war study (ravages) Painting

As an artist, I hope to bring attention to real challenges humanity is facing and must overcome to survive another century. This piece is a study for a series in response to the brutality wrought upon the individual psyche by modern warfare. A dejected figure marred by black strokes indicates trauma in the aftermath of violence, terrorism, and war. I am haunted by a widespread disconnect between recreational, virtual violence and the real ravages of war. I tried to portray war as a sickly scourge stripped of any glorification, utilizing 'personification of a concept' as a method to create a figurative understanding of the topic. Afterall, each individual chooses to enact or resist the urge to violence. I build my paintings from the finest materials. I use premium oil paints based in walnut oil on artist-grade linen. In this case the linen is mounted on a maple wood artist plank. I've framed the piece in custom-milled black walnut wood. Mounting wire is installed.