“Devil’s Blues.” This was one of many images I created to illustrate posters for the Osceola [Arkansas] Heritage Music Festival. All of those posters were among my efforts to find ways to animate a square composition, 1:1 aspect ratio. The point at which the bow on the singer’s hip attaches to her dress marks the center of the square. All else unfolds from that center.
In those days I would often scan my own face, and then push and pull the image of myself into other characters of my imagination. In this image, the devil and the harmonica player are examples. The singer I just drew and painted. The guitarist is just me.
The figure at top left with the scorn in his face and the crow on his shoulder is the Enemy. The singer is the voice of life and salvation.