PIG HEAD.
This is one of my favorite drawing/paintings, that I have ever done, I made this peice of artwork when I was still at college, when I was 19 years old, it looks even better in the flesh (no pun intended). I went to a butchers near where I lived and bought the pig head, then took it to college. I was a vegetarian from the age of 16 to 23, at which time the way animals were treated seemed to change and I felt it acceptable. Me and Rene only eat organic meat and vegatables where possible, which is nearly all the time.I still care very much, that animals should never become products, they should be treated with respect and love.
The painting was made with paint and pigs blood, which came from the head, I'm not squeamish at all. I hope you like my 'pig head', I think it's beautiful and powerful and proud. After I finished the painting I burried the pig head, shared a little prayer, and shed a tear or two.
My brother Shaun loved this picture, and bought it from me some years later. Shaun's always been my greatest patron. Give me a shout. mikey
posted by musicmikey @ 12:49 pm
32 Comments:
Certainly a bold statement from a vegetarian.
opium
Mikey, The pig head has a powerful impact even just on the computer screen. I'd love to see it in person.
Another rainy day here, but I have good work to keep me occupied and a busy, noisy teenage son here this evening!
Love to you and Rene,
Brina
Mikey,
First time visitor...pretty wild. Keep up the good work and check out my blog whenever you can.
best,
John
Thats how I make my living Mikey.
I am a chef/owner of a restaurant that serves organic/natural/hormone and antibiotic free products. Animal husbandry and enviromental care is also an imortant part of my relationship with the farmers I choose to do bussines with.
Are there any restaraunts that you frequent that have adopted this philosophy?
I might be able to help you locate some in your area if you needed.
John
Pig stain on your fat chin, saying "keep on pigging"
Pink Floyd, Aimals, Pigs
Mikey,
Me and my bruv used to be that close when we lived in Aldershot, but grew appart in the last 5 years or so. I'm not sure why, could be a number of things, all ugly things, money, success, bitterness. We don't dislike each other, but I sense as a younger brother, kept at arms length. He lives in central California in a big house and every so often I'll get a call from him saying he is coming down and will spend time, but then he never shows, never calls. He plays bass and a bit of guitar and it was fun when we would jam because I don't know a lot of musicians. I used to get really upset, but now the feeling is becoming more of ambivolent, and I never wanted to feel that way toward him. I was always proud to say I had a big brother, particularly early on whenever he became successful. But if he stayed the same, if all of that never would have happened, would I have my big brother? probably more so. I just hate that people change over time. Like a member of my family died.
I'm very sorry to be negative today, I just can't hide my envy.
I love how you use other mediums then traditional artist tools of paint, pencil, etc. It adds something to the piece - especially in this case when it comes from the subject. Not sure I could have used the blood myself - I never used to be squeamish when I was younger (ironically, living on a pig farm when I was quite young and then working on a chicken farm), but I've gotten more stereotypically girly in my old age.
Mikey
Here is a site that might interest you
http://www.organicfood.co.uk/links.html
John
Great painting, the red is very vibrant, perhaps from the pigs blood?
Pigs are actually more intelligent than dogs. They are very clean and are easily housebroken, can learn tricks and enjoy playing games.(I once had a friend who kept one as a pet)That's why I think factory farming practices are particularly cruel for these beautiful and gregarious animals. Anyway, I think it's great that you immortalized that sweet little soul by painting him :) ( I may sound a little foolish gushing on about a pig, but animals possess an innocence and simple dignity that we just don't have)
Mikey, I was wondering if you had any advice for me.
What do you think of two past loves getting back together after ten years of being apart? Are we just in love with memories, or do we still really love each other?
A superb and very powerful painting Mikey.
I agree with Kara's sentiments completely (well said Kara!), but I'll never feel foolish for gushing on about a pig or any animal. I'm so glad that you showed proper respect to the Pig after you had finished your artwork.
Question: How much do paintings and other visual arts influence your music and writing?
Cheers,
Tom
I like the pigs head, when I first saw it I thought it was a real pigs head. Do you sell your artwork and if so where? Re Jessicas post I got back with my childhood sweetheart and had not seen her for thirty seven years. We married earlier this year. So give it a go Jessica. I'm sure Mikey will also have some advice for you.
wow mikey it looks real even just on a canvas. i bet you got great marks at college for that, im crap at art. hey why dont you draw a squirrel on crack!!! ha ha ha. great pic and blog as usual. thankyou for the beautiful message it cheered me up big time(every message of wisdom cheers me up). i had a bad day today (my demons still come back) and the comment made me shed a tear. thanks for cheering me and my mum up.
seeya honey and regards to ren and shaun
love lucy (tammy girl)
p.s. i do take a lot of pics with my trusty camera and my mum was glad that plastacine is in her honour ha ha ha!!
