Michele Mikesell, The Griffin, 2022, Oil on Canvas

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The Griffin Oil on canvas 60 × 36 × 1.75 in 152 × 91 × 4 cm In The Griffin, … Read more The Griffin Oil on canvas 60 × 36 × 1.75 in 152 × 91 × 4 cm In The Griffin, Michele Mikesell creates a commanding, human-scaled portrait that fuses mythic symbolism with contemporary psychology. The central figure stands tall against a glowing orange background, its lean form draped in a patterned bodysuit of soft black and white tones. Behind the figure, Mikesell introduces rhythmic, concentric arcs—graphic echoes of wings or energy fields—that give the composition an unmistakable aura of power and transcendence. The artist’s layered technique—rich underpainting, scraped surfaces, and translucent washes—creates an atmosphere that feels alive and dimensional. The figure’s pale, introspective face and direct gaze offer a counterpoint to the intensity of the surrounding color field, producing a tension between strength and vulnerability. The background hums with movement and warmth, suggesting both celestial and emotional landscapes. Though titled The Griffin, Mikesell reimagines the mythic beast not as a literal hybrid of lion and eagle, but as a symbolic guardian of duality: intellect and instinct, reason and imagination. This bold, vertical composition captures the essence of her figurative surrealism—intimate yet monumental, quiet yet electrified with presence. Collectors drawn to modern mythology, refined technique, and psychological resonance will find The Griffin an unforgettable centerpiece. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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