Valerie - Original Painting

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

“Rose and Valerie Screaming from the gallery” - The Beatles

The song is about a student named Maxwell Edison who commits murders with a hammer, with the dark lyrics disguised by an upbeat sound. McCartney described the song as symbolic of the downfalls of life, being "my analogy for when something goes wrong out of the blue, as it so often does".

Its bold, fragmented composition depicts a woman with a serious expression amidst a chaotic, layered background. The geometric shapes and vivid colors reflect the dark humor and theatrical tone of the song. The woman's intense gaze and layered background elements suggest a narrative of mystery and intrigue, echoing the song's morbidly playful storytelling about a character wielding a hammer, creating a visual interpretation of its quirky, macabre theme

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 a character from a 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

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.