Narrative Skull Paintings
© 2010-2018 all words and writings Christine Mercer-Vernon
The Skull Narratives
Bones contain stories, and thus these paintings, tell stories with bones.
Painted between 2010 and 2018, these narrative still life paintings hold a special place in my soul.
Bones contain a plethora of information about the life (and sometimes death) of the human or animal it belonged to. I began drawing skulls and bones for study and that transitioned over time into a way of understanding the world around me both personally and socially.
Sometimes as an observer, sometimes as a participant.
In the very center of these paintings, in using bones to tell stories, is that in life, death is the greatest motivator. It’s a small reminder to live without regret. Regardless of the theme of the painting, death is there to remind the viewer to live life.
Creating these paintings was a therapeutic process. Painted from life, I spent a significant amount of time carefully constructing the set up for each painting. I’m not an artist that just paints skulls, I have many years intently studying, understanding and considering them. In addition, I’ve spent years developing a unique-to-me bone palette that replicates natural, unbleached bone.
Take some time to consider these meaningful art works and what they might mean to you.
Science art writer, for Scientific American, Glendon Mellow, wrote a beautiful Halloween post about my work on their Symbiartic Blog. Click to read the article “The Beauty of Skulls” on ScientificAmerican.com
Pondering Life: a conundrum • 12x12 inch oil on panel • SOLD
The first skull narrative I completed and one of my favorites. I designed the maze in the background to have several entry points but no solution.
EXHIBITED
2016 Oil Painter's of America Eastern Regional Exhibition at Eisele Gallery of Fine Art
Sticks and Stones • 16x20 inch oil on panel • NFS
Words can create beautiful moments.They can also tear an irreparable hole in someone's soul.
Pause. Think. Speak with purpose. Speak with kindness.
© 2015 Christine Mercer-Vernon
EXHIBITED
October 2018 | The Gallery in the Scott Center, Carroll County Community College - "Phantom Narrative" Invitational Group Exhibition
after death, life • 38x36 inch oil on aluminum composite panel • NFS
In the swelling, bubbling ooze of decay, microbes, insects and scavengers flourish and thrive. Unconcerned with what this life once was, they devour rotting flesh and seeping entrails until there is nothing but scattered bones left to bleach in the sun. Enriched by all matter of decaying flesh and plants, endless varieties of fungus and flora grow eagerly in the nourished, aromatized soil.
Live. Die. Decay.Our view of death and decay should not be one of disgust and dismay, but one of inspiration and unrelenting motivation. An absolute urgency to live life vehemently. Be present in every infinitesimal moment. Breathe deeply. Love with avidity. Laugh abundantly. Sing. Dance. Exploit every opportunity for adventure. And at all times, be aware in your life.
Then, as the last breathy exhale leaves your body and your life is nothing but memories to be held by others, the microbes, insects, and scavengers will return your body to the earth. You will cease to exist. Fungus and flora will grow in the rich soil created by your decay. You will be no more; even so, after your death, there will be life.
© 2016 Christine Mercer-Vernon
ACCOLADES
February 2017 | ARTMUSECONTEST Merit Award
SEPT 2018 | YORKFEST JURIED ADULT EXHIBITION Award of Distinction
EXHIBITION HISTORY
April 2017 | RICHESON75 STILL LIFE & FLORAL 2017
Sept 2018 | Creative York Kerlin Gallery - "Yorkfest Juried Adult Exhibition"
fleeting • 48x48 inch oil on aluminum composite panel • NFS
Can you say, with a resounding yes, that you are living your life without regret, doing what you love, lingering in the small moments—making memories, not taking photos? We cannot control everything in our lives. Do not fear the fall. In fact, fall hard.Listen.Sometimes our wishes and dreams fail. If you can remain open, you will learn something about yourself, your life, and your purpose.See.View your life through the eyes of a child.
Do not lose the wonder. Learn. Nature can teach us valuable lessons, whether it’s about life, survival, or even death.Look at the fierce hornet colony. There is one purpose—to propagate new queens to ensure the continuation of the colony. Drones working, working, working so that someone else will survive—then dying. Admirable, but eye-opening.Time is fleeting.What are you doing with yours?
© 2016 Christine Mercer-Vernon
all falls are not the end • 18x24 inch oil on panel • NFS
The three objects in this painting symbolically represent three tenses of fall: fell, felled, falling. While there are many interpretations of an inevitable or symbolic fall, the wooly bear caterpillar gives hope that not all falls lead to an undesired ending, that with a little perseverance, there is hope for a beautiful new beginning.
