Art by ASH

ASH (Mark R. Watson) 
Oil on Canvas 

Overview 

In "Befriend Him," ASH creates a surreal and oddly dark encounter in a dense, textured forest. The main figure, an anthropomorphic cat with a mischievous grin and a formal suit, sits on a gnarled branch. Towering ravens flank the "Cat-Man." He connects the domestic and the wild, the refined and the predatory. 

Artistic Style and Technique 

Watson uses a heavy impasto technique. He applies thick layers of oil paint to the canvas, creating a surface with real texture. This physical depth highlights the "beastly" nature of the subjects: 

- Textured Grooming: The coarse, directional brushstrokes resemble the matted fur of the cat and the shiny, oily sheen of the ravens' feathers. 

- Atmospheric Depth: The background features vertical strokes that suggest a cramped thicket of trees. The muted palette of moss greens and earthy browns pushes the vibrant, suited figure into focus. 

Themes and Symbolism 

The title, "Befriend Him," serves as both an invitation and a warning. The ravens, often seen as symbols of lost souls or death omens, appear as silent guardians or perhaps equals to the central character. By dressing the predator in human clothing, Watson examines the duality of nature and the "masks" worn by those on the edges of society. The viewer must decide whether the figure's grin signals welcome or hunger.