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kolaboy β€” The Mercurochrome Stain

Published: 2005-10-21 03:33:17 +0000 UTC; Views: 9842; Favourites: 196; Downloads: 1070
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Description Acrylic, 36X48 (an oldie). Pardon the photo.

In my childhood I had always heard about a mysterious (to me) place called Ruby Falls. My aunt & uncle had visited, and I was fascinated by their rather sketchy description of it. They told me of this waterfall, deep underground ... and I had just seen Journey To The Centre Of The Earth with Pat Boone...
Anyway, my mind embroidered upon the scant facts supplied me. I imagined a poe-esque realm with blood red waters cascading down black stone walls. I became so obsessed with this imagery that it began to carry over into my waking hours, as it had in my dreams. Even the little glass bottle of Mercurochrome in the medicine cabinet became associated with the vision, as it was a vividly red as I imagined to Ruby Falls to have been. I would carry it around with me, as though it were imbued with the magic of that place.

Well, reality is a cruel headmaster. After some time I verbalized my misconception, and I was quickly corrected. Alas, apart from a visit from Moses, I suspect those Ruby Fall waters will remain as pallid as your kitchen tap-water. I'll bet there aren't any rubies, either.
I still like Mercurochrome.
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Comments: 70

pexyn [2015-08-31 15:35:49 +0000 UTC]

How do you do this?!

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JanKulinicz [2015-06-30 20:55:18 +0000 UTC]

Great! That`s what I call magic realism. Impressive skills!

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kolaboy In reply to JanKulinicz [2015-07-11 02:56:19 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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DeanJohnsonArtStudio [2015-05-10 15:46:31 +0000 UTC]

I'm so impressed with the realism of the toes, the hands, the facial expression, the folds of the clothing and blankets. Β Really, this is astounding work!

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kolaboy In reply to DeanJohnsonArtStudio [2015-05-17 18:01:42 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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mawgly79 [2013-04-30 19:45:46 +0000 UTC]

Realistic and provocative. Great work!

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kolaboy In reply to mawgly79 [2013-05-23 20:57:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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caramel26 [2008-08-21 05:02:37 +0000 UTC]

this is my magical dreams look like
i fell in love with your work, and your talent

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kolaboy In reply to caramel26 [2008-08-22 00:56:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much

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JamesSkeltonSmith [2007-12-16 21:52:26 +0000 UTC]

How do you do these?.
They look like photomontage

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kolaboy In reply to JamesSkeltonSmith [2007-12-17 07:29:31 +0000 UTC]

Just acrylics and brushes

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heartXofXtheXstorm [2007-12-10 23:29:02 +0000 UTC]

This is a beautiful, haunting piece.

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heartXofXtheXstorm In reply to heartXofXtheXstorm [2007-12-16 19:24:04 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome!

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kolaboy In reply to heartXofXtheXstorm [2007-12-12 19:56:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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KlickBang [2007-10-16 08:03:16 +0000 UTC]

I used to dream that the enire state of California was pink.
This reall is a brilliant work of art.

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5-blue-marks [2007-06-08 02:26:46 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful painting.

When I was little I saw the figure from The Masque of the Red Death in my basement and thus becamse very terrified of going down there. Children's imaginations are fabulous.

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kmaier99 [2007-05-08 21:16:05 +0000 UTC]

That halo around her head had me mesmerized for a moment or two...nice touch to an already amazing painting.
I hope the fact that I am using those handy arrows to view your entire gallery isn't off putting, and my comments and favs annoying.

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JimmyDangerously [2007-02-01 23:58:43 +0000 UTC]

captivating.... really gets the ol wheels in the head to turning -JD-

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kolaboy In reply to JimmyDangerously [2007-02-05 22:08:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank ya

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digitaldaq [2006-03-27 02:10:17 +0000 UTC]

very pervocative and well painted

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MuselingErased [2005-12-22 03:56:14 +0000 UTC]

Wow....

Your work is inspiring. I really love this picture...+fav

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mental-traffic [2005-11-28 16:22:47 +0000 UTC]

sometimes it's better not to be corrected on childhood misconceptions. i often feel [and it has been proven to me] that the things you imagine as a child could almost never exist because those places you imagine are far too extravagant and in some cases could never exist sheerly by the laws of physics. it's kinda depressing really. anyway...this is lovely, even though i'm sure the red blanket she's sitting on still pales in comparison to the red waterfalls you imagined.

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charlihorse [2005-11-28 08:16:10 +0000 UTC]

She looks like she knows what she's doing.

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MikePomery [2005-11-27 10:39:10 +0000 UTC]

Indeed a very relaxed and disconcerting composition with a very dreamlike ambience.

You have a knack for texture and tone, as well as a very distinguished style.

