The Words of John Lennon and The Beatles Collage

Mixed-media collage (Archival prints on paper & canvas, painted canvas) on stretched canvas This portrait was created by printing the different elements onto archival papers and canvas. I then cut all the component parts with a scalpel, so that the component parts would precisely interlock like a jig saw puzzle. I then built up the layers to create a relief effect. This portrait is part of an ongoing series of work“Thoughts and Words". This series began as a personal search for truth and guidance and evolved into a passion for immersing myself into the worlds of great leaders, thinkers and creatives. I have found what feels like an infinite source of insight, wisdom and inspiration, from incredibly diverse and captivating fields of human endeavor. Along the way I realized that, in addition to capturing their likeness, I wanted to weave their thoughts and words into the portrait, thereby adding another dimension to the work - and opening a window into the mind of the person being portrayed. Many of John Lennon's quotations have been embedded in this work, as well as lyrics from The Beatle's songs. When I look at this work, the songs play in my mind, giving the work its own soundtrack. Other elements that have been incorporated include a map of Liverpool, as well as the sheet music for "Let it be". John Lennon said, "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination." This seems to me to be incredibly profound.