. At on point they came across one particular cavern some miles north of Batesville, Arkansas. This was in an area where several caverns were located. Many of these caves (concentrated generally NW-West of the town of Cushman) have in fact been the subject of some very interesting accounts, suggesting that there might be more thanone route to the nether regions below other than the one discovered by David L. and his friends. There are accounts of several people who have entered some of these caves and were never seen again; or who encountered strange phenomena deep underground - such as electrical failure of flashlights, suggesting possible electromagnetic interference; accounts involving extremely deep caverns; gas pockets encountered at extreme depths; and an account concerning one of the caves west of Cushman which seemed to have ancient carvings over it depicting various figures; and there is even one account which came from an Oklahoma man who was told by a friend of his of being chased from a cavern west of Cushman by a large hairy humanoid who began throwing boulders at him as if annoyingly scaring him out of "his" territory!

At one point David L's group came across one particular cavern near the town. Over a period of years, returning from time to time to this particular cavern, the explorers had crossed underground lakes, followed dead-end leads, explored "breakdown" areas, investigated numerous cracks and chasms, and steep inclines. One of their most fortunate discoveries was made in a large boulder-strewn break-down area about half-way between the entrance and an underground "lake". They noticed a crack in the path which they had found through the boulders and, following this crack into the thick of the breakdown they came across another area where the crevice widened enough to allow them entrance. Following this they descended for a very great distance for a very long while, down a sloping 45 degree incline, so steep in places that rope had to be used. This steep, sloping passage led them past a couple of horizontal "side passages" which they followed a few miles to dead ends, and continued deeper through at least one more crevice. Eventually they emerged into a large cavernous area hundreds of feet high and long, which they named "glass cave" because of it's features, and used it as a central "camp" in subsequent explorations. The remarkable thing about this cavern, however, was their claim that it was located almost 4 MILES beneath the surface of the earth, which would definitely make it deeper than any other "officially" recognized cavern.

Time and again they explored the mazes and labyrinths deep in the earth using "glass cave" as their central camp. Two passages in the far wall of this chamber, opposite from the crevice through which they first entered glass cave, were each explored for 3 days continuously before they decided to turn back. According to David L., these passages still continued onward with no end in sight. Could these have led to the gloomy 'hadean' like caverns which they were to see later, and which they alleged contained 'gigantic serpents' or snakes capable of crushing a human being to death in a few seconds?

After some experiments involving air flow within glass cave, the explorers were able to trace slight air movements to another as-yet- undiscovered crevice hidden within the wall, not far from the crevice which they had entered from above. This passage, through relatively small, continued still DEEPER into the earth. They explored the steep incline for what they approximated to be a mile, before reaching an area of "breakdown". This "seemed" to be the end of the line. Just as they were about to turn back in disappointment from this passage which had taken them deeper than they had ever been before, one of the members of the team noticed that the light of their carbide lamps seemed to have a faint amber tint to it. All of them were perplexed, wondering what would be causing the phenomena.

It was decided that they would all turn off their lamps in order to see if the greenish luminescence remained. They did so, and a minute or so afterwards their eyes adjusted to the darkness and they could faintly distinguish a greenish luminescence which seemed to emanate from the lowest part of the passage in an area where heavy "breakdown" SEEMED to close off any further progress.

George Wight was the first one to make his way to the spot in the breakdown area from which the faint light seemed to emanate and, after removing more rocks, they discovered that still another crack or crevice, barely wide enough for one man to enter at a time, descended vertically from beneath the breakdown.

According to David L., Wight volunteered himself to be the first to explore the crevice, and soon afterwards he was on his way down. A few minutes passed before those above heard the sound of what they could only guess was George slipping and falling down the crevice.

After a period of uncertainty those above, concerned for his safety, were relieved to hear the faint voice of George Wight rising up from apparently several dozen feet below. They were able to make out his excited words to the effect that he had fallen into a large tunnel, and encouraged the others to follow him.

They did so, and when they were all in the 'tunnel' they stood in stunned silence. The passage which stretched out from them in BOTH directions was not like the common natural cavern passages which they had explored for the past few days. In fact, it seemed more artificial than natural. Approximately a dozen feet in height and about the same in width, the 'tunnel' was similar in shape to a subway tunnel, having a domed ceiling and a flat floor. What really caught their attention however, was the fact that the tunnel was illuminated by a greenish phosphorescence to the point that they did not need their carbide lamps to see their surroundings. The strange luminescence seemed to emanate from the walls of the tunnel itself, which were clear and glass-like yet at the same time extremely hard.

In one direction the lighting effect faded out into blackness, while in the other direction the light seemed to increase. One of the members suggested that the light might be coming from the surface, and that they might be in one of the old mines which existed in the area of the cavern entrance, but others brought up the fact that, according to their calculations, they were at least five miles beneath the earth and therefore the light probably did not come from the surface.

Subsequently, the explorers decided to investigate in the direction of the "light" since it would allow them to keep some carbide in reserve for their return trip. At one point the tunnel (which was apparently cut through solid rock much of the way and then glazed over with the hard, transparent substance) opened into a gigantic cavern. Actually, this occurred several times and at intervals, as if those who constructed the tunnel intentionally meant for them to intersect the various cavern systems. Did the ancient builders of this tunnel system possess a combination of gravitometers, x-rays and sounding radars to detect these cavities? Even as it passed through these large caverns, the tunnel still continued in the form of a transparent domed enclosure, still the same shape as before, yet this time the hard transparent substance was in the form of a 'wall' a foot or so thick that protected the group from the 'outside' or cavern environment. And fortunately so, for beyond the luminescent walls, were black expanses of gloomy darkness within which they could faintly make out huge moving and slithering figures of what seemed to be giant serpents and other grotesque reptilian creatures as well as other non-reptilian creatures, including giant insects.

If not for the fact that these creatures were physical, tangible things, these dark caverns could have been likely candidates for the legendary 'Hades' of Greek and Hebrew tradition.

The most shocking surprise of all, however, occurred on the third day after exploration of this tunnel began, a considerable distance from the crevice from which they entered the tunnel. They were walking along when all-of-the-sudden they turned around and found themselves face-to-face with a group of human-like beings who stood around 7 to 8 feet tall. 'Their' skin had a faint pale-bluish, almost clay-bluish tint to it and their eyes were relatively large and owl- like. But 'they' were definitely human, according to David L., who was on this particular expedition. The 'people' took out some type of electronic device, apparently some kind of parabolic communicator, and after a few attempts they succeeded in establishing a communication link using the electronic 'translator'.

At this point their story becomes even more complex, and the exact series of events, in their chronological order, are rather undefined. First, the strange 'people' made it known that the tunnel led to a network that went all throughout the earth and to even greater depths. 'They' had certain types of instruments that could monitor from a distance the emotional field or make-up of a person and thus determine their intentions. It was only because 'the group' was found to possess an emotional makeup indicating relatively non-violent and non-selfish motivations that they were chosen to be contacted. 'They' made it known that the cavers could have traveled through the underground tunnels for weeks and would not have discovered their "city" if "they" did not wish them to, as the entrance to it was so well hidden. Here then, are some of the other incidents which allegedly occurred after the group encountered the strange people, or rather after these people CONTACTED the group (chronological sequence uncertain):

1) The group learned that the tunnels continued for hundreds of miles, at least. After the initial contact, the topsiders were taken to a hidden "elevator" and were then taken through this to the "city" where these people resided. This community was apparently made out of a glass-like substance, somewhat like the makeup of the tunnels themselves.

