21
21 (2009)
18½×24 Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
Turning twenty-one is the ultimate milestone into adulthood, a rite of passage meant for wild, unforgettable celebration. Growing up in a conservative small town, my own milestone was pretty quiet, so 21 gave me the perfect chance to live vicariously through my artwork and recreate the ultimate "what-may-have-been." I wanted to capture the absolute euphoria of the big night out, complete with a fresh birthday tattoo, visible as the Roman numerals "XXI" on his left bicep, and plenty of drinks at the bar. Framed between the muscular legs of a hunky dancer doing a private bump-and-grind routine right on the bar top, the birthday boy looks up with a buzzed, ecstatic smile. Bringing the chaotic energy of the nightlife scene to life with flashing club lights and deep shadows was an absolute blast, creating a fun tribute to a legendary night out.
