James Jean 'Head' from the Kindling Show, Jonathan Levine Gallery, 2009

A smallish (10 x 10) abstract from James Jean's recent near sold-out show, Kindling, at the Jonathan Levine Gallery.

What can I say? James came out and pulled no punches with his first 'show'. No more comic work, here is James at his artistic and creative best.

While I like the polished pieces, there was something about the abstracts that appealed. They are looser in style, more freeform, daring and almost whimsically grotesque.

This one is particular stands in stark contrast against the gentle beauty of his other paintings. You can see hints of that in the flowery background but the image is predominantly 'in your face'. It has an element of crudeness to it, almost akin to graffitti meshed with 'children's' art.