2) Their lifestyle, way of life, society, government, etc., was described as being radically different than that which existed on the surface. These people possessed a "Book of Laws" or a moral code by which they attempted to live. According to David L., if any of their society became violent or became a threat to the rest they were expelled into the tunnels, given sufficient provisions to make it on their own, and generally forced to seek out their destiny in other parts of the nether regions. This punishment for unrepentant "criminals" was apparently practiced only on very rare occasions.

3) The technology used by this civilization was very complex, and is based largely on the technology of the lost races who lived before the flood and whose demise resulted in the abandonment of the subterranean system, along with all of the sophisticated technology which had been left there as well. The race encountered by David L. and his group allegedly were direct descendants of Noah, and were of a race of explorers who came to the Western Hemisphere some centuries following the deluge and discovered and took up residence within the ancient subsystem where they now resided. Some of the technology left by the "ancients" is still not understood by the people encountered by the speleologists. The group was also shown tremendous dark caverns miles beneath the city, where the subterraneans had found ancient ruins of this ancient lost race. Some of these buildings were sealed, apparently the desperate act of the vanished race who built them.

4) Some of the caverns--especially the extremely deep one's in which the ancient cities were found--were miles in diameter. Some were pitch black and so still and silent that a whisper could seemingly be heard miles away. Some of the upper caverns through which the 'tunnel' penetrated contained not only serpent-like creatures but also huge, hairy 'humanoids', perhaps tied-in with the Sasquatch family. These however were particularly violent in nature, possibly due to their environment and constant proximity to the serpents. Apparently there was an ongoing conflict between the "hairy" humanoids and the reptilian creatures in the caverns. According to David L., these hairy giants had faces "only a mother could love". On one occasion, their subterranean friends demonstrated some type of hand-held beam weapon by pointing it at one of the large serpents which could be seen through the tunnel "walls". The beam melted through the transparent barrier and the serpent disappeared in a sizzling glow of fire.

5) The group attempted to tell their story to friends of theirs on the surface. Apparently they made several trips after their first encounter with the blue-skinned race. However, their story was rejected and met with mockery and ridicule. They attempted to gather proof of their visit, and made a special trip "down under" just for that purpose, and succeeded in capturing a "giant cave moth" which roamed the deeper caverns. They placed it in a bag and upon returning topside they opened the bag and exposed the creature to the brilliant summer sun. For some reason, the sunlight had a disintegrating effect on the insect and before they could show it to anyone as proof it had dried up, become brittle and eventually crumbled to dust. After this, they gave up all attempts to get anyone to believe them, and resigned themselves to keep the secret among the twelve individuals who made up the exploration and support teams, that is, until David L. was given permission to reveal the story to the now late Charles A. Marcoux (Note: Marcoux incidentally died as a result of a 'heart attack', while exploring the surface areas around the Cushman caves. His wife described it as a sudden and irrational attack of fear resulting from a swarm of bees that Charles had encountered. One must realize that 'fear' is one of the most powerful weapons utilized by the 'infernals' who would attempt to blind mankind to conditions taking place in the inner world. However, by the grace of God Almighty, many have been able to defend themselves from the "body terror" utilized by the reptilians and which can often lead to paralysis, heart attacks, insanity or even suicide).

Eventually George Wight decided to remain below with their subterranean friends, and on their second-to-the-last trip they said their goodbyes. They allegedly made one more trip afterwards during which they met with their friend, who was doing well, for the last time. The peculiar thing about this incident, according to David, was that shortly after Wight had joined this underground society all evidence and records of him ever existing began to mysteriously disappear from the surface. Birth certificates, school records, computer records, bank records, etc. all seemed to vanish, apparently the work of someone in a very influential position who was able to erase all evidence that Wight had ever lived. Some researchers still retain copies of George Wight's articles from the old UFO periodical, nevertheless. This would open up the possibility that this underground race closely monitors events on the surface, and even has "workers" in various influential positions who act as mediators in surface society. Everything points to the fact that this subterranean race prefers it's privacy and does not wish to become involved in the political conflict and chaos which has for untold centuries plagued the surface world by warring factions constantly fighting over territorial rights, etc.

There is apparently much more to this account than we can relate here, however for various reasons, specific information other than that which we have just related will have to remain confidential. One can seemingly find "connections" between this account and others which have been related by other sources. For instance, John Lear has stated to some researchers that certain Apollo astronauts encountered another terran or earth-based race on the moon, a race that apparently made it there long before America did, and this 7 ft. tall, large-eyed race of humans seems to fit the same description as that given by David L. The people that Lear referred to allegedly have an alliance with the 'Blondes'. Is it possible that the underground people contacted by David know of and interact with the Telosians?

Whether this small item has any connection with the people allegedly encountered by the speleologists is uncertain, but it was related by John Keel in his book 'THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES': "...The Cherokees have a tradition, according to Benjamin Smith Barton's 'NEW VIEWS OF THE ORIGINS OF THE TRIBES AND NATIONS OF AMERICA' (1798), that when they migrated to Tennessee they found the region inhabited by a weird race of white people who lived in houses and were apparently quite civilized. They had one problem: their eyes were very large and sensitive to light. They could only see at night..." Is it possible that these people may have later taken up a cave- dwelling lifestyle, if they had not done so previously, to allow themselves more comfortable living conditions?

THE TELL-TALE HEART

2011-04-29T14:59:00.001-07:00

THE TELL TALE HEART / Das verräterische Herz

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This painting is based on a story told over a hundred and fifty years ago by America's greatest master of drama and suspense, Edgar Allan Poe.

The story is told through the eyes of a madman, who, like all of us, believed that he was sane. I hope to have captured the essence of what the author presented.

Annoyance

2011-04-09T15:08:00.001-07:00

So my friend and I talk a lot about Clive Barker's Hellraiser series of movies and she sent me a link to a Youtube video with Pinhead's best lines. One of the comments said that the planned remake of Hellraiser would not feature Doug Bradley (Pinhead from the Hellraiser series). I went to look at his filmography and it seems Doug Bradley will be appearing in the upcoming movie "The 4th Reich" instead. One of the characters in that movie is Josef Mengele. I saw the guy who is playing him in the film, he looks nothing like him. I just think it's weird that Hollywood never really casts people who look like the people they're supposed to be playing. The actor in "The Grey Zone" who played him was even bald! But that's Hollywood for you.

SKULL CANDY

2011-03-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

SKULL CANDY
12 x 9 inches
SOLD

In the popular Day of the Dead sugar skull style, this small offering was made for sale on auction on eBay. On occasion I make a smaller painting to sell there since I want my art to be within reach for everyone. I've asked Margaret to start it at $50 and run it for a week. This covers mostly costs and commissions, and is still an affordable piece for new collectors.

