What happens when you are friends with an artist?

You get a painting! 😉

I did this wild number for one of my closest friends, a compilation of moments, meanings, memories and so on. I had painted something for him a few years back, but as I got better at painting, that painting looked worse to me. So, I insisted I take it back and repaint it and this is the result. There are actually a couple elements in here still from the original painting!

Now let me break down some of the elements of this painting for you. We’ll start up in the upper left-hand corner, work our way across and then down. In the upper left-hand corner is an image of Bob Marley, iconic Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician. Bob Marley has been revered as one of the pioneers of reggae and a global symbol of Jamaican music, culture and identity. During his extremely respectable career he was outspoken in advocating for the legalization of marijuana and encouraged and strengthened bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and ethnic groups of African descent. My friend and I both share a great love and respect for his music and the legend that he was, as well as remains today through his music that lives on. This was the first piece that remained from the original painting I had made for him.

Each element is separated by colourful design patterns. The face peeking through next to Bob Marley was pulled from an Indian design pattern, as my friend has roots in India. To the right of this, you can see red paint with what look like watermelon seeds and this is nodding to times we’ve hung out at the beach with delicious, fresh watermelon; we always eat the whole thing.

Returning to the left-hand side of the painting, I placed an Om symbol. The Om symbol is a spiritual symbol in Indian religions, as well as an incantation. It is said to represent the Brahman, or the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism, who is omnipotent, omnipresent and the source of all life, the creation of the universe. Om serves to open and clear the mind, and connect us to a deeper meaning, and level of spiritual awareness, assisting us to be present and expand our energy.

The Om symbol is surrounded by a pattern that alludes to palm tree leaves and other tropical plants. My friend loves to lay at the beach, and has always sent me a photo of his feet by a palm tree and ocean, with a corona beer with a lime in hand. This is why you have the corona bottle label in the painting, which actually was from the original painting before it was repainted to look like it does now.

The writing below, surrounded by gold, is Sanskrit and can be translated to “friendship”. Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-European language of India, in which many Hindu scriptures and classical Indian epic poems are written, and from which many northern Indian languages are derived.

Taking up the centre of the painting is a woman. We both have an appreciation for the mystery, minds and beauty of women. She is covered in tattoos; mom, because we love our moms as we should, a snake as snakes symbolize creative life force, and the rest including the background are simply pieces taken from different Indian patterns.

I would say I hope he does not miss the original one but, really, it looked like sh** haha, but thankfully - and kindly - he loved it then, and he loves it even more now.