Sailor Jacking Up in Brothel 2017

Joe Machine painted ‘Sailor Jacking Up in Brothel’ with what looks like watercolor and ink using these nervous, scratchy lines to build up a scene thick with unease. You can see the weight of his world in the sailor’s slumped posture and face. I feel for Joe Machine, you know? I bet he was right there in it, imagining what it would be like to be that sailor in that moment. The colors, like a faded tattoo, tell a story of regret and maybe some kind of desperate hope. Look at how the textures vary from the smooth skin to the rough-hewn wood. These aren’t just details; they’re emotional touchstones. There's a kinship with artists like Grosz and Dix, who weren't afraid to show the underbelly of society. I imagine Joe, somewhere between the grit and the glory, picks up a brush, driven by an urge to make something raw and real. It’s this kind of bold honesty that keeps the conversation going.