Well done on creating such a traditionally surreal piece.

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Februar [2005-11-26 00:58:46 +0000 UTC]

WOW! your pictures are so great!!!

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Dan-YELL [2005-11-20 17:18:23 +0000 UTC]

This painting really creeps me out.

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radioPooh [2005-10-31 18:37:37 +0000 UTC]

see ruby falls .. (the barns with the ads have become as famous as the actual place)

great observation my friend ..

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blindgorgon [2005-10-30 08:22:57 +0000 UTC]

rather modern dali.
i'm impressed.

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agesxracer [2005-10-28 18:20:05 +0000 UTC]

i am continually impressed with the quality and volume of your work. my favorite part of this piece; the back drop, the window.

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Madinina-ruff [2005-10-28 06:21:59 +0000 UTC]

Another magic piece
I love your Ruby Falls tale, I remember an equivalent expression in French was "VoilΓ  les anglais!" ("Here come the English!").
As a child, I tried so hard to find out where those English were hiding! Its funny how wild a child's imagination can go !

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VOLIVOD [2005-10-28 00:35:08 +0000 UTC]

cool...i was just at ruby falls a year ago...on my honeymoon. It's in Chattanooga TENN.
Anyway, I love this painting. It's very dreamy. The girl reminds me of a girlfriend i had when i was a child. Great work

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indigoo [2005-10-27 21:37:50 +0000 UTC]

this is by now my very favorite picture of you! i adore it!

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HyacinthGarden [2005-10-26 21:51:41 +0000 UTC]

When I was little, my mom embroidered many fantasies for me. For one, she got me to go to bed by telling me that my mattress worked like a flying carpet and carried me around above the city! And for the easter bunny, she made stencils in the shape of big rabbit feet and then poured baby powder through them so that big white rabbit footprints would be all over the house.

I still believe in magic and things, actually. Though not necessarily in flying matresses...

I love your painting, the shading in it, the colors. And I love your accompanying comments.

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mindofka [2005-10-26 11:53:28 +0000 UTC]

I never know if I like more your description or the work in itself, let's say that together they make the masterpiece.
Always in love with your art, Kolaboy

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liquin [2005-10-25 12:20:47 +0000 UTC]

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TonHaring [2005-10-25 10:26:43 +0000 UTC]

Extraordinary again! Nice story!

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Virtu-Imagery [2005-10-25 06:40:14 +0000 UTC]

Fascinating composition and concept.
A fine painting!

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eliq [2005-10-25 06:19:40 +0000 UTC]

And wonderful description! Consider that the place you created lives on within you and your art!!! Don't dispose of it too easily!

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eliq [2005-10-25 06:17:10 +0000 UTC]

I LOVE this! This is my favorite of yours. It fills me with joy to look at it! I love it when a painting does that!

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The-deepest-shade [2005-10-24 21:33:23 +0000 UTC]

I love this... <3

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Maenod [2005-10-24 13:26:06 +0000 UTC]

I have been to Ruby Falls. It was a little bit anti-climatic.

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kolaboy In reply to Maenod [2005-10-24 16:54:57 +0000 UTC]

Yes, it can't live up to it's name.

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thomasxarcane [2005-10-23 13:15:16 +0000 UTC]

Again, I'm totally puzzled when I look at this painting. I love the way you played here with "conceptual" contrats. Warm and cold lights. The variations of the style throughout the painting. Beautiful work my friend.

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J4n3T [2005-10-23 04:50:34 +0000 UTC]

I dislike Mercurochrome.
I love everything from you.

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Senecal [2005-10-23 01:44:13 +0000 UTC]

"The more it hursts, the more it works"...
Your primary coloration is great here.

This is another block in an expanding temple that will weather the ages.
Your monument has been solidly built. How awesome that we are around to see it being constructed.

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Deborah-Valentine [2005-10-22 08:21:40 +0000 UTC]

i especially love the way she is floating. i love mercurichrome. on the bottle it says :discontinue use if redness occurrs" as a kid it was my favorite joke!

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SRaffa [2005-10-22 03:48:34 +0000 UTC]

The technical aspects alone are just brain-imploding; the grid on the bed, the "texture" of the smoke... You grip on to those aspects just to remind yourself that somebody painted this; when it feels like you've stumbled on to actual magical occurences in an ordinary room...
Miraculous.

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iliketoast [2005-10-22 02:48:51 +0000 UTC]

very beautiful and eye-catching, like always. i loved reading your story too!

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undoingemptyvoid [2005-10-22 02:14:52 +0000 UTC]

As usual your ability to make the real magical and surreal... I am inspired.

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breakdancingbird [2005-10-22 00:55:29 +0000 UTC]

This looks like a strange mix between Balthus and Dalì with hints of Magritte to me. Well done!

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