Bad Mutha Eraserhead 2010

Dave Macdowell conjured this image with paint, but when exactly, who knows? The whole piece is basically purple, a monochromatic vibe that’s a little unsettling, and maybe even a little bit Lynchian. Looking at the hair, the marks are almost scribbled, but controlled, creating this mad scientist vibe, and its fun to see how the artist has worked to render a three-dimensional form on a flat surface. I keep coming back to the hair, it's like an explosion! The texture is achieved with what must have been a thin brush, but it gives such body to the overall composition. You can see the way the artist allows the paint to drip and blend, embracing a sense of chaos and unpredictability. And those eyes! There's something of Francis Bacon in this. He also found inspiration in film, and wasn't afraid to let his work lean into the grotesque. The result is not always pretty, but it always stays with you.