Thanks Mark, you reinforced my faith in love.
Jessica, Go for it! But remember the reasons it didn't work or didn't last before and try to find out if those conditions have changed. Have you grown, has he, and in good directions? Would it be different this time?
Mikey, what do you think?
Brina (aka psychologist-in-training!)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mikey, this is very powerful. I am a vegetarian and so this picture has a lot of meaning to me. It's very creative and I can just see the passion that was put into it. I love the mini-story about what you did with the head after you finished the painting.
Beautiful work, never change!
- claire -
Wow Mikey, what a dramatic painting this is! Thanks for telling us about the story behind it. This makes it all the more powerful and thought provoking.
I am not a vegetarian, but I dearly love all animals, especially pigs! I always feel guilty when I cook up bacon or sausages for breakfast. As the Smiths say, Meat is Murder! It's hard to change eating habits though, but maybe someday I will give it a try.
Carrie
Mikey~ I must tell you that your work has inspired me to pick up my brushes again....I did a bit on the envelope of the letter I sent to Rachel (snail mail). I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it's my own rendition of an inside joke that came up on one of the last few "In The Attic" shows.....I hope you and Rachel find it amusing....
Your piggy is quite powerful, it's definitely not 'Piglet'!!
much love~
Elizabeth A.
Cheers Rene, no kiss though. x
Thanks for your comment Opium
Thanks very much Brina, I hope the sun comes out soon for you.
Thanks John, just did, and saw the picture of your band and you playing in a clup in New york, I check you out again mate.
Brojo, hey John that is brilliant mate, I applaud you whole heartedly, I love to hear of the resturants in my area, I not aware of any, but we don't go out for diner that often. If I'm in the area, I'd love to try your speciality. Thanks mate.
No need to envy Gary, me and my brother have had a pretty turbulent time, and constantly forgave each other for many misdermeaners, at the moment, we are really enjoying each others company, and thats great. I sure you and your brother can forgive each other just like me and Shaun have. Visualise it happening.
Thanks Janey, I know what you mean, we all change. Cheers for the lovely words.
Hi Kara, thanks for the support, I believe in empathy. Great words.
Hi Jessica, I'm no oracle, but I would say, don't think to much about it, if it feels right, do it, within reason of course, like can you let go of any demons from before, who ever know's with love anyway. I'm no good at this, sorry Jessica.
Hi Tom, thanks for the great comment, as for your question, I've mentioned artworks in songs, but the visual artwork is just another piece of the world, my songs are usually stories, although I probably go about the collection of ideas for both music and art in more or less the same way, just making an account of where I am, and how I feel, what I see. Hope thats ok, cheers mate.
Hi Mark T, thanks very much, I have sold artworks, but since moving more into music, have left that side of my creation alone, resting.
Hi ya Lucy, very sorry to hear about the demons, I think you can defeat them, as I did. Why don't you have a Blog, and show your pictures, I think that would be brilliant. Plastercine will be up soon, enjoy your hol's again. Take care of yourself.
Hi Storm, what do you expect, he had his head chopped off. Of course its spooky.
Never will Claire, you neither ok. Thanks for the great comment.
Hi Carrie, thanks for your lovely words, I don't think we should stop eating animals as such, but treat them kindly and respect them.
Thanks Elizebeth A, well done for getting your brushes out, I hope you never put them away. I must get my own out one day.Thanks.
Hi Britta, thanks for your great remarks about my work. I was once vegan for two years, I felt really good. Then one day, it didn't matter as much. I really don't know why, did a little piece of me die, or did I just cross a bridge. Thanks for everything you said, take care.
mikey
Mikey,
At first when I saw 'Pig Head', I was a bit put off, as very intense art can do that to you once in a while. What I like about it is your use of mixed media, specifically real pig's blood that was used, makes it all the more surreal and chilling and unique. And as I've been getting to know it better, I find it quite intriguing, and so you've inspired me to post my pig study on my blog. -S
I like it. It reminds me of an old man. Very insparaitional.
I so enjoyed getting posts from you on my blog Mikey!
You have such a gentleman's gentleness about you. Like leather. Soft but tough. Cool, but keeps you warm.
I love getting to know you on WhoTV. I never even heard of you before then, but I've been into Rachel for a good while. She made a great choice bring you on her show.
