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Man with a Bowl of Rice

Oil on Linen, 50" x 72"

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The man is old, the sun is setting, and the ground is angled representing an unstable world. He sits on the edge with the blackness of the unknown in front of him. The man appears malnourished and, in spite of his condition and the unpredictable state of the world, the look on his face is one of contentment. He has something to eat and is grateful to have it.

I began this painting after a discussion about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how some people can be content with so little while others are empty, regardless of how much they have. The irony of how capitalism and materialism provide no greater happiness with quantity formed the basis of this painting. In a world caught up in having more than we need (to the point we may destroy our environment), this image is a peaceful reminder to be grateful for what we have and that gratefulness and contentment stems from the attitudes we posses, more than the things we posses. Details below.

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