Bullets and Beauty - Old Maui High - oil on wood and bullet shells

Close up of the Painting. 

This piece is a combination of elements and themes. The background and parts of the female figure are based on an older photo shoot at the Old Maui High, located above Ho'okipa Beach on the North Shore of Maui. The school grounds are well maintained, but no roofs remain. The further you explore this old school, the more is has an apocalyptic feel.
The idea to use bullets shells came from artist Al Farrow - Wrath and Reverence. One of his themes is using elements of war to create beautiful art - the juxtaposition of war and church is one of his stronger messages. The young female holding an AK-47 is a theme that I have seen with artist Gottfried Helnwein. Again the idea of beauty, war, and art - all hold the same space and push our boundaries of how we see the world.  Check out more of these artist:

• http://www.alfarrow.com/
• http://www.helnwein.com/