This painting has been sold

Legacy of the Daleks

2011-02-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

Legacy of the Daleks
36x48 inches
February 2011
SOLD

This is a painting inspired by the Tom Baker years of Doctor Who. Tom Baker was my favourite actor to play the Doctor and once he left I didn't really feel the desire to continue watching the show. He apparently had a conflict of vision with producer John-Nathan Turner, who didn't allow the writers to write to Baker's strengths. Baker had wonderful comic timing and his Doctor was likely the most successful of all.

Asides from the character of the Doctor I have always been fascinated by the Daleks and their creator Davros. Eddie Izzard used to make fun of their constant use of "Exterminate!", saying they should have used "Death or plumbing?" instead, due to the inoperative toilet plunger on their right arms.

The Fourth Doctor had a handful of companions but my favourites were Sarah Jane Smith (of the Andy Pandy overalls) and Leela, in that order. Never really thought Romana filled those shoes quite the same way.

This painting has been sold

FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS

2010-12-01T02:40:00.000-08:00

FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS
(Size: 61 x 61 cm)
SOLD

There is no way this reality is real, everything you see is fake and the world is populated by clones, drones, dummies, robots and replicants, and for this reason the milk is thoroughly pizzled. Nobody knows where mysterious atomic explosions are coming from but it's upsetting all the buffalo.

But that has nothing to do with this latest offering. This is my idea for a book cover for Frankenstein. And no, I don't think I'd have him fight a giant octopus in my version.

ALIEN NATION

2010-11-20T18:34:00.001-08:00

ALIEN NATION
(Size: 76.2 x 61 cm)
SOLD

The themes in this painting relate to the sense of not belonging, of understanding that there is no way that this reality is real. When you know you don't belong, your only hope is to get to Shell Beach.

Real time ceased in 70 c.e. with the fall of the temple at Jerusalem. It began again in 1974 c.e. The intervening period was a perfect spurious interpolation aping the creation of the Mind. "The Empire never ended," but in 1974 a cypher was sent out as a signal that the Age of Iron was over; the cypher consisted of two... words: KING FELIX, which refers to the Happy (or Rightful) King.

See some of my other works available online from the Blanchett Gallery.

APE NATION

2010-11-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

PLANET OF THE APES II: APE NATION
(Size: 121.92cm x91.44cm)
purchase this painting

A new entry in my "Planet of the Apes" series. This is a painting full of social commentary as well as cultural references, and hidden meanings. And best of all, only a select few know what it is about.

The painting looks amazing in person. The photos are good but wow I am really impressed at how the colours pop out. It's 36x48 and I am happy to return to the larger sized canvases. Looks fantastic on the wall. I will miss it when it goes to the Blanchett Gallery for shipment.

Click here to purchase this painting now!

The Tritones

2010-10-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

"The Tritones" is a painting that I really had to get out of my system. The stuff in it has been bouncing around in my head for a long time and I finally put it on canvas.

I can't go into detail about my inspiration but suffice to say the last couple months of my life are condensed into this image, and I might have to do a followup painting just to fit in more of what's been going on. I think some of my paintings when put together paint a larger painting, a snapshot of my mental state and maybe a map to my logical process.

This one was made for sale online, so you may find it on ebay through Blanchett Fine Arts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320609178559

PLANET OF THE APES

2010-08-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

PLANET OF THE APES (PLANET DER AFFEN)
Size is 40" x 30" (101.6cm x76.2cm)
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This painting came from conversations between me and my Swedish friend about how the world is bound to become the Planet of the Apes. A couple years ago I watched this movie called IDIOCRACY by the great Mike Judge (OFFICE SPACE) and I was amazed at how perceptive his satire was. The dumbing down of the population of Earth is presented as a result of reckless breeding by the unintelligent while those who would be desirable in the gene pool simply wait for the right moment to have children. The right moment never comes and the stupid people just breed away. After 500 years the world is completely overrun by morons. A hilarious movie. But the thing is, that movie was absolutely right. The population of the Earth just increases without thought of consequence. Modern medicine keeps around genes that were never meant to make it this far. People are taught that every life is precious. I myself think every life is precious but the price for this mentality is that a better mankind is not achievable. It's just a fact. We are very loving of life, too fearful of our own mortality and we project our empathy towards random ideas of people and try to keep as many alive as possible. But life is not something we deserved to begin with, it just happened to us. Most of us are here because two people somewhere got horny. ;-) And it happens all the time. Right now as you read this there is someone somewhere getting pregnant with no means to raise the child.
This leads into the famous "Planet of the Apes" quote: "A planet where apes evolved from men?"
Of course. It's inevitable. There might be 24 billion people on Earth by the end of this century. 500 years from now, who knows? Star Trek is not going to happen. The world is being taught by the people in charge that globalisation is a good thing. It's a good thing for people in power because it centralises all the power in their hands. It's not really a good thing for the people. This is because it lowers the quality of life in the First World as we are forced to be more and more accepting of Third World mentality. The crap you buy that is made in China is made by slave labour. What will end up happening if you empower a totalitarian regime with inferiour production standards and no human rights? Sooner or later your standards of living go down to match theirs. It's just a matter of time, really. People could make a better world by making the right choices but they just never do. It's easier to go to Walmart buy cheap crap made in China than to choose save a little more and buy a product from a company that doesn't exploit slave labour from a smaller business that actually helps increase the quality of life.
This is why I don't believe in people who talk about "the environment" and "recycling" and go out and buy crap made in China. There is an island of plastic refuge the size of Texas in the ocean. Who do you think put that there?
Then there is corruption, which forces people to act like animals. Like the gorillas in Planet of the Apes. Corruption runs rampant in African countries and Latin American countries. It's actually cultural in some of them. By donating to causes in those countries you are actually supporting the tyrannical governments in them. Tinpot dictatorships is what they are called. We allow those places to exist. And we allow the places where we live to become like those places. Look at how the United States is becoming a police state. Check out infowars.com if you dare.
I think the Earth defends itself from massive population growth with natural disasters. Earthquakes, volcanoes, etc....I live in Los Angeles. I could be swallowed up by an Earthquake at any moment. ;-) You never know.

Südtirol ist nicht Italien

2010-07-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

This painting is currently for sale at the Blanchett Gallery online via eBay. Looks GREAT on the wall for the size and it's a companion piece to my previous Volksmusik-inspired painting. I'm still radiating from this year's Grand Prix!

The title comes from a patriotic sign spotted in South Tyrol.

Get it at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320568541109 for a bargain!

Was macht das Edelweiß in meiner Supp’n

2010-07-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

"Was macht das Edelweiß in meiner Supp’n"

This new painting is inspired by the 2010 Südtiroler GRAND PRIX DER VOLKSMUSIK. The winner this year was the group VOLXROCK. I really liked all 4 finalists and voted for Alex Pezzei and his song "A Narrischer, A Boarischer". This painting is titled after this year's winning song. I am very happy with the colours and composition and told my representative that I'm keeping it on my wall until it sells. I love it! Feel free to make an offer as I understand it's currently up for sale on eBay.

