Nail Me One Last Time

Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas – 36” x 48”

The Breakup Monster first came to me when I was looking to paint a picture for my now ex – I thought that if I painted him a picture then it would show how much I loved him and save our relationship. I painted him the monster above – surrounded in flames – the flames of passion – and the smoke from the flames spelled out “love” – symbolizing love going up in smoke. Shortly thereafter we broke up. Years later – living with another serious boyfriend – The Breakup Monster appeared to me when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to paint next. Weeks later that relationship also failed. Tiring of starting over in the love department, I decided to crucify The Breakup Monster and put him to rest so that he may never appear to me again. I am tired of looking for love.
The Party Octopus also represents the artist’s propensity to hide from his problems with alcohol and weed (Abusive Robot is sober and in active recovery). Substances allowed Abusive Robot to act without fear of being perceived as “less than” for his stature, etc. and often led to bolder actions – of course with consequences.