Sometimes a work of art hits you over the head (not necessarily literally). The reasons could be many. But it effects you deeply. Often in surprising ways.

This happened to me a week and a half ago.

It was at an art show in Santa Clara, Utah (near St. George). I was looking around, admiring the great art at the show when I was stopped in my tracks. What I saw caught me off guard: 2 lifesized painted mugshots by McGarren Flack.

They were brilliantly painted. And the frames were even carved to show the inmates height.

Mug Shot 140628, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

 © 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

The paintings were fascinating on several levels.

First, his technical skill is superb. The richness of color was a feast for the eyes. His talent for painting the figure is unarguable. And the surface quality of the paint was delightful. The paintings were amazing (I wish the images did them justice).

But, on top of that, he was able to capture the essence of his models. The mugshots were not simply a likeness. They told a story - even without the placard. Yet the placards added a bit of whimsy to the works.

Mug Shot 094731, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

© 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

Although McGarren only had 2 paintings from the series at this show, there are a total of 24 mugshots. The concept is that everyone is "guilty" of something. For some it's visible, for others, not so much. He took that idea and created a line-up of individuals with petty or insignificant "faults". Yet, we often "convict" each other of these petty traits.

McGarren created booking sheets to accompany the paintings.

In a solo exhibit of the works, he merged traditional painting with installation art. The 24 paintings were hung around the gallery at actual height, creating a line-up of the 24 inmates. I wish I could have see that complete exhibit.

Mugshot 202999, by McGarren Flack, oil on linen.

© 2011 McGarren Flack. Used by permission.

He is working on securing other venues to exhibit the show in its entirety. This is one artist worth collecting, and this series in particular. To view all 24 mugshots, click here.