“Life and the world can be pretty dark but I believe, all in all, in good, even when it’s bad. I see the bright neon colors like too much sugar. Like the way too much happy, makes you sick to your stomach. Not sure why I’m attracted to that. Life is brutal yet so awesome and great!”~Josh Petker
Nothing is ever what it seems. That much I know. Los Angeles based artist, Josh Petker revisits beauty and horror in his work mixing influences between Klimt and his own experiences. I’ve always been a fan of the kistchy girly paintings, like those of mid-century artist Vladimir Tretchikoff whose alien like otherness portayed in his females are quite unnerving, reminders of the divide between our lovely genders. I’m not really sure about the whole logic behind using the female form as vehicle expression of an inherently male worldview, except that it’s always been… and they make for some powerful imagery.
Read the Josh Petker interview here.
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Gah. Love love love them. Especially that first one– I’m absolutely hypnotized by the shapes and colors in it!
Thanks for sharing, I love to discover new artists and those paintings are mesmerizing.
The colours in those paintings are indeed so expressive, and it’s fascinating to read what the artist meant by them.
Beautiful.
Oh wow; these pictures are gorgeous. Very inspirational. :]
yeah, its something about what women are in a greater sense, the muse side of us, that’s not real or not something we could ever live up, however it something we understand that we personify.
These paintings are seriously amazing – he’s extremely talented!
❤ashe, the first one got me, i love the colors… and i wish i could have eyes like that.
❤prettyface… it really resonates with me.. not many people acknowldge the duality of life.
❤lindsey, i like the way you put it.. we can’t live up to it, but we identify none the less.
woweee, those are totally amazing! x
Wow, the use of colour and texture in these pieces is so beautiful. I feel inspired to do something bold and creative!
Thanks for bring Josh Petker into my world
mmm, this is so inspiring…I love the expression and the powerful lines…..fantastic!!
wow amazing. love the first
Ooh those are great.
Love the post title <3
Wow…they’re really beuatiful pieces, the colours are just stunning!