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Saturnalia

DECEMBER 12, 2009
I was asked to participate in an exhibition at CoproGallery titled "Saturnalia"
From their website:
"CoproGallery presents "Saturnalia", group art exhibition and CoproGallery Holiday Party. Saturnalia was the Roman mid-winter festival introduced around 217 BCE , Originally celebrated for a day, on December 17, popularity grew it to week-long extravaganza where drinking and debauchery started on the shortest day and continued through the longest night. The customary greeting for the occasion is a "Io, Saturnalia!" (pronounced "yo") The festival harks back to the Golden Age of Man when Saturn ruled and all men were equal, there was no work, and everyone enjoyed peace and happiness."

When thinking of an idea I kept coming back to an image I had in my sketchbook that eventually did make it into a cover a few years back (without a reversed helmet), a strong side view of a soldier.
I liked the look of it and when I began thinking of the Roman soldier as a vehicle for an illustration, it just sort of worked.
The image I did of a reversed Roman soldier helmet evolved when I thought of the Saturnalia  practice of the temporary reversal of roles where masters served meals to their slaves and were allowed to have a few days of leisure.  The reversal concept was what I worked with.  

Bergamot Station Arts Complex 
2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5, Santa Monica , CA 90404
Saturnalia - Holiday group art exhibition
Dates:   Exhibits runs – December 12 – January 9, 2010
Opening Reception: December 12, 8:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Everything was good about my sketch except the tilt of the head. Too close to the weapon.
It's fun to make decisions that don't have to be approved by anyone other than me. I see how this gallery world can be fun.
I was the model for the body with a little artistic license to buff up a bit.
If you can, stop by and buy my painting.  If you're from out of town, call and buy it.  Makes a lovely stocking stuffer!
Ask for the "Tim O'Brien" painting.  : )

CoproGallery

Bergamot Station Arts Complex
2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5, Santa Monica , CA 90404
Ph: 310/829-2156
E-Mail: CoproGallery@live.com
The art in the frame. It's "Wall Ready"
© 2024 Tim O'Brien