I painted this at the time OJ Simpson was sitting in court a few days after his long drive in his Bronco. I remember looking at his image on the tube. His face. What was in his face? Drawn and stricken but emotionless.
Meantime, in the bottom left quadrant is a dark face masked like a super hero. In the bottom right quarter is a "blonde" skull. His half is surrounded by flames. Flowers fill the nooks and crannies on the right half.
The title is inspired by an ancient German folk tale of a poor lone Match Girl. An orphan, she sells matches to make a living for herself. On a particularly icy cold snowy day, as night approaches, she has not been able to sell her matches for the day. So cold is the young girl. She decides to light one for herself. Oh, the warmth. One more lit match. She is mesmerized by this tiny flame. This tiny link to life. She reminisces of happy times with her mother and father. How she misses them.
The match has gone out. All alone the biting cold darkness grips her. One more pleasant moment, another match is lit. Then another. She yearns for her family. Soon she has no matches left to burn. She lays down in the snow. So sleepy. She was found the next morning frozen to death, but a hint of a smile permanently etched on her face.
What distracts you?
"If you are not completely satisfied with the painting, return it in reasonably good condition within 30 days for a full refund minus what it cost me to ship it to you."
