WEIN, WEIB UND GESANG ON THE BLUE DANUBE - OR - WINE, WOMEN AND SONG, JOHANN STRAUSS II, ACRYLIC AND CUT PAPER ON WOOD

Wein, Weib und Gesang on the Blue Danube looks into the life of Johann Strauss II. The surface of this is created from a 101 year old music magazine (Presser's Etude) dedicated to Strauss. The imagery references his early play bill art. Hidden within the images are his many other stories: A rivalry with his father at both home and professionally. Political struggles as an artist during the Austrian revolutions. And finally his wanting through music (most notably Waltz's in the lighter vein) to provide a form of escapism, normalcy and human connection during these times. I layered tissue paper, added sharpie line art and accented features with transparent metallic paints. The result is that in some light it is gold and oranges, but in other light it will be blues and purples, and sometimes both!