Fixing A Hole 

Dave Macdowell made this painting “Fixing a Hole” using oil paint on canvas. The canvas is a plain woven fabric, created by the uncelebrated labor of textile workers, providing a smooth surface for the artist's skilled work. The artist then applies the paint, layer upon layer, manipulating its texture and tone to build up the image. Oil paint is a slow-drying medium, allowing for corrections and subtle gradations, but also demanding patience. Here we see the Beatles depicted as classical figures, referencing art history. Yet, the style is more akin to commercial illustration. Perhaps this is a comment on their status as a cultural commodity, produced and consumed by the masses? The background, filled with the word 'love' and musical notes, speaks of popular sentiment. Ultimately, this painting prompts us to consider the complex relationship between artistic skill, popular culture, and the economics of image-making. It challenges the hierarchy between fine art and commercial art, inviting us to appreciate the craftsmanship embedded in both.