My Son’s First Gallery Art Show: RESILIENT – Paintings Overcoming Pain

Daniel in Lion’s Den

I’m proud to announce that my son — identified as MIKE in my book and known by his friends as Kevin — will be showing a collection of his original paintings at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery in Reston,  1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190, during the month of August with an opening reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on August 5th, a Sunday.

If you are in the area and would like to meet my son and see his artwork, please attend the reception!

A 2005 graduate of Pratt Institute, where he earned a BFA in fine art with a concentration in painting, Kevin has titled his show, “Resilient.”

It features paintings that depict spiritual themes and individual endurance. Several document times that he spent in mental hospitals struggling with bi-polar disorder.

The painting,  “Daniel In The Lion’s Den” ( shown above), inspired by a Peter Paul Rubens painting, doubles as a self-portrait with the artist taking the place of Daniel, solemnly praying in a realm of majestic predators.

Paintings, such as “Priscilla,” capture his love of portraiture and suggest the influence of Buddhist philosophy on the artist, as the sitter is posed in a lotus position. “Here lies Truth 1979-2006,” depicts the artist during a police incident in 2006 during a psychotic break.

My son spent much of the last decade in-and-out of psychiatric wards as he struggled to recover from bi-polar disorder. Painting helped in his recovery. Today, he works with the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board helping people recover from their mental illnesses.

To learn more about his music, his paintings and his life, you can visit  www.getthatworm.com

About the author:

Pete Earley is the bestselling author of such books as The Hot House and Crazy. When he is not spending time with his family, he tours the globe advocating for mental health reform.

Learn more about Pete.