The image of the Gnome is derived from the cover illustration of "Gnomes" illustrated by Rien Poortvliet & published in English in 1977.
Poortvliet's illustration was painted in a traditional, highly naturalistic watercolour technique which made the Gnome seem somehow just as real as the other European woodland creatures &plants that were depicted in the book.
By converting the image to a 2 colour Screenprint / Stencil I am attempting to give the gnome "Street Cred" in a kind of humorous, playful spin on Street Art Stencils and Paste Ups.
The Re-Contextualized rustic and folkloric garden gnome has become "edgy" and "streetwise". The garden-loving, suburban gnome has taken a walk on the wild side!
By using two slightly jarring and synthetic colours for the gnome I am trying reinforce the urban, street flavour of the painting.