Kurt Vonnegut was an early influence of mine, the first author I ever truly became consumed by. I immersed myself in his novels in the year I spent reading, writing and working on art between high school and college, and his words had a significant effect on the formation of my world view. His cynical optimism was delivered with straight-forward language and dark humor, as he over-elaborated the small details to represent his broader perspective.

Though I don’t typically use a lot of symbolism in my paintings, this piece is a bit of an exception.

This dual portrait captures the evolution of Vonnegut’s literary career and echoes his non-linear portrayals of time. The shirt and sweater of the younger portrait symbolize the army greens of his post-war struggles and emergence, as he reflected on his experiences in World War Two. The blues and greens of the older portrayal signify his transformation toward anthropology and humanism in his later works.

The vibrant colors of the background draw inspiration from the original cover of the first Vonnegut novel I read, Breakfast of Champions. The segmented lines of his aura echo the irregular and disjointed nature of time, passing in phases yet bound in continuity. Lastly, the merging of his coat in the center of the composition solidifies the notion that these are two aspects of one person, inseparable and united.