June 10, 2009 3:26am I love the images from this series. They have at once a savage and sensitive quality, and something of the "pastoral ideal" that taps into both American and ancient folklore. The rope belt gives the shorts the appearance of a loincloth, which takes us back to a Platonic "golden age" of rural simplicity, such as the early Founding Fathers sought to recreate in America. The effect of this really adds dignity and even pathos to this country boy figure (as he represents a hopeless yet determined ideal), thus transcending the mean urban stereotypes of "rednecks", "hillbillies", etc (Not that there aren't perfect idiots in the country as well as the city, but I think the proportions are not so different ;) ).
June 08, 2009 4:30am I like this as an avatar because it draws attention!
The pose is great and the lighting is dead on!
An avatar is supposed to pop and draw you in and this does that very well.
Let me know your thoughts on mine. I would really be appreciated.