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320564040266

WOW moment

2010-06-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

I have been fairly busy with newer art media and I have not posted photos of new paintings just yet. However, I wanted to write a little about an unexpected surprise I experienced.

There was a thread recently on a forum I participate in about whether American WLS post-ops are allowed to join their armed forces. Oddly enough, they aren't. I find this very unfair and sad, especially since many people can't get in shape without the surgery.
But it got me thinking so I dug out my old uniform..well, what's left of it. And to my complete surprise.....it fit! After nearly two decades I'm back in shape!

This came very unexpectedly and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it....wow....I am having a hard time believing it. And there are people who think this surgery isn't worth it? Funny, only thing that doesn't fit is my Feldmütze. I never liked it anyway.

I have also taken a long walk sometime ago to Griffith Observatory at Griffith Park. I fnally have a photo I took of a rather interesting sign...

For some reason I find the text on that sign to be hilarious. I know it's not meant to be, but I always think it's funny.

New paintings coming soon. Thanks for reading!

Ne Me Quitte Pas

2010-05-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

Made a new Youtube Video.

The Galactic Pot Healer

2010-05-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

This painting just sold. I guess I forgot to put a photo of it on the blog since I've been so busy.

I also have a few photos that are better than the ones I posted the other day. These were taken last night here in LA.

Work is progressing on my current batch of paintings. I only like to work when I'm inspired, then I can churn out really good stuff. I don't paint in order to sell, I sell in order to paint. This is what I make a living out of and I love it.

The Galactic Pot Healer was a painting I'm particularly proud of because I feel like my mind was finally being again to go where I wanted once again. It was painted right after "Orpheus with Clay Feet". "Orpheus" is still available for sale, here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320537099477

And photo:

There are some very personal references in "Orpheus" which I don't mean for all to see or understand, but it's inspired by a Philip K. Dick short story of the same name.

On a totally unrelated note, I don't really think I like the layout tools here on blogger, been thinking about switching to tumblr. ;-)

Finally, here's the photos that were taken yesterday.

Me

2010-05-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

My New Website, and THE EXEGESIS IS COMING!

2010-05-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my new website and until it is ready, christianmengele.com will redirect to this blog. I think it's better this way because I need to update a lot of my content.

This week I bring you "THE REAL GLORY!" It is for sale by the Blanchett Gallery eBay store. Click here to see the page!

On other fronts, Philip K. Dick's EXEGESIS is finally coming!!! I'm glad it's happening in my lifetime! From the New York Times, April 29, 2010 (sorry, no time to paraphrase, plus they may put this article behind their firewall at some point. Read the the article in its entirety below):

Philip K. Dick’s ‘Exegesis’ Will Receive Two-Volume Release

After a lifetime’s worth of literature that explored the future, the farthest regions of space and the afterlife, a posthumous work by Philip K. Dick will take readers to a different alien terrain: the inside of the author’s mind.

Mr. Dick, who died in 1982, was best known for existential science-fiction novels like “The Man in the High Castle,” “The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch” and “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” He also spent years of his life wrestling with what he considered religious visions that he began experiencing in the 1970s. He recorded his reactions to and attempts at deciphering these spiritual visions in a work he called the “Exegesis,” reputed to be 8,000 pages - or longer.

Though few have read the work and fewer still have fully understood it, the publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt plans to release “The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick” in two consolidated volumes edited by Jonathan Lethem and Pamela Jackson, a Philip K. Dick scholar, with the first to be released next year.

Mr. Lethem, the author of novels like “Chronic City” and “The Fortress of Solitude,” and who has written frequently on Mr. Dick, said Thursday in a telephone interview that he hesitated to describe ”Exegesis” as a work.

“The title he gave it, ‘Exegesis,’ alludes to the fact that what it really was, was a personal laboratory for philosophical inquiry,” Mr. Lethem said. “It’s not even a single manuscript, in a sense – it’s an amassing or a compilation of late-night all-night sessions of him taking on the universe, mano-a-mano, with the tools of the English language and his own paranoiac investigations.”

In 1974, after a number of novels that explored the notions of personal identity and what it means to be human, Mr. Dick had a series of experiences in which he believed he had information transmitted to his mind by a pink beam of light. He wrote about these and similar occurrences in autobiographical novels like “Valis,” but also contemplated their meanings in personal writings that were not published.

“It’s something that he talked about and created a kind of amazing aura around,” Mr. Lethem said, “so that people have an image of it as if it’s some kind of consummated effort. ‘I’m working on my exegesis.’ But what he really meant was, he was turning his brain inside-out on the page, on a nightly basis, over a period of years of his life.”

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which has also acquired the rights to 39 of Mr. Dick’s previously published works and will release them next year, plans to to release Volume 1 of “Exegesis,” which is about 350 pages, in the fall of 2011, and Volume 2, at the same length, a year later.

Mr. Lethem described the books as a chronicle of the period in which Mr. Dick “pulled himself together again, as a writer and a human being.”

“He’d been launched into outer space by the visions of the early 70s,” Mr. Lethem said, “and he was going to try to come back with the truth – and that, by definition is an impossible task.

He added: “It’s absolutely stultifying, it’s brilliant, it’s repetitive, it’s contradictory. It just might contain the secret of the universe.”

Many thanks to Ragle Gumm for the post on his Blog giving us the heads up! Having the Exegesis will certainly inspire paintings throughout my entire lifetime!

And the beat goes on...

2010-04-17T01:48:00.000-07:00

Sadly, my dear agent and friend Heather Galler has decided to stop being an agent and focusing on her own art. I will miss working with her. But the good news is that I am once again on the Margaret Blanchett Gallery, and my latest piece is now available on her ebay store. Go check it out!

This new painting is called WARRIOR SPIRIT and looks GREAT on the wall! Painted on the sides and doesn't require framing, though it is up to the buyer how they want to display it.

Here's hoping the NEW era will bring, you know, GREAT stuff! ;-)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320518845894

So I'm back home...

2010-03-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

I'm back. It's been awhile and I didn't paint much during my vacation. What I did paint I left behind. But the paintings from the previous post are back on sale on eBay, just click on this link to see what's available.
I asked to have those taken down while I was away because I left before shipping out to the gallery but now they're available again, just make an offer.

Had some health issues which kept me from coming back earlier

Annoying

2010-03-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

Ever sell something to someone and then find out it was resold for five times as much as you sold it for? I feel so stupid. If it had been art I'd have been flattered.

Sigh...should've auctioned the darn thing myself.

Anyway...hope to start a new batch of paintings soon. Need to use up the large canvases.

Fröhliche Weihnachten! A Very Mengele Christmas Tree!

2009-12-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Ho Ho Ho!! These are my last offerings of the year!
This minotaur painting is called "Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260520109820

And this one is called "Novelty Act"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370303548302

My paintings are consistently going up higher in value so here's a
chance to snap up these at a real bargain!
I also worked on a collaboration with Margaret Blanchett, my agent called it "A Tree for the Dead" but I like to call it "A Very Mengele Christmas Tree".
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370302488261
I'm very happy with the collaboration and the way it turned out.

