Pat Fitzgerald and Margaret Keane live together in my world

December 14, 2007

(sorry about blur. couldn’t keep my iPhone straight)

I bought a Pat Fitzgerald (awesome Raleigh artist and NCSU teacher) print at Rebus Works (awesome Raleigh gallery) the other day. Couldn’t pass it up. I love his gestural line quality and the mega personality he draws into each character. Well, when I got it home, I realized how weirdly it complements another print I have called “Alone” by the queen of big-eyed waif art, Margaret Keane. The Keane print hung in the living room of my parents house until I was about 14 and then it disappeared. A few years ago, I asked my parents if they still had it. Dad said, “If we do, it’s in the attic because I was too embarrassed to put it out at the curb.” Luckily for me (and to Aly’s chagrin), it was indeed in the attic, so I nabbed it.

Can you believe it? Look at these 2 paintings!! They are completely different, but so much the same. I’m pretty sure it’s the same person - the stance, the “whachoo lookin at?” stare, the hair color. She’s young and vulnerable, then older and guarded, it’s night then day. I bet Pat never thought in a million years that one of his prints would hang next to a big-eyed Keane waif, but I’m gonna make it happen.

Stumble it!

Tags: , Art, Keane, Pat Fitzgerald