© 2017 Christine Mercer-Vernon
ACCOLADES
April 2017 | RICHESON75 STILL LIFE & FLORAL 2017 - Meritorious Selection
EXHIBITION HISTORY
June 2018 | CreativeYork West - "Beautiful Death" Group Exhibition
Sept 2018 | Creative York Kerlin Gallery - "Yorkfest Juried Adult Exhibition"
soar above your fears • 19x28 inch oil on panel • SOLD
Fear—we all experience it, suffer from it, are paralyzed by it. There are those that claim to be fearless, but maybe the perception of being fearless is a misnomer. When you experience fear, but persist, you still tremble inside—your fear has not vanished. It’s simply been acknowledged, accepted, and kept inward.
If you do not consider yourself to be fearless, stop believing the definition means to be void of fear. Instead, look upon your fears with admiration. Embrace them. Love them for what they are. Do not let your mind defeat you.
Instead, catch the wind in your wings and soar above your fears, if you can see them, you can defeat them.
© 2017 Christine Mercer-Vernon
EXHIBITION HISTORY
June 2018 | CreativeYork West - "Beautiful Death" Group Exhibition
Sept 2018 | Creative York Kerlin Gallery - "Yorkfest Juried Adult Exhibition"
do not be blinded by words • 16x16 inch oil on panel • NFS
Do not be blinded by words, whether spoken by friend or foe.
Do not let them spark a fire in you that is fueled by animosity.
You have every right to be angry.
You have every right to be upset.
You have every right to stand up for change. For kindness. For acceptance.
Do so void of hypocrisy.
Be temperate with your response.
Do not be blinded by words.
© 2017 Christine Mercer-Vernon
ACCOLADES
April 2017 | 2016-2017 SEDONA ART PRIZE Finalist
EXHIBITED
July 2019 | Member's Exhibition | Creative York Kerlin Gallery |York PA
it happens • 11x14 inch oil on panel • NFS
It's so hard being human. We are prone to having emotions which make us do crazy things. Sometimes, we speak out of line or behave irrationally, regretfully hurting other people. It happens. Being human, we possess one trait no other living creature on this planet does, we can take accountability for our actions.
We can own up to our mistakes without casting blame.
This doesn't mean forgiveness will be granted, but, this one selfless act can go a long way in healing those that have been hurt. On occasion, we may be able to rebuild what we tore down—the journey may be long, but it may be possible.
Be hopeful, but do not be blind to hard truths, sometimes, damage cannot be reversed. Although, there is value in accountability—it's called closure.
© 2017 Christine Mercer-Vernon
EXHIBITION HISTORY
June 2018 | CreativeYork West - "Beautiful Death" Group Exhibition
October 2018 | The Gallery in the Scott Center, Carroll County Community College - "Phantom Narrative" Invitational Group Exhibition
insomnia: a maniacal madness • 28x17.25 inch oil on panel • NFS
It’s maddening lying there—wide awake—desperately aware of the darkness. Paralyzingly still or erratically racing, my mind is acutely aware that sleep is not coming anytime soon.
Whether the hours drone on, or, are broken by brief, unsettled slumber, the clock keeps time:
2:40,
3:40,
4:40.
That’s the breaking point for me—4:40 am. Desperate thoughts rattle me; dawn is coming; too late to fall asleep; I’ll have to get up soon; I should just get up.
Insomnia is a private, hellish torture, a maniacal madness that silently creeps away with the rising sun, yet falls madly upon you when the last of it’s glow disappears into the night.
© 2017 Christine Mercer-Vernon
To Learn more about the symbolism and references in this painting, please Read this article where I go into detail.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
October 2018 | The Gallery in the Scott Center, Carroll County Community College - "Phantom Narrative" Invitational Group Exhibition
January 2019 | Kerlin Gallery, CreativeYork - "BLUE" Group Exhibition
candy • 12x12 inch oil on panel • NFS
An ode to my favorite holiday.
EXHIBITED
October 2018 | The Gallery in the Scott Center, Carroll County Community College - "Phantom Narrative" Invitational Group Exhibition
sugar-coated • 16x16 inch oil on panel • NFS
We live in a sugar-coated society.
© 2018 Christine Mercer-Vernon
“Sugar-coated” is now available in an open edition print and notebooks, click here to learn more.
