COMMENTARY ON IMPORTANT WORKS IN MY OEUVRE: 'MONARCH'

'Monarch' ©Jerry L. Kirk

'MONARCH' • 48" X 36" • 2005

Collection of Richard & Jane Peniston

This large painting is significant to my history as a painter for a few reasons. First, it was my biggest sale up to that point, purchased by good friends, loyal patrons and long-time collectors of my work, Rick and Jane Peniston. The sale and appreciation of the work came at at time when I was having doubts about my art and it fortified me to carry on. Second, it was the first salvo in a new direction for my art, a move towards a more realistic style of painting. After years of working in a looser style with brighter, popish colors I found myself gravitating towards a style that was more dependent on the real world. I wanted to grow as a painter, to develop my technique and skills and so the move was necessary to my evolution.... it was time, and 'Monarch' showed me the way forward by allowing me to develop the style using a combination of real world and my imagination. This new approach towards painting would eventually carry over into the landscapes that I do today, which have proved very successful for me. Finally, this painting featured the return of the 'Dark Harlequin', an alter ego that I had created for my very first solo show in 1991 and who has appeared in many paintings over the years. He had been absent from my work for awhile, but I felt the need to bring him back to signify the change my work was going through.Everything about this painting worked for me... the title, the concept, the rendering... it proved to be one of the most successful paintings of my career. Everything about this painting worked for me... the title, the concept, the rendering... it proved to be one of the most successful paintings of my career.

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