About the painting, A MINUTE BEFORE MIDNIGHT IN AMERICA
A MINUTE BEFORE MIDNIGHT IN AMERICA __ 2022 _ Oil _ on Canvas _ 40in x 30in
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In a clearing, two animals fight each other for a position of dominance within their herd & all the while, whilst the stronger one weakens the lesser,
leaving him incapable of future battle, he also weakens himself in the process. And all that while, a lion waits just beyond the clearing for his opportunity ~ The lion does not sleep . . . . . . . . . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The painting is nearly entirely black with navy infused into it. My palette generally focuses on shades of pinks and blues. The colors for babies. But yet in the navy darkness, I’ve introduced light. It’s a strange glow that you can see and the leaves & off shoots of a growing plant stretch upwards reaching for the source of this divine light. Yes, there’s darkness. It may envelop us . . ..
(from Art in America),
“But light shines on the world, and when we see beauty we see existence bathing in this glorious light and reflecting it. Every plant reaches for this light. And as blossoming flowers appear in the darkness they suggest that, as long as there is life, hope also still exists."
PROVENANCE:
MAY/JUNE 2023: ART IN AMERICA
JUNE 2023: THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM, XXII Japan International Art Exchange Exhibition, A juried invitational show of Contemporary Fine Art
Additional Information :
"A Minute Before Midnight in America" was one of seven large oil paintings to have been selected by the JapaneseChinese&U.S. Curators to be included in 'The USA Exhibition.” The show opened on June 15th, 2023 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art and ran through the 20th of June. The other works which were juried into the show to be seen in Tokyo were: Saoirse's Garradh (about the beauty & glory of nature); Dreaming in The Magical Forest of Zduhàc No. 1 and No. 2 (about superhuman males); Gone, Amber Waves (about worldwide famine);
Floating on The Breath of The Wind (about loss); and Romantic Interlude À Leanna (about what is truly important ~ love).
A Minute Before Midnight in America:
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
(Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh)
(Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh)
(Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh)
(Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Near the village, the peaceful village
. . … on the verge of collapse
The lion sleeps tonight
. . … preparing for the attack
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Rrr, la la la weeoh aweem away
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling,
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling,
The lion sleeps tonight
Wah oh oh, wah oh oh, wah oh wimoweh
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem awa
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
The lion never sleep, he is watching . . .
(I wonder, what time is it now?) 
* Original available June 2024.
Serious inquiries only.
(& a special thx to M.B. for the AiA eloquence)
