"Classical Conditioning, Conceptualized, or Pavlov's 1984"

Semi Abstract Candy

This painting really has three names. There's the two written on the side of the canvas; "Classical Condition, Conceptualized or Pavlov's 1984" and there's the name I always call this piece "The Jolly Rancher Piece”.

I guess someone said the center object reminds them of something they could just grab and eat like a jolly rancher and it stuck with me. Art is funny like that, when someone points out something they see and then you see it, it's very hard to unsee it.

Personally, I like all three titles but if I had to choose one I would say "Pavlov's 1984". It's just such a cool name and says so much with the title and the image together. The title and content really allow the viewer to put an easy puzzle together and go on a mental visual journey as they do it.

I like the idea of the viewer having to put together the title and the content in order to complete the painting, or process. It's like a cat that doesn't easily purr but when it does eventually purr you know it's really content, and that you have worked for it. That's the experience I want my viewers to have.

I feel 95% of all art being sold by artists, collectors, even Blue-Chip collectors are concerned more with money, status, resale, or their own reputation versus the entire interaction between the viewer and the painting, in a way their “soul”, their entire being was not into the painting, or process and you can spot it, or at least I can, in a second.

I mean isn't that real art after all? Is that not why a Van Gogh is selling for 80 million dollars? You seem to be able to feel his plight, his soul, his life in a tangible object….that is truly amazing, and valuable; also rare. This is, again, an example of the obsession of trying to create a two-dimensional object that appears to come off the canvas.

It took me about 6 years to complete this painting, as it sat in hibernation for probably 5 years after it was 90% done.  I've always loved the colors and the content. It definitely commands attention when hung as a centerpiece, not just by its sheer size and beauty, but probably more so by its prominent juxtaposition.