Hercules' in Suburbia: New Labors as a Middle Aged Man.
This painting is about the passage of time. Each of the four figures occupy its own panel that is meant to represent each of the four seasons, although they are not ordered sequentially, in an attempt to fragment and disjoint time.
Fall: A bald middle-aged male figure inflates a large pile of pool toys that loom ominously over his head. This is the end of the pool season. The light is slightly less warm and weeds are growing between the cracks of the concrete around the pool. Yet, even this late in the season, this middle-aged substitute for Hercules is still blowing up pool toys. His labors may never end, but that’s OK. The labors keep him feeling needed.
Spring: A young girl sits by a pool that has yet to be open. Her anticipation is palpable. She’s upset that the tarp is still on and the ladders that allow access into the deep end of the pool are lying uselessly along the fence, keeping her from enjoying the water. If only Hercules could put down the pool floats, long enough to remove the tarp the pool could be enjoyed.
Summer: A middle-aged woman is seen cleaning the pool with an overly long, and possibly heavy pole. The light is warm and the setting is beautiful, yet the work is keeping her focused and busy as she attempts to maintain a perfect environment.
Winter: A young male figure sits in a treehouse outside of the fence enclosing the pool. The leaves are off the tree and the sky is cool, yet he sits in shorts and T-shirt as if he is still in denial of the passage of time. There are deflated pool toys around the scene and in his hands indicating that the pool season is over, or Hercules failed in his task to keep the pool rings inflated.