Artist takes drugs and draws self portraits

**Arra** · 09-26-2012 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Auron

Can't really judge a guys medical signs by looking at self portraits he drew. I'm not saying that all artist do drugs, but most of them who have probabaly tried to create art while on their poison of choice. No one ever says "he probably had brain damage" or 'a chromosomal issue' when they see art. Most people look at the art itself and take it in for what it is. Later on when the truth comes out that the person was on drugs when they drew x y and z it's okay. Art is one of the most truely intimate things that a person can create, and when someone comes across not even judging the work, but the artist, it's kind of like spitting on their souls. Just saying.

I agree. I only meant that, looking at his face, it looks like he might have Down Syndrome. Even though the paintings were influenced by drugs, you can get a general idea of what he must look like in person by considering them all together. By saying "maybe he had some mental disorders to begin with" I didn't intend to imply he definitely has any now. And if he did it would be a completely separate issue from my appreciation of the art itself. Some of it was brilliant.

**Michael** · 09-26-2012 11:10 PM

can't believe there wasn't a lsd one

**nina** · 09-28-2012 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by Dianeva

I agree. I only meant that, looking at his face, it looks like he might have Down Syndrome. Even though the paintings were influenced by drugs, you can get a general idea of what he must look like in person by considering them all together. By saying "maybe he had some mental disorders to begin with" I didn't intend to imply he definitely has any now. And if he did it would be a completely separate issue from my appreciation of the art itself. Some of it was brilliant.

I thought that too when I first looked at the drawings, but then I didn't want to make assumptions about the way he might look based on them. But his face does seem to exhibit some mild characteristics associated with Down's.

Also, why do you say that he drew some with an image/stereotype already in his mind? Which drawings/drugs are you referring to? The DMT one for example, is a pretty stereotypical DMT-like sort of image...but it's only something that someone on DMT would draw. From looking at many artist's work, I've been able to conclude that DMT can cause very similar hallucinations in many people. Same with shrooms/lsd/etc. So why would you assume that he already knows what he is going to draw based on a stereotype, rather than, if he just drew whatever he felt like once he was on the drug.

**greenhavoc** · 09-28-2012 01:40 AM

He did most of these coming down or walking up, not during the peak. I think he went in with a preconceived notion and drew what everyone expects of that particular drug. Artist are so full of shit, mostly. Some of those meds won't get you high period, I've been on them. Good art, though.

**Arra** · 09-29-2012 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by nina

I thought that too when I first looked at the drawings, but then I didn't want to make assumptions about the way he might look based on them. But his face does seem to exhibit some mild characteristics associated with Down's.

Also, why do you say that he drew some with an image/stereotype already in his mind? Which drawings/drugs are you referring to? The DMT one for example, is a pretty stereotypical DMT-like sort of image...but it's only something that someone on DMT would draw. From looking at many artist's work, I've been able to conclude that DMT can cause very similar hallucinations in many people. Same with shrooms/lsd/etc. So why would you assume that he already knows what he is going to draw based on a stereotype, rather than, if he just drew whatever he felt like once he was on the drug.

Maybe the drugs' effects were really all that caused him to paint himself in certain ways. I just got the feeling that in some cases the preconceptions exaggerated certain qualities. I'm not saying that's definitely the case, and if it is there's nothing wrong with it. I'd probably do the same thing subconsciously at least. But I don't even know what most of these drugs are supposed to do, so can only judge a few. These are a few that gave me the idea:

Hash - The brightly colored abstract lines in the background are pretty much the stereotype.
Butane Honey Oil - I've never heard of this drug before, but the warm honey-colored image seems to describe the name ('honey oil') a bit too perfectly. Unless by coincidence it makes you feel exactly what it sounds like.
Crystalmeth - Image looks like cracked glass, like the drug itself.
Pot Brownies - No need to explain this one.

**saltyseedog** · 09-29-2012 04:26 AM

honey oil is like extremely potent liquid hash.
And I think I can believe he drew them while high I think. I've made really good drawings while high before.