Heartache For Sale

Starting Wednesday, August 22 this incredible piece of art will be auctioned through Ebay.
It will be auction number 230163017817 -- and this important document of prison life is all about the numbers. Here is a preview of the listing:

This is an original important, oil on burlap painting from one of the first "OFFICIAL" Stateville Art Shows. It measures approx. 29 inches wide by 37 inches long. This appears to be the original artwork that was used for a printed poster.

The artist is August G Mendez and I have searched on the internet for any reference to this artist with little luck. I checked and he is not currently incarcerated.

The subject is an intelligent and well-balanced hybrid of 1970's "supergraphics" and Mexican folk painting or textile design contrasted by an INCREDIBLE, monochromatic inset of the prison itself.

This guy was a good painter and smart, to boot.

If I were a critic I would say he successfully contrasts the bleakness of prison life against the beauty of freedom.

The color is amazing with very controlled mixing of hue and tone.

There are three forms of identification on the piece;

First - the artist has poignantly incorporated his prisoner number into the image: 66720.

Second: the verso reads, in permanent marker;
August G. Mendez
#66720
"Stateville Poste(r)"

Third: There is a deteriorated typed paper label on the side. All that is left is the number 66720.
CONDITION: The stretcher seems to have warped but I think the frame - which is cheap stained trim nailed directly to the stretcher - has caused this and it can easily be fixed (but I hope the high bidder will keep this material as a part of the whole - for archival purposes).

The framing has suffered some discoloration.

Also - there is a tiny drip of white paint near the lower right edge that I think could be removed with just a little work.

Shipping is high via UPS insured with special packing at $110.00. International shippers will pay actual cost per estimate before invoice.

I WILL BE OUT OF CONTACT FOR THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE DURATION OF THIS SALE WITH NO ABILITY TO CHECK EMAIL AND WILL RETURN ON AUGUST 26TH . I APOLOGIZE IF THIS CAUSES ANY PROBLEMS.

On a brighter note: I'm leaving for the farm and that's gonna be a blast. My eyes get tired from looking at the mountains.

And there are some other Ebay auctions starting Sunday including some great turquoise McCoy

And original engravings from the 1st/2nd edition of Encyclopedia Britannica

(Pictured: "Eclipse")