Large Fierce Mammal

Best “selfie” ever. (Source: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/englund-9.jpg)

Thanks once again to the unflagging vigilance of doppelgänger “Uncle Jim” Keating, I found myself laughing my way this morning through the brilliant work of Swedish Artist Andreas Englund – specifically his growing series of oil paintings depicting, “… the candidly humorous life of an anonymous superhero who has probably seen better days. Though he still puts up a tough fight, the wear and tear of battling crime has taken its toll on this elderly action figure.”

“In a kind of tender comic on a huge canvas, Englund describes the hero who is slowly but surely spending his remaining years with human traits as a link between the artist himself and the viewer. It was extremely important to Englund to portray the aging process with an intensified presence. If you want to accord credibility to a character, the character himself needs to face up reality and the aging process. He has to acknowledge to himself that he cannot live up to expectations and that the “perfect life” is nothing more than wishfulness. Englund’s artworks are focused on the maturing process. Even in the old age it is still possible to achieve something valuable although someone’s drive and vigour won’t bluster out explosively. Nevertheless everybody in his advanced age deserves to be recognised and respected for what he has achieved in life.” ~ Philipp Windmüller

Tuckered out but still in the fight. (Source: http://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/englund-5.jpg)

The image that tops this story is my all time favourite from the series so far, but most of the rest aren’t far behind. You can bask in the talent of the good Mr. Englund on his official website here, and read more about him in this Colossal article.

The Artist’s website elaborates on this and other subjects that bring him inspiration:

Other themes include horses and muscle cars. The horses are painted as dalecarlia horses, a famous symbol from the Swedish region of Dalecarlia, where Andreas was born.

Sit back and watch this riveting motion picture of brilliance at work. Make it full screen for maximum effect.