Martian Gothic (James Beoddy, 1997, mixed media)
Time sort of escaped me today, so here is a strange and intricate painting to think about. This is “Martian Gothic” by James Beoddy. It is an exciting retro-future tapestry of techno-humans piecing together a patchwork future. The networked world of the painting looks alien but also strangely familiar—as though today’s political and consumerist trends just moved a bit further down the road. The dark glittering society is not as dark as some visions of tomorrow—but it does seem to have lots of sharp edges.
detail
ferrebeekeeper 
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April 21, 2015 at 2:59 AM
Beatrix
I’m liking the Easter Island type HP Lovecraft monument.
The rest of it looks more like Martian Luchadores rather than Gothic anything.
Ok, I’ll shut up now.
April 21, 2015 at 12:33 PM
Wayne
Ha! No need to shut up–it does sort of look like Martian luchadors. That’s part of the fun, maybe?
May 1, 2015 at 1:52 AM
David Greene
I have had the honor and privilege to have Jim Beoddy as one of my best friends since 1993. He has had a tremendous impact and influence on many central Ohio artists. Here is a link to a recent article about what could possibly be his last major public show.
I was visiting with Jim on a regular basis during the time he was creating Martian Gothic. Every figure depicted in the foreground gets repeated, at least once, in the background. The easiest to decipher is the figure on the far right in the detail shot. The white “dot” on the forehead of that figure, [Goblinhood’s Harmlessness sigil ,as seen on the forehead of Goblinhood in the left corner]. can be found again enlarged,to the lower right of the yellow diamond near top center. That’s the starting point to locate the rest of that figure”s outline in the starry sky. This painting is a premier example of the style Jim calls “Network Realism”.
Jim will be pleased to know you like the monument to his favorite author. The “luchadores” comment escapes me , but Jim has always had a sense of humor about his work.
May 1, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Wayne
Thanks so much for your comment and for explaining more about the painting! Where is the link? I definitely want to know more about the show? Where in Central Ohio? I have kinfolk out there!
Kindly extend my highest regards to Jim (and my heartfelt thanks, since I used his lovely painting on my blog). I hope his show is a giant smash hit!
Your art is pretty cool too! Thanks for the gallery link.
May 1, 2015 at 11:29 PM
David Greene
Hi Wayne , I just got back from the opening reception . Yes, it was a big hit with a large turn-out. Saturday’s (May 2nd) will be just as great, I’m sure. Jim’s articles are posted as follows.
http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2015/04/30/exhibition-preview-jim-beoddy-espreet-dcor-is-a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity.html
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2015/04/28/1-lifetime-of-creativity-pays-off-in-exhibit.html
http://fredscruton.com/category/james-beoddy/
http://columbusfreepress.com/article/new-and-never-ending-surreal-and-abstract-art-james-beoddy
Jim was honored that you saw fit to include him in your blog. Be sure to check out Fred Scruton’s site. He has been documenting Jim and the work of several other “Outsider ” artists for the last several years. Fred is also an outstanding artist and photographer in his own right.
May 6, 2015 at 2:45 PM
Wayne
Thanks for the links and the info!
September 4, 2017 at 10:40 PM
Tractor Workshop Manuals
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!