This original 10x14-inch painting was created by me, Jim Faris, in my Washington, D.C. studio, The Make Shift Studio. It's a vibrant, handmade piece painted in one or more of; ink, acrylic, watercolor, metallic paint, gold leaf, masking tape and mixed media. Additionally some of these works use Gelli-Plate prints for background or focus points, collage and much more. Unframed, signed, and one of a kind.
I often use three recurring marks - a line, two stripes, and a crown, to tell a story about voice, equality, and self-ownership.
The Freedom Line - The vertical line running from the lip down the chin. It was inspired in part by the symbolic power of traditional facial markings found in Indigenous cultures around the world. While I don't imitate those traditions, I honor their spirit, the way a simple mark can tell a story of courage, identity, and belonging. In my work, this line stands for freedom of speech, the moment your truth leaves the body and enters the world.
The Equals Mark - two cheek stripes - represents empathy and equality, a quiet stand for connection between people.
The Crown - A nod to Basquiat and the lineage of street artists before me, symbolizes self-ownership, the idea that we each rule our own creative life.
Together, these symbols form a visual language of independence, humanity, and voice, reminders that we are free, equal, and our stories are our own.
There are plenty of other symbols in these works, but some are just plain fun.
- Jim Faris
My work blends modern abstract expressionism with postmodern and pop influences, using texture, collage, and color to explore the harmony that hides inside chaos. Many of my pieces include layers of vintage magazines from the '40s through the '90s, little fragments of history that bring their own stories and energy to the surface.
Each painting is unique, there's only one in the world, and it comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Details:
Size: 10 x 14 inches
Medium: Watercolor / Ink / Acrylic / Gelli Plate Print /Mixed Media
Signed and dated
Ships directly from my D.C. studio
Same-day or next-day shipping
Combined shipping available (3 or 4 paintings per box for quality and safety)
This painting is sold unframed, but I can have it professionally gallery-framed for an additional $85, just send me a message if you're interested.