“Loaded Guns Attract/Her Eyes Bestial Stars.”

This painting was originally a highly personal and custom present for someone once special, an ultra-accurate portrait of her without actually looking like her (visually) at all. The cultural symbols are that of that person's cultural interests, the principal color (the very tube of paint) hand-picked by her. I provided the color compliments and associations, the original antique revolvers are from one of my favourite Saudek photographs (an untitled piece,) and most of the lyrics of 'You, and me, and Rainbows' (Tear Garden,) are visually explained here, one of her favourite songs she simply hadn't heard yet. Also in here are our astrological symbols (more than once each,) sexual metaphors, fetishes, and odes to Renaissance paintings. There are upwards of 80 hidden allusions and symbols displayed here, but these are all I'm willing to divulge, in addition to one more : The original idea of the Roman Numerals at the top of the painting was supposed to be 'VIII,' a reference to the lyrics of the aforementioned song, and secondary, the Tarot card for 'Strength,' an overall theme of vindication and victory, something I intially believed the original recipient of this never-given gift should be represented as, something that I felt needed to be expressed in the person outright. Such assured insight later was doubted, which makes the following relevant, and the only reason this painting isn't presently destroyed. I'll explain...

On an honest and complete accident while painting, and as well as I know Roman Numerals, I made the curious mistake of painting the 'X' (10) in front of the 'III' (3) instead of the 'V' (5) in front of the 'III' (3) which, as a result, makes the Roman Numeral 'XIII' (13.)

By complete accident, and what later would prove to be utter irony, this piece of art that, until this moment of posting it on my site, unseen by the intended subject, bears the Roman Numeral corresponding to the Tarot card of Death.

At the time of the mistake, this person and this painting was an expression of 'Life,' though dark and stormy as it may seem in style, application, and execution. Now, well, it's quite different, and I left the 'mistake' as is, accrediting the messenger.

It's not so much a painting to me, anymore, as a bolted door that was never meant to be locked.

Who could see that coming?