In any case, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christian Mengele

Novelty Act

2009-12-09T09:44:00.001-08:00

"Novelty Act"

SOLD

FLOW MY TEARS, THE POLICEMAN SAID

2009-12-01T01:13:00.000-08:00

This painting is part of my Philip K. Dick series, art inspired by my favourite author of all time. In spite of its taking the title of a particular novel, this painting is also inspired by UBIK and some of his short stories.

Now for sale on at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260520109820

75% OFF!

2009-11-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

75% OFF sale!! For the next 23 hours!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260509100994

HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION

2009-11-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

This painting is titled Human Experimentation. It's ultimately about relationships. I haven't been updating the blog because I have been investing too much time in taking care of my health and fitness goals. But I was inspired to create this after some deep conversations with friends. I'll be going away for Christmas, and need to create a few more pieces before leaving so people can buy some of my art as Christmas gifts...this painting is now on eBay. My agent has it up for 21 million dollars but I think she will entertain an offer.

SOLD 11/21/2009

AT MIDNIGHT I WILL DRAG AWAY YOUR SOUL

2009-11-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

A new painting in the ever-popular square format!

A lot of people collect mermaid paintings. I think mermaids are a silly idea what with their impossible anatomy yet the legends about them, including Ulysses and the Sirens, are fascinating. I doubt a human could get laid with a mermaid unless the writers cheated like in Splash and Little Mermaid and allowed the character to develop legs. This painting actually takes a cue from the infamous Fiji Mermaid presented for years by P.T. Barnum. The title comes yet another Jose (there's an accent on that "e" but I'll be darned if I'm going to look for the right freakin' key combination to type it) Mojica Marins "Coffin Joe" movie, "At Midnight I Will Drag Away Your Soul" (A Meia Noite Levarei A Sua Alma).
I did often wonder, why at midnight? Why not drag it away now and be done with it? I guess it's a better title than "i think i might as well drag away your soul right now since i got nothing better to do and i wanna be home at midnight".
Now for sale on eBay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260500724923

TONIGHT I WILL INCARNATE IN YOUR CADAVER

2009-10-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

The Day of the Dead is coming and this painting blends my usual style with traditional mexican folk art "sugar skulls". This piece is entitled "ESTA NOITE ENCARNAREI NO TEU CADAVER" (Tonight I Will Incarnate in your Cadaver"") after the movie by Brazilian director José Mojica Marins (Coffin Joe/Zé do Caixão).
The importance of this work is that it's my first sugar skull painting. I loved the end result and might do another eventually but this is the first and if you want to collect it you'll have to go to eBay. Here's your link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260492856928

MUSCLE APPRECIATION

2009-10-17T21:32:00.001-07:00

"Muscle Appreciation" is now on auction on eBay starting at a mere penny!
This was actually the concept that later became the painting "Girl Likes Muscles". I decided to flesh out the original a bit and I liked the way it turned out. I used some iridescent gold paint with extra gold pigment powder and that doesn't show very well on the photo. It looks great in real life and this is a must-have!
On ebay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260492850624

Warrior Spirit

2009-10-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Dakkster: The Warrior Spirit of Halmstad! My latest painting is being auctioned off on eBay starting at a one penny. No excuse not to bid now! ;-) This painting is about that fighting spirit that can overcome any amount of obstacles even when the body is week. It celebrates unbending integrity and an exhilarating passion. Dakka, or as he is known in Scandinavia nowadays, Dakkster, is the symbol of ultimate human heroism, nobility, strength and INTEGRITY.

Available here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260492407316

Canvas prints for auction!

2009-10-15T03:00:00.001-07:00

We are selling actual CANVAS GICLEE PRINTS of my paintings on eBay! See all available listings here:
http://desc.shop.ebay.com/findfolkart/m.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=mengele&LH_Auction=1

Prints on textured Canvas look exquisite, beautiful, impressive and elegant. Canvas Prints do not need to be framed with protective glass so the image can be seen clearly without bothersome glares. The natural texture of the canvas gives to the print the look and feel of an original painting. Also, Canvas Prints are tougher and far more durable than paper prints. These prints are being auctioned starting at one penny each!!

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

2009-09-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say I'm now being represented by agent and artist Heather Galler and she's starting to list a small selection of my paintings on eBay! I'm very excited about being represented by someone with her connections and fame, and to start off we're auctioning this HUGE painting starting at ONE PENNY!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260482838338

I think it's great that she's now dealing my paintings and you can expect a lot more people will be collecting from now on! Heather is an amazing woman and I am very grateful for all she's doing for my art career!

New Management Coming Soon

2009-09-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all, as most of you know my eBay sales are managed by my artist friend and manager Maggie Blanchett. Well, this will be changing over this week as both she and I are going to start being managed by a bigger agent! :o) This is an exciting move for me, so after all my current items sell on eBay, it will be time to start selling for more money elsewhere.

The point of this post is that I have three paintings still for sale on eBay. I would suggest to my collectors to buy them now while they're still inexpensive because, with all the publicity I'll be getting it's possible you won't be seeing low prices like these on my art. So here's the link to Maggie's eBay store:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Maggie-Blanchett-Fine-Arts
For some last minute shopping. These will be the last paintings of mine sold on there and I hope they go to deserving homes. I also have a signed print with COA for sale, it's currently at $10. The regular price is $50.
As they say, good luck and happy bidding! :o)

Girl Likes Muscle

2009-09-16T21:47:00.001-07:00

Maybe not all women are turned on by muscular guys but the one on this painting definitely is. ;-) This painting is very intense and vibrant and I think it needs to be seen in person to be truly appreciated. The photos don't do it justice, I think this is one of the most colourful paintings I've ever made. Note to collectors: I rarely place feminine figures on my paintings with so much prominence. I think this makes the painting a rarity.

On sale now at eBay! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220481346453

Den Osynlige

2009-09-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220479942828
The 2002 swedish movie 'The Invisible' (Den Osynlige) was simply amazing in my opinion. This painting was made right after watching it. Some of it was inspired by the scene where Niklas gets visited by the sparrow spirit. I can't recommend the american remake, which in my opinion not only was poorly acted but robbed the original of its relevance and greater spiritual meaning.
It was a recommendation from my best friend, who I miss dearly..hope he will come back soon. :(

On auction at eBay.

UNGEZOGENE TURISTEN!

2009-09-11T20:10:00.001-07:00

NEW painting on eBay starting at ONE PENNY!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220479479037

This painting is actually based on a funny story a friend told me about tourists being incredibly rude and ticking off the locals in Denmark. The revenge of the locals was to stick fish inside the bags and cars of random tourists when they weren't looking. I don't know if it's true but it inspired me to do this.

I decided to have my manager auction this starting at one cent. I just think it would be nice to have some affordable art out there.

THE ECONOMY PART I: A Painting for a penny!

2009-09-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! The world economy is going down the drain and to "celebrate" I have asked my agent to sell my latest on eBay starting at ONE PENNY with NO RESERVE! If you ever wanted a Christian Mengele painting but thought you could never afford one, well, thanks to this economy now you can! ;-) "The Economy Part 1" is acrylic, enamel paint and oil paintstick on a 30x40 inches deep gallery wrapped canvas!

