Loving the Hussar

I can’t quite remember how I stumbled upon the art of Hussar… perhaps on that dinosaur known as myspace? At any rate, it was love at first sight. And I am talking about both his art and his physical presence.

But mostly his art.

Michael himself reminds me quite a bit of Anton LaVey. I’m not sure if it’s the striking gaze or the facial hair. Nonethless, the similarity is uncanny. But enough of what the dude looks like. On to his art.

I love art that tweaks me. If it makes my brain want to squirm or challenges my sense of the normal and the safe, sign me up. And Hussar has yet to fail to deliver.

Hussar’s art is the perfect symbiotic relationship between classical skill and mind-bending imagery, with a hefty does of twisted humor.

Perfection indeed.

Without any hesitation, I will tell you that "Pandora" is by far my favorite piece by Hussar. Such a serene image of a mother nursing her baby, yet why is mom’s face shrouded? and what is UP with that fabulous striped hat on the tot’s head? Love it.

Why? Because it’s disturbing, yet profoundly beautiful at the same time.

Such Hussar images as Pandora and Morphine evoke a certain amount of serenity and beauty, while paintings like Gummer, Birdbath, and Widow remind me of the imagery of Silence of the Lambs, and many other Hussar pieces are evocative of carney life.

What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall in Hussar’s studios and just watch him do what he does.

Michael Hussar lives and paints in Los Angeles CA, and has been involved in the west coast “lowbrow” scene all his life. He’s currently represented in LA by La Luz de Jesus gallery. He recently abandoned a short lived career as a painting teacher to devote more time to his work. His hobbies include, but are not limited to, long stretches of Isolation, followed by bursts of consumption.

Enjoy the video below – it offers many of Hussar’s less disturbing portrait paintings.