American Gothic

This painting was the result of a juried competition of art depicting anything involving Tim Burton, known for his gothic fantasy and horror films (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Frankenweenie).

This was my entry, picturing characters from Edward Scissorhands, a parody of the instantly recognizable oil painting by Grant Wood.

Perhaps interesting, Grant also painted his original work for a juried competition, which he won, plus $300 in cash, a tidy sum in 1930.

It also made him famous, and 90 years later, it still hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.

The photo to the left is from 1st Dibs, one of the online galleries that Reeves works with. It shows the pricing of the painting before it was sold. When I picked up my paintings from the gallery, it wasn’t there, so they paid me for it and I took home its companion piece. (See photo for sale information) Dimensions: 30 in x 40 in.

For comparison, Grant Wood’s original painting is shown to the left. Before he won the juried contest, he was an unknown 39-year-old aspiring artist, living in the attic of a funeral-home carriage house that he shared with his mother and sister.​

So, when you’re thinking of your own life and dreams, remember that. Then go out and kick ass.