For sale at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220478645186

FREE MARKET

2009-08-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

I'm a strong believer in laissez-faire capitalism and the free market. My presidential candidate was Ron Paul. As I see the world foolishly embracing the evil of socialism, this painting demands less government interference and the return of individual rights. In other words, the true American value of LIBERTY.

This new 30"x40"work will be up on ebay starting 6:45PM tonight. See it at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220473269851

STOCKHOLM

2009-08-14T15:00:00.001-07:00

Stockholm! Land of meatballs and that syndrome thing! Beautiful archipelago city in beautiful SWEDEN! This painting is a tribute to the city and to my great friend who once had a love in Stockholm...He's actually from Halmstad. This painting ships FREE to Sweden, Europe and the USA!

See if you can spot Nils Holgersson ;-)

Now on eBay at this link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220467002982

The Will to Power

2009-08-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Der Wille zur Macht is ein Gedanke Friedrich Nietzsches, der von ihm zum ersten Mal in Also sprach Zarathustra vorgestellt und in allen nachfolgenden Büchern zumindest am Rande erwähnt wird. Seine Anfänge liegen in den psychologischen Analysen des menschlichen Machtwillens in der Aphorismensammlung Morgenröte. Nietzsche führte ihn in seinen nachgelassenen Notizbüchern ab etwa 1885 umfassender aus.

The latest entry in my Nietzschean series. The Will to Power is a reference to the idea of Friedrich Nietzsche, which first appeared in Also Spake Zarathustra, and all his subsequent works. The will to power describes what Nietzsche believed to be the main driving force in man; achievement, ambition, the striving to reach the highest possible position in life, these are all manifestations of the will to power. This painting is influenced by this concept, although I personally disagree with the use of power to dominate others. I believe that those who seek nothing but power over others are in reality enslaving themselves and living life second-hand.

On ebay now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220472536052

Pork Chop Sandwiches

2009-08-10T13:22:00.001-07:00

"PORK CHOP SANDWICHES" celebrates classic cinema and jazz, and is a joyful tribute to such great directors as Frank Capra, Elia Kazan, Howard Hawks, John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and the greatest of them all, Orson Welles. It presents you with a glimpse into an era long gone, a golden age which will never return.

Update: SOLD!

A Sense of Life!

2009-07-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

The cerebral explanation is that a sense of life is a pre-conceptual equivalent of metaphysics, an emotional, subconsciously integrated appraisal of man and of existence. Life is the highest possible value a man can hold, and living that life the best he can is the only moral course.

"But neither life nor happiness can be achieved by the pursuit of irrational whims. Just as man is free to attempt to survive in any random manner, but will perish unless he lives as his nature requires, so he is free to seek his happiness in any mindless fraud, but the torture of frustration is all he will find, unless he seeks the happiness proper to man. The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live." - John Galt's Speech (by Ayn Rand)

This painting celebrates man's heroic pursuit of true happiness in life.

UPDATE 8/5/2009: SOLD!

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL

2009-07-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

"Beyond Good and Evil" is a work by Friedrich Nietzsche, first published in 1886. I do not agree with many of his points in the book but I understand its literary importance. I made this painting with this volume in mind. I had already painted 'The Noble Soul' inspired by Nietzsche and now I complement the work with 'Beyond Good and evil'.
There are many Nietzschean themes in this painting, I'll let the viewer find and interpret them. One of my favourite novels, "The Fountainhead", borrowed a lot from Nietszche, without totally buying into his views. Nevertheless, the influence was there and I felt the need to explore it.

Painting is 36x48, on auction at eBay this week with free shipping to the USA and Europe.

Jeff Hughart and I have spoken of doing a collaborative work. I look forward to this. I'm a big admirer of his work, which can be seen at http://www.jeffhughart.com. We don't know when it will happen, but it will happen.

UPDATE: 7/30/2009 SOLD!

The Virtue of Selfishness

2009-07-12T00:48:00.001-07:00

The Virtue of Selfishness is now up for auction on eBay with FREE international shipping. It's a statement against mindless collectivism and mob mentality. We are all unique individuals but for some reason society tries very hard to make us all the same. These days the words "altruism" and "selflessness" have acquired a positive meaning which, in their original form, they could never deserve. Altruism, selflessness and self-sacrifice are immoral and destructive. They were the principles behind communism and fascism. Of course, for selfishness to be a virtue it must be a moral selfishness, not petty immature selfishness. The exact meaning of selfishness must be understood as "concern with one's own interests". A virtue should secure and protect one's own rights and values, therefore selfishness is a virtue.
I just would like to make a distinction: Immoral Selfishness would be a regard to your own welfare to the disregard of the welfare others. That has become the most widely used form of the term "selfishness" and is not the point of this painting.

*UPDATED 7/14/2009* SOLD

Sculpture on Hold

2009-06-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

I'm putting my sculpture on hold because I haven't worked on anything else at all this month. KING LEONIDAS is up on auction at discount. I need to start making new paintings.

I've put aside my plastic sculpture until august and I'm feeling inspired to do some big canvases this coming month, so watch this space. I'm sorry I haven't blogged much but I got engulfed by my sculpture project and obsessed over it exclusively. I had to pull myself away from it. It was just too much. I never expected it to be this much work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=220445934926

Tribute to Michel Legrand

2009-06-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Took a break from my sculpture to work on a couple small paintings, I made this one while listening to 'Les Demoiselles de Rochefort', my favourite soundtrack. Michel Legrand inspired this painting and when I was young, I was a little like Maxence from the Jacques Demy movie. I think Legrand outdid himself in 'Rochefort', surpassing even his score for 'Parapluies de Cherbourg'.."MICHEL LEGRAND" is now on eBay.

My sculpture is progressing slowly. The base material is plastic, so much care is taken in cutting perfect circles and chamfering edges. I think it will surprise many people when it's ready.

Tomorrow I'm going to buy some Weldon-3 glue to start putting some pieces together. This sculpture is taking up a LOT of my time because I want to get it just right. I'll have Maggie put it on eBay when it's ready, but it won't be cheap. It represents a lot of work.

SOLD!

Sculpture

2009-06-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

I apologise for the lack of updates. I am currently involved in a sculpture project and the level of detail makes it very involved. I estimate the sculpture will be done in over one month, which is when I will be back to painting full time.

Yume wo oikakete subete ga kawaru......

2009-05-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

Time flies. I can't stop time, I just wish I could. It keeps moving forward at a head-spinning pace.
I dreamed of heaven the other night. Beautiful place. As I flew through the skies at night I could see it, golden towers and skyscrapers, houses, roads, everything made of golden light and embedded in the clouds. Several such "islands". And wind went through me instead of hitting my body. There was no real Earth, there was just this mass of clouds, and stars above.

I think some people's idea of heaven must include living in really tall skyscrapers, because I can't see any other reason for putting some in Heaven. I personally wouldn't put that there. I hate living in buildings.

I started a small painting, I think 18x18. I'll put it up on eBay this week. I just wanted to make something a little more affordable for those who'd like to buy a painting but can't afford the $5000 stuff. More on this when I'm finished.