Sorry to gush so much. But you deserve it.
Sincerely,
Johanna in Vista
Mikey,
you're the greates blogger on the Internet - thank you for responding so dilligently.
I dub you..
"The Blogfather"
I dub Pete..
"Lord of the Blogs"
PS: I have added a verse to that little song about Rachel, Pet and you. My wife thinks I should not add it because it mentions "Bluebell Wood" and she thinks it is plagiarism and the song already takes some words from Pete's "Athena". I'm going to re-record and re-post it anyway. As always, would appreciate your feedback when the time comes.
Thanks Mate!
Evening Mikey. I have been trying to NOT be busy like you suggested but now my husband is really sick! I think we are passing something around for sure. I guess the dance party will have to be next week! HA!
I will have the dance moves for you guys posted on my blog by Saturday..so you can practice and make me proud! I have not heard from Rachel as of yet so I will just post them and if you can use them great if not then whatever!
I hope you have a great Day! Mine was pretty hard and depressing but hey I am laughing now staring at the silly pigs head. Thanks for the laugh I needed that! Please tell me you Did NOT use blood to color it...OH BOY!
Mikey...
This posting was weird to me as I was going to write this whole thing about butterflies, and how I killed one, by accident, as a child. I fear them to this day, though I did take the kids to the butterfly exibit at the MET (NYC). Then I wanted to explain, that I was a good person, really etc. How I was a vegetarian, as a teenager, while my Dad was in the "PORK" business. So I thought this was quite funny as your next post (the pig head). I didn't last as a vegetarian very long, though I now have my own set of rules; I do not eat veal or lamb as I feel they are too young. The young chicken thing as got me freaked out, though they are organic and "free range". Anyway not to bore you! I think if was pretty brave and dare I say slightly "deranged" to use the pig blood! But you are the artist and it really is quite good. Scary and powerful!
Thanks again for your wonderful blogs!
Best to Rene, I read her blog and she seems so sweet and greatly devoted to you!
Keep rockin'...as the music is what brings us here!
Mikey,
I left a post on an artist from London on my Blog who I thought you may want to check out. I believe he used to open for David Gray and Neil Young - I have his CD and it's fab. Would be cool to see you and he doing a double bill somewhere around here - Have got to get yourself and Rachel to tour the USA.
Gary in Calif.
Thanks Seychelle, I've seen your blog, and I love it. Thanks for appreciating it.
Hi Kevin, thanks mate.
I always love getting your posts, Johanna in Vista, I just glad there's people in the world like you. Take care.
As always, you are too kind Gary, but I do like the sound of it. I've checked out J.Feddy on your blog, sounds cool, thanks mate.
Hi Molly, I'm afraid to tell you, that I did use pigs blood to colour it, the snout used the most,and the drip, is blood. People have told me they can see him with a big smile on his face. Glad it made you happy.Hope everyone gets well soon in your household.
Thanks Izygrl, I love reading about your indended blog, we have a connection. No wonder this picture is powerful for you. I will definately keep rock'n, as you say, I don't really do much visual art anymore. Although I'm sure that one day I will again. Thanks for your constant support.
Thanks again Gary, I would love too mate.
Thanks again everyone, I love all the positive things you all say, and its great to be able to show some of my old artworks again to a new audience. Cheers all.
mikey
Mikey,
I love your visual artistry.
I'll come back for that too!!
Thanks Izygrl, its strange how you new exactly what I meant. I don't think I wrote it like that but you seemed to understand. Thankyou for caring.
mikey
Mikey,
I watched "In the Attic" the other day with you, Rachel, Simon and Pete. This is the reason which brings me to your blog. I am always interested in hearing artists I've never listened to before. I have to say that your song, "Misery" touched my soul. So much so I found myself with tears in my eyes. Not a lot of songs can do that to me. Beautiful song. Just felt I had to say that to you. Also you and Rachel had me laughing, I love the way the two of you get along. Great pals, I could see that.
By the way, powerful image you created with the pig's head. Great picture.
Take care and all the best to you and Rene.
Ann
This is an exceptional, dark piece. Reminds me of the pig's head that "reigns" towards the end of Lord of the Flies. Actually, your work would make an excellent cover shot for that novel. zH
Nice Pig.
My buddy and I have a running joke:
When someone says "Go Ahead"
we say "Pig nose!"
"Why did you call me a pig nose?"
"because you just called me a Goathead!"
-It might sound stupid on a blog, but, well, I guess you just had to be there back in college when it all got started. LOL
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