The Watcher
This piece was created during the time I had a mental breakdown about 15 years ago. The original will never be for sale. This image haunted me day and night. I saw it in the patterns in tarmac, I drew it directly onto my trousers. Then in a 5 week long session I painted everyday, this was the final result. After finishing it I stopped painting and didn’t pick up a brush again for 5 years.
I have come to realize this was a self portrait. The style influences all my other work. I did not realize at the time how close it was to many of Francis Bacons paintings, this was only pointed out to me years later. To my shame I had to go an look him up. I glad to say I am now a great fan of his.
Maybe you can understand that I will never sell the original. Yet I think it would be good to let as many people as possible own a copy.
Best regards
Samuel Durkin
Visit my own website Arts-Fine.co.uk to see original paintings for sale
The Watcher belongs to the following groups:
Masterpiece: Art Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Helene Kippert
Evocative and beautiful
Marie Magnusson
beautiful and eery, the running paint is great
sosij
This is incredible the ammount of effort time commitment and emotional feeling you have done here,this i think is the most positive thing you could of done turning your inner confusion into a vision for all,thus rightfully earning its place as a masterpiece.Artwork like this can help and certainly inspire others.All the best Davie a.k.a Sosij
Boozetown
Love it. very moody
Peter Coleman
a powerful piece, that single watchful eye is magnetic, glad to hear you came through it OK
Michael Gatch
awesome work. dark beginnings.
F. Magdalene A...
Now how did I miss this? My goodness. I like it.
I think I’m going to choose to believe that this watcher is watching over someone. I think I like that thought.
smiles to you and yours,
Austin
sowhat
Such an interesting story. So much of you must be in this piece. I wouldn’t sell it iether. It really captures one’s attention.
Damian
A facinating image and thanks for the insight in the description.
James Lindsay
I immediately thought of Francis Bacon when I saw this, but this seems maybe even darker than his psychologically charged work. I appreciate your story and can see elements of this painting in your other work.
Cathie Brooker
Very spooky sure you need to keep it as a self portrait?
Samuel Durkin replied
Yes I do need to keep it, it reminds me of time when I was someone else. A darker me, a less confident me, but it also reminds me that this figure resides in me. A Scary part yes. But powerful and determined, the part that stands against the storm, sees through the rain, understands what it is to be alone. This character waits in the shadows, and I know when I fall into the darkness, It will have strength I need to get through it. This “dark” watcher is the part that holds on and will not give up.
Cathie Brooker
Sometimes it is heart breaking to be alone. I am glad you have this icon that gives you strength to withstand the hard times. Hopefully you are not so alone because you have shared your image with the red bubble audience and there are people that have been there and understand. Art can be powerful theropy.
Samuel Durkin replied
I am no longer alone. in fact i have lots and lots of freinds now. the watcher reminds me, I must never withdraw so far again.
ellamental
Reminds me of THE HERMIT in the Taro. Interesting how it haunted you until you ? paid attention I guess.The one eye and it being the left is also very interesting! I’m guessing you are a pretty interesting guy!!!
Samuel Durkin replied
untill… well forever, its still there sometimes. But I’ve left him behind, because I don’t want to be “The hermit” again.
frenchblue
incredible…...we are vessels of our own emotions….if we allow it to flow out of us it will heal us!!!
ps…i wouldnt sell this either!...it will always be point of healing for you!!!! cheers! thanks for sharing! cm
Samuel Durkin replied
I’m glad to have shared it with you, and yes its always a point of healing for me.
SeaAngel2 9 days ago
Haunting and beautiful. The longer one looks at it the more you see. Excellent.