The Magic Monkey (1059 hits)
Category: GraphicsRating: 1 on 13 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by HerdofWookies (View user info) at 2004-09-02 10:06:14 EDT
Mark Ryden is, without a doubt, my favorite modern artist (although he is followed closely by Thomas Hart Benton).
Ryden was born in Medford, Oregon in 1963, grew up in Southern California, received his B.F.A. in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and currently resides in Sierra Madre.
You may very well have seen some his work before, as a fair amount of it is of the commercial variety. His paintings have graced the covers of several albums and magazines, including a splendid rendition of a multi-armed Jimi Hendrix on the cover of RollingStone magazine.
But, Ryden's fine art is the true object of my love and admiration. He apparently shares my keen interest in Abe Lincoln, as Abe's image finds it way repeatedly into Mark's paintings, in addition to Third Eyes, cryptic glyphs, folk catholicism, ominous looking children, meat, and young girls oddly reminiscent of Christina Ricci.
My words do little justice to his images. Please checkout the link below if you are interested in the least.
I love what Mark himself had to say about his artistic endeavors:
"Well, I have to admit I don't really paint my paintings; a Magic Monkey does. He comes to my studio late at night, when it's very quiet. Mysterious things happen late at night when most people are asleep. I help the magic monkey, but he does most of the work. My job is to get him to show up. I've been learning just what that takes. He is very particular. The right frame of mind is
important; I have to switch my brain from linear, logical thinking to creative, free feeling. If I start to think too much, then it's time for a nap or perhaps build a fort out of blankets with my son. Things have to flow from a place that is more subconscious and uninhibited. When you believe and have faith things will flow. You can really feel it. It's like magic. The monkey comes tapping
at the door, we get the paint and brushes out of the treasure chest and we have a
great time making art."
--Mark Ryden, October, 1999
www.MarkRyden.com
User Reviews
Submitted by ooQueso (user info) at 2005-11-02 14:00:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Cool pictures. I couldn't bring myself to finish reading the text, though.
Submitted by WookieSuave (user info) at 2004-12-16 14:24:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
AUTO +2
Wookiees Unite!
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2004-11-02 15:24:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.markryden.com/paintings/meat/christinad.html
holy christina ricci
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2004-09-03 14:09:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I love that quote you chose, BTW. He's right. You can't think about it too much when creating any kind of art. It's more like a spirit possession. You have to allow yourself to succumb to that subterranean force, wherever it may lead.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2004-09-03 14:05:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Glad to see I inspire someone around here...
Yea, Mark Ryden is kick ass.
Submitted by riggyrow (user info) at 2004-09-02 12:45:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm a huge Ryden fan as well.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2004-09-02 11:50:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
WillZone: You're quite welcome!
Hummer: Not sure if that's yours or not, but there was some great stuff on that site. I especially liked the fantasia photos.
I own some of Ryden's books as well... some signed first editions that I treasure, as well as some "off the shelf" versions of the Bunnies and Bees and The Meat Show catalogs that, I've found, have several pages that lend themselves well to cropping and framing (makes up for the fact that I will probably never be able to afford more than the single print of his I currently own!).
Submitted by WillZone (user info) at 2004-09-02 11:16:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
thank you.
Submitted by hummer_please (user info) at 2004-09-02 11:14:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I like Ryden too.
I'm actually considering buying one of those amazing little books from the 'Blood' series on his site.
Check out http://www.junodoran.net if you have time.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2004-09-02 10:56:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You know, professor, I like the whole "Magic Monkey" concept a lot... but I think I like the "Magic Honkey" idea even better.
I think that's who I'll start attributing my own inspiration to.
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2004-09-02 10:48:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Magic honkey? But I'm the magic honkey.
Submitted by WhatTheHell (user info) at 2004-09-02 10:17:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
She's a hottie
Submitted by boomslang (user info) at 2004-09-02 10:14:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
ahh hahahaha