It's been a bit but I thought I'd hit the canvas once more (actually, I had the time) and cook up something nice and bold, this time as a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law, Al Wagner. When we were coming up as kids (We met when we were 15), we were both batsh*t crazy about pro wrestling and only two grapplers stood head and shoulder pads above the rest: Hawk and Animal, the Road Warriors. Billed from Halsted Street in Chicago, there were no two men fiercer than "The Legion of Doom" and we had no problem accepting that these guys could kick anyone's asses they wanted, including ours. When we got the precious opportunities to watch the Warriors smear opponents live, we jumped at them, getting our tickets as quickly as humanly possible and stashing them somewhere safe until the big day...nay, event was upon us. Then, I'd paint our faces (Al was Hawk. I was Animal. It only made sense, man!) and we'd be off to the UIC Pavilion or the Rosemont Horizon (Now the Allstate Arena) and delight to these two bigger-than-life guys delivering punishment to whoever dared face them.
And that's why I did this painting! Now, I'm married to Al's sister, Debbie, and he's still one of my best pals. If anyone would appreciate a painting celebrating our teen heroes, it would be Al and I'd have to be the guy to cook it up. And I had a lot of fun doing it. :)
Acrylic on canvas panel, 14" X 18", December, 2010
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