The painting is oil on Masonite and is 7 feet 5 ¾ inches by 12 feet in size. The
painting inspired Rosenquist by a presidential campaign poster. Firstly the painting
is based on John f. Kennedy wanting to be president of the United States, Kennedy
was the first presidential candidate to use mass media in his campaign. The painting
is about “a man adverting himself”. Within the picture I can see images of John f.
Kennedy, a slice of cake, the wheel of a car, and a hand holding the cake. The picture
is an mechanical form and show still life from the portrait of the president, however
the picture is also figurative. The three images overlap one and another. The three
pictures make up the image because they are all bold and unique. The shapes link
within each other as they are blended and overlapped. The scale of the car has been
blown up to focus just on the car wheel. At first your eyes are taken to presidents
face as its large and bright with colour, secondly you look at green wheel then after
to the cake and the hand because it is the smallest image with the less colour.
The colours within the image are blocked and bright which makes them look
artificial. They are secondary colours vibrant colours and are all contrasting.
The consistency of the paint is even, smooth, thick and rich in colour. Soft highlights
have been used. The cake has a bumpy texture. Scratched marks have been used
around the presidents’ eyes to create a more realistic effect. The surface quality of
the piece is soft and even all over.
The mood of the piece is happy and uplifting. The composition creates a mood of
wondrous. The colour of the painting is energetic and warm. The application of
paint creates an sombre mood. The surface quality creates a mood of playfulness.
I selected this piece as the painting overall is interesting and unique. There are no
parts I don’t like about the painting because the ways they have been placed are
inspiring. I like the colours within the piece as they are rich and have a smooth
texture. The piece makes me happy and makes me think why he has used the
different unique images all in one painting; the three images all have a meaning
behind them and link with each other.
From the artist I have learnt that you can be experimental with images used and
there can always be an outcome of the way the pictures are linked. You can be
creative and mix any pictures you want, because this would make the painting look
unique and would make you think. I will investigate further into the elements of his
different paintings because I am interested in the way he uses the different scales
and effects. I hope to achieve ideas from the artists and develop more confidence
when creating a painting.
