When I painted this illustration I had a clear idea in mind, but art directors never warmed up to it. This piece had been around awhile without being used, or so I thought until I was staying at a bed & breakfast in Sedona, Arizona, where I saw my illustration printed in a local magazine. I read the article alongside my picture but couldn’t figure out the connection, the reason the magazine’s editor had selected this piece of art.
Do you have an idea what’s going on in this picture? I bet someone can figure it out.
No idea. The dead branch looks like JFK..
ReplyDeletecorporate America...As an old HR professional, I say he's "reducing overhead expenses to meet the rising cost of service", the nicer way of saying he's chopping heads.
ReplyDeletePruning the deadwood?
ReplyDeleteI assumed it was someone trimming the fat.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shelly....pruning dead wood. The other "branches" are alive and blooming, but not the one being trimmed.
ReplyDeleteS
Cutting off dead wood from either a family tree or corporate tree.
ReplyDeleteNo, but it is disturbing.
ReplyDeleteCranky Old MAn
downsizing? pruning dead wood as laughingmom says? Looks like a corporate maneuver to me.
ReplyDeleteProduce or die, it's the corporate way.
ReplyDeleteClueless. As usual.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
all those neighbors who have lawn services are happy he is finally doing something about his yard.
ReplyDeleteWell, history comes to mind and I am weak in that department. Which reminds me of how much and why I enjoy good historical fiction. Anywho, in this 'family tree' people all look to be darker skinned, except for JKF, who is of course dead, pruned out. My mind says that it has something to do with returning to our original roots. Returning to the nature of things. A reduction of 'white' power. Which is most likely way off. But hey, it was fun guessing.
ReplyDeleteHaven't a clue on this one, but loved the comments.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)
Corporate pruning, I'd say. I'm curious to know what that article was about.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't know what is going on but I do know I'm glad not to be one of the people in that tree.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...it looks political.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great painting!!! I dont know what it means but that middle branch has a kinda Mick Jagger thing going on.
ReplyDeleteFascinating painting. Is the man with the pruning shears, Alex Haley. I'm thinking maybe Quincy Jones if not Haley. Must have something to do with roots. The top left figures looks a bit like Richard Pryor. Not sure of the others, though the branch being pruned, looks like it is Bobby or John Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteIf the top character is Pryor, then it is not a statement about political growth. Intrigued to hear more about it.
I haven't a clue. Hope you are going to tell us about the article. Hope you got paid for your work?
ReplyDeleteHmm...not sure. Pruning away the dead wood so the rest of the plant can flourish? A dream, perhaps, withered on the vine? It seems political. Not sure why the snipper looks so happy.
ReplyDeleteDown-sizing.
ReplyDeleteWell, the family tree is clearly the Kennedy family tree (look at the teeth!). As to who is doing the pruning - looks a bit like Kissinger, I think.
ReplyDeleteBranches of a family tree? Everyone in a suit. Then I look at your casual profile picture. They do look like famous people. The second guy from the left resembles Steinfeld. Maybe a version of the grim reaper. Obviously I have no idea, but I'm anxious to know your explanation and what the article said. You are talented.
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of the dead wood?
ReplyDeleteWhat did Al Roker and Jerry Seinfeld ever do to annoy this man?
ReplyDeleteAs with others here, I'd say it's a businessman pruning the deadwood.
ReplyDeleteHm, this is highly intriguing. It looks to me as though he's clipping off the branch that most resembles himself. I hope you'll offer explanation. It's a wonderful, though-provoking painting.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
I have nominated you for The Sunshine Award because your blog brings sunshine to my world, even on rainy days. See this post http://sarchasm2.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/the-sunshine-award/
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you who offered ideas about the subject of this peculiar picture. Many of you came up with the notion in my head when I painted it, and some of you came up with interesting and better ideas. I'm amazed at how many of you saw familiar faces in the tree. I wasn't trying to make the faces resemble anyone in particular, and the fact that these faces looked like celebrities might be a reason why this illustration didn't sell very well. My idea for this piece was "cutting away the dead wood."
ReplyDeleteSo you were left out on a limb.
ReplyDelete