Elegance and power - "Well, if I can't have you"

This was the second painting in the series and really it was a test to see if I could hold the style from the last painting ("Let me think") but at the same time bring something new to the series. It helps that each painting is the same size and format, but it's crucial that the style doesn't vary too much. I'm really pleased with this one too.

Detail from "Well, if I can't have you"

My version of the story behind the painting
Like I said before, I want each viewer to make up their own story, but if you'd like to read mine, then go ahead. Otherwise you can skip to the 'The making of' if you'd like to.
The metal rings in her hand are the pin from a grenade, and if you look closely you can see that the earrings are small dangling grenades. In my mind this is a farewell dinner date, with the woman and the viewer taking on the role as her partner. Or ex-partner. I think the partner has spent the meal discussing their relationship, gradually putting forward reason after reason as to why the partner thinks that it's now they should end their time together as a couple. The woman however knew this was coming and waits until the last crumbs of the dessert are eaten up and the partner has drank enough wine to get up the courage to finally say that it's over. The woman brings up a clenched hand from under the table, resting her chin against it. As she opens her hand, the small metal pins fall out, she smiles and she says "Well, if I can't have you..." and the partner sees what she has in her hand, takes a few seconds to recognise what it is and the implications, jumps and probably falls over their chair desperately trying to get away in time, but of course the woman has timed the explosion to coincide perfectly with her last words.

Detail from "Well, if I can't have you"

The making of "Well, if I can't have you"
Warning! Don't read this is you'd rather keep in mind the story above! The reference photo is actually from a dinner date celebrating my wife and I's fourth wedding anniversary. I absolutely adore the satin top she has on and it was extremely difficult getting the shine correct. Painting outside in the blazing sun forced me to get every gradient correct, since it's easy to think I've got a subtle change in the dimness of my studio. The armband is really the visual focus of the painting - a present from my wife's friends for her 30th birthday which she really appreciates, but the grenade pins are the story focus. Like the first painting, I had the composition finished and was searching for something to give the painting a deeper meaning. When I came up with the idea of the grenade pin I knew it would fit perfectly. I initially had the earrings as small skulls but they seemed rather tacky so I changed them to tiny hand grenades.

This painting was sold on the exhibition opening, which was fantastic. A limited edition of canvas prints of this painting are available. An edition of ten at the same size as the originals (100 x 100 centimeters) for 2700 kronor each and an edition of twenty at 60 x 60 centimeters for 1400 kronor each. All signed and numbered by me. Please get in touch by mailgary.rychter@gmail.com or telephone 0046 (0)706 391848 if you are interested in buying.