Norwegian Wood - Original Painting

“Norwegian Wood”  40” X 30” X 2” Mixed Media on a Cradled Wood Panel, Framed

“And when I awoke I was alone This bird had flown So I lit a fire Isn't it good Norwegian wood?” - The Beatles

Norwegian Wood presents a striking cubist-inspired portrait where geometry and color converge to form a layered visual narrative. The central figure’s fractured face, composed of overlapping planes in shades of blue, yellow, red, and green, suggests an introspective mood beneath its multifaceted surface. The angular red checkered garment adds a sense of structure and rhythm, contrasting with the organic quality of the abstract background.

Inspired by the Beatles’ song “Norwegian Wood,” the work draws on the song’s themes of memory, mystery, and fleeting encounters. The fragmented, layered composition reflects the elusive narrative and emotional ambiguity found in the lyrics, capturing a sense of nostalgia and introspection that resonates throughout the piece. The layered technique incorporates acrylic, ink, and digital collage, allowing different textures and depths to coexist seamlessly. The result is a contemplative piece that balances precision with painterly nuance, engaging the viewer in a subtle dialogue between familiar cultural references and innovative visual language.

This piece is part of my ongoing exploration of "Faces and Facades," a series of mixed media paintings where people and places intertwine, with architecture serving as a vessel for unseen narratives. Inspired by characters from Beatles songs, each work aims to evoke the stories and emotions hidden beneath the surface, inviting viewers to look beyond the obvious and discover the deeper layers within.

This painting is also available as a canvas print 

Frank Trocino is an award-winning American-born artist and former architect currently residing in Santa Fe, NM. His work primarily explores themes of people and architecture

My mixed media paintings consist of acrylic paint and digital collage. They are painted on museum quality archival paper and then laminated to a cradled wood panel, varnished, waxed and then framed in a black floater frame.

About the Artist

Frank Trocino is a retired architect turned painter currently residing in Santa Fe New Mexico. His path to Santa Fe began in New York, then to Oregon as a young child through College. From there he lived in Italy, Los Angeles, the Middle East, Portland, and Austin. Franks work can be seen in galleries, hotels, and the homes of private collectors internationally. He is a mixed media artist using acrylic paint, ink and collage and his subject matter is primarily people and buildings.