Venom

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 2023

My featured art piece this week, Venom, is no ordinary mask. It's a mask that's all about playtime, and boy, does it know how to have fun! It's got a snake in its mouth, and just to keep things amusing, it's also wearing a bright red nose. I mean, come on, it's a clown! But wait, there's more! The ears on this thing are like something out of a wild cartoon – wiggly and whimsical. Sure, they might not be great for hearing, but who needs that when you're here for a good time?

Now, let's talk about the neckline. Sharp points, folks! But hold your horses, it's not about scaring the pants off you; it's about keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering what delightful surprises are in store.

But here's the real kicker: those cheeks! The mask sports two faces – one tragic, one comic – and they've got this sly, mischievous look that tells you there's more to them than meets the eye. It's not just tragedy, and it's not just comedy; it's a mashup of both, a rollercoaster of emotions right on your face!

Now, what really tickles my fancy about Venom is the combo of fright and fun. It's like the ultimate party trick! Just like those classic theater masks of tragedy and comedy, it's here to entertain and bewitch. It's got a little bit of everything – a dash of humanity, a pinch of fun, and a sprinkle of something devilish lurking in the background.

And if you want to see where the mischief lies, look no further than those eyes. You know what they say, right? The eyes are the windows to the soul. And boy, do these eyes have stories to tell. They're the real deal-breakers, the ones that spill the beans about the whole shebang.

So, let me share a little secret with you. I work my artistic magic to blend these two sides together – the fun and the devilish. It's a jolly dance of colors and strokes that keeps me going until I've got that perfect balance. I revel in each side separately, pouring my heart into every detail. But it's when I bring them together that the real magic happens. It's like a party in my studio, where kindness and mischief share the dance floor.

Now, you might be wondering, what's the deal with masks in our lives? Well, when a mask covers our face, it's not just hiding our features; it's hiding our feelings, our personality – everything! With a mask, you can be anyone or anything you want. You can be kind, you can be mischievous, you can be the star of a written play, or the improvisational genius in a spontaneous riff. You can play with your own perception or exaggerate those quirky, hidden parts of your character. You can laugh uproariously: "Hee Hee! Hee!" Or you can spring a message on someone: "A Hal A Hal A Hal Gotcha!"

So, there you have it, my friends – Venom, the life of the party in the world of masks. It's all about the joy of play, the thrill of mixing fright and fun, and the delightful dance between kindness and mischief. So go ahead, put on your favorite mask, and join the carnival of emotions – because with masks, life's a never-ending, jovial masquerade!