Okay, I made a mix tape. I'm posting it because maybe people wonder what I listen to ;-)

Se piangi, se ridi - Bobby Solo
Non son degno di te - Gianni Morandi
Io Ti Daro Di Piu - Ornella Vanoni
Come te non c'e nessuno - Rita Pavone
Cosa Vuoi Da Me - Michele
Tanta Voglia Di Lei - I Pooh
Ti amo - Umberto Tozzi
Canzone per te - Sergio Endrigo
Io Che Non Vivo - Jimmy Fontana
Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare - Caterina Caselli
L'uomo che non sapeva amare - nico Fidenco
Piangi con me - The Rokes
Le Colline Sono in Fiore - Gigliola Cinquetti
Bella senz'anima - Ricardo Cocciante

I'm also enjoying immensely this album by Kitty Hoff

Halmstad

2009-04-28T17:06:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine sent me a bunch of photos of Halmstad and I thought it looked great. I began to wonder what it would be like there at night. I really miss Europe. Anyway, I started playing some Kitty Hoff jazzy vocals and seeing where the mood took me. This is a case of my painting over an entire painting that wasn't working and creating something I was finally happy with. I've had Maggie put it for sale on inventory here.

I see a bit of Alex Grey in this. It was completely unintentional. It also has references to "Atlas Shrugged", one of the most important literary works in the history of mankind.

Today I finished writing my second book. I'm very happy with it, though I know it needs a lot of editing. In some ways I think it is better than the first.

I ordered a new hard drive for my iMac. I've been looking into how to upgrade it myself, and I think Apple has gone delusional. It's almost as hard as brain surgery. The inside is actually wrapped in some sort of tin foil like a tv dinner. There's a temperature sensor GLUED in place on the hard drive. It's not designed for people who like upgrading.

SOLD!

Art: The Better Idea

2009-04-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

So this last Wednesday I get informed by my friend and manager Maggie that a tv production company from Quebec (that's in Canada for those of you who never heard of it) wants to come interview me en Français for this show they are doing (yes I speak french fluently). As usual I got excited because, you know, I like being on tv to show off my paintings and talk about Neo-expressionism in general. And as usual I was disappointed. I get contacted by the media quite often, at least once every three or four months and usually they only want to talk about something which I have no interest in talking about. They are doing a disservice by not paying attention to the future. All I can say to anyone in the media is, either contact me about my art or leave me alone.

Anyway, moving right along, my latest piece is looking interesting. It should be ready by middle of next week, possibly earlier. The problem is I want to experiment with more texture as I feel my creative process is evolving. I'm looking forward to finishing this.

I've put King Leonidas back on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=220399583167
It had a lot of watchers last time and I have a particular love for that piece. I want it to go to someone who understands the values it extolls.

And the best news of the week: My Navigator is FINALLY fixed! Thank the LORD!

The Noble Soul

2009-04-15T01:40:00.000-07:00

Just finished my latest painting, "The Noble Soul". I used a technique I've only rarely used before with this latest piece and I'll be posting a photo of it tomorrow. I'm glad I was able to work on this painting because I'm going stir crazy most days and I needed to do this.

There is no need to be alive except for living life the most fulfilling way you can. This is my view anyway. However, this is not to say that I'm a hedonist. There is a difference between living meaningfully, and living to satisfy animal urges. A hedonist is not motivated by a desire to live his own human life, but by a wish to live on a sub-human level. This explains why so many insanely rich people find no happiness in life. I cannot live without happiness, and no man can be happy without true fulfillment of his soul.

I had used, in this painting, a quotation which I removed completely and now lies under layers of acrylics, enamel and oil pastels. I removed it because of my disagreement with the philosophy of its author, Friedrich Nietzsche.

Philosophically, Nietzsche is a mystic and an irrationalist.His metaphysics consists of a somewhat “Byronic” and mystically “malevolent” universe; his epistemology subordinates reason to “will,” or feeling or instinct or blood or innate virtues of character. But, as a poet, he projects at times (not consistently) a magnificent feeling for man’s greatness, expressed in emotional, not intellectual, terms.

This is especially true of the quotation I had chosen. I could not endorse its literal meaning: it proclaims an indefensible tenet—psychological determinism. But if one takes it as a poetic projection of an emotional experience (and if, intellectually, one substitutes the concept of an acquired “basic premise” for the concept of an innate “fundamental certainty”), then that quotation communicates the inner state of an exalted self-esteem—and sums up the emotional consequences for which The Fountainhead provides the rational, philosophical base:

“It is not the works, but the belief which is here decisive and determines the order of rank—to employ once more an old religious formula with a new and deeper meaning,—it is some fundamental certainty which a noble soul has about itself, something which is not to be sought, is not to be found, and perhaps, also, is not to be lost.—The noble soul has reverence for itself.—” (Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil.)

This view of man has rarely been expressed in human history. Today, it is virtually non-existent. Yet this is the view with which—in various degrees of longing, wistfulness, passion and agonized confusion—the best of mankind’s youth start out in life. It is not even a view, for most of them, but a foggy, groping, undefined sense made of raw pain and incommunicable happiness. It is a sense of enormous expectation, the sense that one’s life is important, that great achievements are within one’s capacity, and that great things lie ahead.

It is not in the nature of man—nor of any living entity—to start out by giving up, by spitting in one’s own face and damning existence; that requires a process of corruption, whose rapidity differs from man to man. Some give up at the first touch of pressure; some sell out; some run down by imperceptible degrees and lose their fire, never knowing when or how they lost it. Then all of these vanish in the vast swamp of their elders who tell them persistently that maturity consists of abandoning one’s mind; security, of abandoning one’s values; practicality, of losing self-esteem. Yet a few hold on and move on, knowing that that fire is not to be betrayed, learning how to give it shape, purpose and reality. But whatever their future, at the dawn of their lives, men seek a noble vision of man’s nature and of life’s potential.

Sucralose

2009-04-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is the painting I've been meaning to photograph. It's fairly minimalistic but what I really care about is how good it looks on the wall. The painting, entitled "Sucralose", was photographed under harsh sunlight so there is a little bit of glare.

This painting is all about composition and the colour scheme is so simple yet it will match many different decorative styles and wall colours. I will probably sell it at an unusually low price to see if this style pleases my collectors.

I spoke to the representative at Arnott today and he explained I don't need to buy front shocks for my Navigator. Apparently there are springs within the existing front air suspension. He said I just need to have my mechanic deflate them and adjust the torsion. My conversion kit should arrive wednesday, I can hardly wait!

Creativity

2009-04-01T02:42:00.000-07:00

My days and nights are mixed up again. Oddly enough I get the most creative at night. I think this is common. It's also not the best thing in my case because I have SO many ideas, not just for paintings but short stories and movie ideas...it all plays at the same time. The worst problem is I'm really a slow typist. My mind races through ideas way faster than I can write them down. So, too much creativity ends up being too much not done. ;-)

I have a painting that needs some fixing, I thought I'd get it photographed but this ended up not happening. That is because I needed some matte medium and spray fixative to repair it first, and since my car is not fixed I can't go out to buy any. I intend to walk a few miles tomorrow to buy that. In a way, not having the car is making me walk a lot. I ordered a conversion kit for the air suspension, it should be here a week from today. Then I just need to pay the mechanic to install it. I ordered the Lincoln Navigator Air Suspension to Springs conversion kit from Arnott. Cost me $250 because I only bought the rear kit. The front shocks are working fine, it seems.

