Dead Friends 3

John Douglas

Dead Friends 3

Synthetic polymer paint and newspaper collage on paper. From a series documenting friends who have died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses.

We’d sit on the same park bench every Sunday afternoon. “At least I’m a natural blond,” David, a model, would sniff about some passer-by, and JohnG and I would laugh.
This was our last outing together. David didn’t leave our apartment. Confined to his bed for the next two years, slowly wasting away, alternating between diarrhoea and constipation depending on how much morphine he’d had. JohnG quit his job and cared for David.
After David’s death, John G compiled David’s funny and moving comments and convinced a newspaper to publish them.
After the publication JohnG became ill and died.

Dead Friends 3 belongs to the following groups:

Queer and Gender Theories Group, Raw Art and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Dead Friends 3 by John Douglas
Dead Friends 3 by John Douglas
  • SnapHappy

    SnapHappy

    sorry to hear that John, it’s nice to know their memory lives on through your art

  • Beatriz R. Aldridge

    Beatriz R. Ald...

    I am very sorry to hear they are both gone. This is painting is priceless. Excellent work.

  • Susan Grissom

    Susan Grissom

    What a wonderful tribute to your friends. I bet they would have heartily approved. it’s a fabulous piece of ART!

  • John Douglas

    John Douglas

    thanks all. Not to take away any from the miserable circumstances of their deaths, but they were good fun people and was why I painted our park bench – happy times.

  • H M Bascom

    H M Bascom

    John, this is wonderful, beautiful, and touching.

    Out of pain you have created joy and smiles.

    Thank you for sharing your fond remembrance of your friends.

  • artlein

    artlein

    I like the way the colours and shapes are an expression of happy times with your friends and this work is a wonderful way to refresh those memories as time passes.

  • John Douglas replied

    thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again

  • John Douglas replied

    thanks yeah I wanted to remember the happy times the most – realised as time passed that the moments I were recalling were the declines, and wanted to reclaim the happy again

  • JenniferB

    JenniferB

    that’s the great thing about art, it allows the artist to capture and immortalise any moment in time they want to, and you manage do it perfectly. Great tribute. Love the shapes and colours.

  • John Douglas replied

    thanks jennifer, that is a lovely and thoughtful comment and much appreciated

  • drjones

    drjones

    Very moving piece John. I’m so glad it made it to the home page, it’s a beautiful tribute x

  • John Douglas replied

    Thanks on all counts Dar

  • pingpong

    pingpong

    Regardless of the context but not withstanding, this is a stand out painting- perfect balance.

  • John Douglas replied

    thanks very much, that is lovely to read :)

  • Bruce Watson

    Bruce Watson

    Simple and effective.

  • John Douglas replied

    Thanks Bruce

  • Shylie Edwards

    Shylie Edwards

    so happy when this painting appeared on the homepage today!!! ....for friends lovely thought

  • John Douglas replied

    Thanks Shylie – I am pleased that I was able to honour them, and now pleased to know the painting has bene featured too

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain

    Such a wonderful & moving series John. Many Congratz for being featured on the home page

  • John Douglas replied

    Thanks on all counts Pinky, xxx

  • mjart66

    mjart66

    Love this.

  • John Douglas replied

    Thanks very much david x

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