Original Painting for Sale by Artist
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Painting Size:
50 W x 40 L x 1.5 D Centimeters
19.7 W x 15.7 L x .6 D Inches
 
I consider Pixel Dreams for Sale to be my best work of art created in 2021. She haunted me for months; I was actually scared to really lay out all of my feelings as an American expat. And rightfully so, as it remains one of my most controversial pieces. 
 
But this painting, it was much needed therapy as I worked out what it means to truly examine where you come from. With the help of some superb inspirations that ranged from Prince and the Revolution to the White House Press Conferences to Eminem to V for Vendetta, I was able to unplug the red, white and blue IV drip that has been feeding my so-called patriotism for decades only to pessimistically realize… the truth. 
 
To quote V, “And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense.” 
 
To quote Prince and the Revolution, “There must be something wrong with the machinery. Where is my love … Tell me, where has it gone? Somebody please, please tell me what the hell is wrong. Until I find the righteous one, #ComputerBlue.”
 
To quote The Newsroom, “It's not the greatest country in the world, professor, that's my answer … We sure used to be. We stood up for what was right! We fought for moral reasons, we passed and struck down laws for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbors, we put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars, and we acted like men. We aspired to intelligence; we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior. We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't scare so easy. And we were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed. By great men, men who were revered. The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one—America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.”
 
To quote Eminem and Rhianna, “Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? Well, that's alright, because I like the way it hurts. Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? Well, that's alright, because I love the way you lie. I love the way you lie.”
 
To quote George Carlin, "It’s called ‘the American Dream’ ’cause you have to be asleep to believe it.”
 
This painting is chock-full of my emotional responses to censorship, extreme capitalism, political theater, state-issued propaganda and an inability to turn your back on a toxic relationship. I find most people love the idea of America, and who wouldn't. But there are realities that most people choose to ignore so as not to poison their roots and history. How can you say you love something, if you're disillusioned and don't face the ugly truths hidden behind the majestic and hypnotizing promises of the American dream.
 
Is America for sale to the highest bidder? Do the stars hold in thier pixel tears so to comply with the woke generation? Do the stripes bleed as the elite who hold the gold control the nation? And knowing all of this, why and how could I love the land I owe my alegience to? It's a mystery but it still has a very powerful hold over me. 
 
But I don’t want to put you in a box. We all have lived different lives and have had different experiences that shift our focal priorities and unique perspectives. The language you translate this piece into makes no difference to me so long as your interpretation makes you feel something. 
 
When you look at this painting, what do you see? What do you feel? What do you remember? What is the first song that comes to your mind? 
 
I’d love to hear your interpretation. Please consider shooting me a message with your special translation. xoxo