I can't sleep tonight, I ran out of Tylenol PMs, so I might end up being up all night. Too bad Thomas isn't on MSN, he lives in Sweden so he'd be up and we could have a nice conversation.

I've been watching Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda and really enjoying some of the concepts in the show, especially when the subject is quantum mechanics and the time travel theories. In one episode they decide not to change history simply because they can't be sure which theory is right, the multiple worlds theory or the linear time theory. The end result was that the whole thing is a predestined paradox, meaning that they didn't change time because they were meant to come into the past and do what they did. Wish it had more episodes like that, but the low budget must have made that difficult. One character named Trance reminds me of an old friend of mine, and was likely inspired by Philip K Dick's "The Golden Man". I made a painting based on that story once.

I lost my entire PKD book collection in the move. I hate hate HATE buying the same things over and over again, but oh well. Once my car tribulations are over I'll start buying the books again...for like the third or fourth time.

Thermopylae

2009-03-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

This piece took me a long time to finish, because it seemed to be missing a central theme. Not every painting needs one, but this one did. There are a few layers to this painting, because of my adjustments. But I'm satisfied with the results.

In my description, I say "This painting is about facing unsurmountable odds, the best that you can and believing in yourself. In the end, you'll be remembered for your courage and your enemies for their weakness. This piece contains, among other things, a few references to the battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and a number of Spartans, generally accepted as 300, fought off thousands of persians under the command of King Xerxes."

It's not quite out of my system just yet. ;-) I'm also finishing up a simple composition now, somewhat minimalist and that painting will be photographed and probably uploaded tomorrow. THERMOPYLAE will be for sale on eBay tomorrow, just follow this link after 7PM PST.

On other fronts, my Navigator is still in the shop. It's been stressing me out to the point that I was up until 4AM last night. They were supposed to call me today, but I guess I won't hear from them until monday. I've already looked into replacing the air ride with a coil conversion kit from either Arnott or Strutmasters. Strutmasters seems cheaper. We'll see. I am still blindly hoping it's the relay.

Also: Watched "Savior" (1997). Amazing performance by Dennis Quaid. Very violent in parts yet very beautiful and sad with a message of hope. Not typical Oliver Stone. I could identify with Quaid's character and the movie did not sacrifice one ounce of believability to satisfy conventional movie formulas. Highly recommend if you can endure some pain.

Satchmo!

2009-03-25T21:58:00.001-07:00

I listen to a lot of different music while painting, and sometimes the track I'm listening to influences the images beyond expectation. Such was the case with Louis Armstrong's "Mack The Knife", recorded in 1956. I have learned that it was he who, while improvising, immortalised the name of Lotte Lenya in the lyrics. Brilliant!

As I listened to the song I thought of not only Satchmo's performance in that studio in 1956 but also of the story he was telling. My favourite version of the Brecht play "Threepenny Opera" is "A Opera Do Malandro" by brazilian master wordsmith Chico Buarque, but the versions by Armstrong and later Bobby Darin are my favourite recordings of Mack the Knife.

Enjoy this painting, now for sale on eBay.

King Leonidas

2009-03-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today I bring you "King Leonidas". Anyone who watched "300" and "Meet the Spartans" can see that Leonidas is a mythical archetype of what a man should be like. The 40x30 painting can be purchased here. I might have prints made, I really like this one.

This painting is about celebrating strength and masculinity. It's about being a man. I don't know why being a real man is looked down upon nowadays and demonised by the over-sensitive mainstream media. A real man is not just a war-mongering violent stereotype. Any fool can build up strength, but it takes heart and wisdom to be a real man. Ultimately a real man is one who makes sacrifices for his family and provides for his wife and children the best way he can, without neglecting them. In the old days of Sparta this was celebrated and men were held to high standards. So this painting is for the King Leonidas in you, because when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Or goes antiquing, if they're so inclined. ;-)

The Return of King Minotaur

2009-03-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

I've finally received the archival prints for KING MINOTAUR and they're beautiful! To celebrate, I've put one up on Etsy and one up on eBay. The eBay one is slightly cheaper but it's on auction for 10 days.

KING MINOTAUR - the original painting - came in a wave of inspiration during my 8 month exile last year. I was very satisfied with the painting but even more interesting was the effect it had on my collectors. It sold on auction and ever since, I've had people ask me if I would sell them prints of the painting. It's simple yet raw, colourful yet masculine, stylised and gritty. I knew it had to be the first one I'd have made into prints.

Looking at them now I can tell this was definitely a great choice. The matte prints look beautiful!

Today I started a new underpainting. Let's see where that will lead. This morning I had to carry a very large and heavy painting to the UPS store by hand since I still have not fixed the Navigator. I should have named that car "Christine" like Stephen King's literary creation.

Curse of the Navigator

2009-03-19T00:02:00.000-07:00

The expense of repairing my car will keep me from acquiring art supplies I somewhat need to keep going. I'm not kidding when I say moving back to LA in February cost me every penny I made in the last 6 months. But I'm glad to be back, I just need to start networking with the local galleries again and try to move some inventory. And also I have a few digital art supplies to buy as well. I'm looking forward to a Wacom Intuos3 tablet and an oversized scanner. Maggie is working on our children's book at the moment and she has a decade of experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop etc. and I think the mixture of traditional illustration and digital art will look really good. I read a children's book online not long ago named "Alena" and while the illustrations were really good, they would have looked even better if the illustrator had actually illustrated by hand instead of relying so much on digital tools. A good example of compromise is the work of John Nez, right now my favourite children's books illustrator. He utilises traditional methods and digital art and I'm very impressed with the results.

Anyway, what happened to my car was that the air suspension stopped working. I suspected it might just be the relay, but I might end up having to repair the entire suspension because when it stopped working I was miles from home. So I drove all the way home banging up and down on the axels. Not good, considering the size of the Navigator. I miss the Miata at times but there was no way to carry around large canvases in that.

Currently on eBay I have the painting "The Big Snit", which I post on this entry. It's named after the Richard Condie film of the same name. I love Condie's work and have probably seen his entire filmography by now.

Etsy

2009-03-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

So today I finally added an item to my Etsy account at a great discount to see what sort of attention it brings. I've been told that the clientele is a lot different from eBay. We'll see what happens.

The painting I chose for Etsy is one called "Gold Standard". As sometimes is the case with my paintings I've decided to juxtapose very adult political themes to very child-like themes. This painting revisits several of my childhood daydreams from a time when I never even imagined how terrifying adult life would be. I don't want to explain it away, just look at the painting. ;-)

My Etsy store can be seen here: http://christianmengele.etsy.com

Also, my car is messed up. The rear suspension is broken. I should never have bought that thing.