.png)
A Grotesque Obsession: Painting a Series I never planned
- Jennifer Jones
- Jul 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 27
I’ve never thought of myself as a “series” kind of artist — but here I am, right in the thick of it.
It all started with one painting — a grotesque. (Side note: If you’re curious about the difference between a grotesque and a gargoyle, check out a quick read here. Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Hunky Punks: Ancient and Modern - Margo Lestz - The Curious Rambler Hint: not all grotesques are waterspouts!)
I placed the first one at the end of the hallway — perfectly positioned to stare directly into your soul as you walked by.
Eventually, Matt (my unsuspecting muse) asked me to move him.
“The expression is so distressing. I can feel his emotion every time I walk by.”
He was quick to admit that art should make you feel something — he just didn’t want to feel that particular thing before breakfast.
I took it as a compliment. I had nailed the expression.
That painting was so much fun, I figured: why not one more? And now... I’m working on grotesque number twelve.
I’ll confess: few of them are completely finished. The creative itch to start the next one always hits before I wrap up the last. But I will get them done... eventually.
Purple Robes, Vibrant Hair, and Expressive Faces
The first grotesque wore a purple robe, which clearly pushed me into monk territory.
So, I leaned into it. Every monk after that wore the same purple robe. Each one stands against a bold background — green, orange, and pink. (After all, why settle for one color when you can use three?) The repetition gave the series some visual unity — like a weird, slightly disheveled, color-coded choir.
But the hair is where I had the most fun. I used the same color palette across the board, just in different tones and proportions. So, while the styles vary wildly, they all share the same DNA — like colorful cousins from the same oddball monastery.
The real joy? The faces.
Eyeballs are my "thing"
When I first started painting, I wanted to paint canvases of only eyes. Creepy sounding, I know. I never did the painting, but I have sketched many eyeballs.
Once, on a flight, I spent part of the trip sketching Matt’s eyes while he slept. Or so I thought.
I’d look at his eye, sketch, look again, sketch some more… totally in the zone.
Eventually — eyes still closed, face completely relaxed — he calmly said:
“Can you stop drawing my eyes now?”
Busted. I froze mid-sketch. I had no idea I was disturbing him.
With my band of merry grotesques, I had 24 (maybe 26) eyeballs to paint! Right up my alley!
Faces Full of Stories
But it’s not just the eyes anymore — I’ve found real joy in painting the whole face, creating depth and personality all around. Adding shadows under the eyes, sculpting the cheeks, defining wrinkles, and deciding how worn or smooth the skin should be. It’s like giving each grotesque a little life story on their face.
Each face tells a story. Some look exhausted, some annoyed, and a few might just be having a moment of enlightenment (or maybe just hangry).
Every wrinkle, every smooth cheek made me stop and ask:
How old is this one?
Should the brow scrunch in anger?
Or lift in surprise?
And seriously — why is he so mad… or so happy?
Matt… the (Unsuspecting) Muse
Here’s where it gets personal.
As I painted, I realized wanted each grotesque to resemble someone familiar: Matt
I decided to call each one a different manifestation of him.
Did I have his permission for this? Absolutely not.
Did that stop me? Of course not.
He is… less than thrilled.
When Tabitha, one of my sisters, came over, I eagerly showed her a painting and kept asking:
“Who does this look like?” “Come on. You see it, right?”
She finally shut me down:
“I know who you want me to say it looks like, and it doesn’t, and I won’t.”
Conversation over.
Matt, meanwhile, beamed like a kid on Christmas morning unwrapping a Red Ryder BB gun. (Cue Ralphie from A Christmas Story.)
At last — someone had put me in my place.
(Don’t worry, Matt. Tabitha will be “helping” you again soon. She's good at that!)
Practical Applications: Teaching Expressions
I told Matt’s dad that this entire series is actually an effort to help Matt read facial expressions better.
The plan?
Anytime Matt makes me feel a certain way, I’ll just point to a painting (or whip out a phone pic) and say:
“This. This is what you’re making me feel.”
Honestly? It’s genius.
A foolproof, completely mature, not-at-all-overdramatic form of emotional education. (At least in my mind.)
But then I thought… wait a second.
Matt’s dad could use a few lessons, too.
Bless him — but facial expression literacy might not be a family trait.
Good thing I have plenty of grotesques to go around.
Sympathy for Matt? Not So Much
I know what you’re thinking — you’re probably feeling a little sorry for Matt (and maybe his dad, too) right about now. After all, having a dozen grotesque paintings inspired to educate you hanging around might sound… intense.
But hold on!
Matt gives me just as much grief as he gets. And quite honestly, he has earned every brushstroke.
Plus, being one of eleven siblings has honed my skills in the ancient art of playful torment and let’s just say, I came out of that sibling jungle with a black belt. Thanks to my big family, Matt’s got a lifetime subscription to my special brand of “helpful” teasing.
So no, don’t feel too sorry for him. It’s all love… with a little bit of mischief thrown in. And know, it all comes back around.
Besides, he wouldn't have it any other way! 😉
2026 Calendar? Maybe...
As for my twelve monks? I have one final idea (thanks to a friend) for monk number thirteen.
IF I can stop myself from launching into monks 14, 15, and 16…AND actually finish the first thirteen…This whole whimsical, emotional, purple-robed bunch may just become my 2026 calendar.
To the paintings that got bumped — I’m sorry. Maybe 2027 will be your year.
💬 Let’s Keep This Creative Train Rolling
If you’ve ever painted your emotions onto a purple-robed monk (or just wanted to), you’re my kind of people. I'd love to hear what you think — is there a certain expression you'd like to see brought to life in paint?
👇 Drop a comment below, share this post with someone who gets it, or follow along to see if monk #13 makes it in time for the 2026 calendar.
Stay curious. Stay expressive. And for the love of art, finish what you start… unless inspiration leads you elsewhere. 😉
Thanks for reading The 3rd Flamingo
A blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.
I wish I had as much as hair as #10!
Great post!