Exercising the Demon

"Exercising the Demon" 18 X 24 Oil on Panel 2013

Concept

The concept for this piece is basically about the relationship between people and dogs. I live in a neighborhood setting in Eugene, Oregon, and I go for a lot of walks. I am always seeing people with their dogs. I live next to a dog park, my brother and his wife own a dog, and most of my friends have dogs too. It is such a common thing that I bet most people don't really think much about it. I like that....taking the simple everyday things and turning them into something fantastical. Seeing this mundane daily routine of people exercising their canines, stirred something in my mind, causing me to come up with all sorts of "what if...." scenarios. Maybe I don't trust dogs. More than one of my friends has had their faces actually mangled and mauled by their beloved pet. To me, the dog's dependency on a human owner feels really uncomfortable. .....also, I might add, I am a cat person.  

Narrative     

Lately, more and more I have been building a fantasy world in my mind. This place is called, "The Commonwealth of the Yod-Ninivish". In short, it is a Victorian world with strong ties to the Medieval ages, a world filled with magic, witchcraft, the occult and actual living, breathing, demons. The Commonwealth of the Yod-Ninivish is a fairytale world that I use to create allegorical connections with the actual occurrences and observations that I make on a regular basis. It helps me make meaning. 

The narrative for this painting goes something like this: Occultist "Dr. Herbert Lewiston Milderstone " (feel free to make up your own name :)) is talking the demon out for a walk. He doesn't really feel like doing it today, but having a demon is a responsibility, and being a responsible demon-owner, he is going to man-up and do his duty. I was thinking of a Freemason-like character, who maybe stumbled upon the ancient secret of how to summon up this bizarre floating creature for some clandestine purpose. Maybe he belongs to a secret society, and maybe this demon is part of a some master plan.... we will never know. But, what the Occultist character never realized was the burden and responsibility that would come with owning a demon, the day-to-day chores and duties. Sure maybe the demon is happy to see the Occultist when he gets home from magical ceremonies and long days in the alchemy lab, the demon waving its fuzzy tentacles and all, but fuck, the responsibility can be a real bitch sometimes.