A Tale from the Crypt; Class Trip 1997

Jack Davis gave us "A Tale from the Crypt; Class Trip" with ink and watercolor, using juicy lines and drippy washes. It’s like he’s splattering the scene with a wink, embracing the messiness of storytelling itself. I’m drawn to the watery quality of the colors. The way the browns and blues bleed into each other gives this piece a visceral, almost decaying feel. Check out the hag’s fingers, how they’re drawn with such grotesque detail, yet the watercolor keeps it from being too heavy. It’s like he's saying, "Yeah, it's gross, but it's also just paint." Davis’s process reminds me of Robert Crumb, another artist who wasn't afraid to get down and dirty with his materials and subject matter. Both artists create worlds that are disturbing and hilarious, using the freedom of their mediums to create something that's all their own. Art is like that, an ongoing conversation where artists borrow, steal, and riff off each other, making something new in the process.