Porcupines aren’t particularly tough or fierce, nor are racoons, skunks, ravens, opossums, snails or any of the other nocturnal trash animals that artist Ty Meier particularly adores; when the going gets tough they get weird. Ty isn’t as interested in predators that run around ruining everyone else's day; He identifies with the resilient, humble critters like porcupines who, if just left alone, could raise their babies and find happiness in this ruthless world. Their stoic resilience allowed them to survive evolution in a creative way that artists must find inspiring.
This artwork was created during the pandemic when Ty was adapting to quarantine, but it also applies whenever there is a change at work, in our culture, or in our living space. One of Ty’s maxims is “Anger is my enemy’ and whenever he starts to feel rage he stops himself and figures out a way to adapt. This artwork offers a comforting and relatable perspective on how to navigate difficult times
This is a print glued and pressed to an 8”x10” hand-painted craft board. Ty brushes thin calligraphic brushstrokes of clear glossy acrylic paint onto the print to give it some depth and sparkle, and then layers on lacquer until it glows.