Newest painting in S-E Asia series

[Erikka]

This is the fourth in a series of ten paintings that are about things I saw and experienced during my South East Asia tour while in the Navy. It is called Hong Kong #2, Lunch on Lan Street. I will post more as they are finished.

[Jani]

Interesting.  I like it.

 

Jani

[Erikka]

The object of this series originally was to paint some of the positive memories and leave the ugliness of war as an image, but two of the paintings I am currently working on transcend that format. One dealing with the aftermath of an NVA rocket attack that blew up the ammo dump at Cam Rahn Bay and the other one depicting the beggar kids that would jump into a sewage infested river for nickels and dimes tossed by U.S. sailors into the Po river just out side of the Subic Bay, Philippines navy base. The deeper I go into this series, the harder it is to just remember the mundane because the tragedy of war and poverty once seen is impossible to unsee.

[Jani]

Try to stay positive as you create your art.  This was certainly a difficult time in your youth where you probably had different feelings than now.  

 

Jani

[Susan R]

Beautifully done. Very colorful and easy on the eyes!  You certainly have talent, Erikka!

[Erikka]

Thank you.

[Erikka]

This is the newest painting in my Southeast Asia series, “Aloha #1, The B.C. And her Nest”. Numerically it is the first painting in the series.

[Jani]

I like this, almost has a peaceful feeling to it.  (despite the intent of warships)

[Susan R]

I agree with @Jani  I also love the colors you’ve used in both pieces you’ve done in your series.

[Erikka]

It is amazing how many feelings and thoughts that have been kicked up in the execution of this series. It could also be fallout from Covid-19. As I have been working in the studio, memories flare like a flame, giving a clarity of the past that until recently was well hidden. This weekend One of those memories slapped me upside along my head...”pay attention this is important”...I painfully remembered calling a woman that I was engaged to, collect and telling her that I had found someone who would love me more. The truth was I had been raped by shipmates and the shame was so great I felt that this woman could not love me because of what happened. That was 50 years ago of silence. As a result of this journey I am on I wrote her a letter explaining the circumstances that led to such a harsh and callous rejection of her love and asking for forgiveness for having treated her so horribly. Whether or not she responds is not as important as being vulnerable and honest and removing any thoughts she might have had that my action was in some way her fault. 
The combination of Covid-19, this series of paintings and sensing because of my age that time is getting short, making amends and making things right seems more important than fear of my shame being exposed.

[Mx.Drago]

On 4/18/2020 at 3:11 PM, Erikka said:

“Aloha #1, The B.C. And her Nest”.

I love the shades of blues you got in this painting. The floral print for the background is interesting, kinda reminds me of the beetles yellow submarine movie a bit, except less color crazy.

[Lexi C]

I Agree with Mx. Drago about the 1st painted.  Aloha has a joy about it. A sense of pride. The colors really pop out at you grabbing and dragging you into a feeling of Deja vu or sentimental happiness. Great job Errika