Elk Horn& Herbs Frank Howell

The composition presents a figure rendered in a style that blends realism with abstraction, set against a predominantly red background. The central subject is a man, his face etched with lines suggesting age and experience. He wears what appears to be a traditional garment of deep reddish-brown hue, draped over his shoulders. Emerging from his head are the antlers of an elk, which extend upwards, merging with the background.
The artist has employed a layered approach; beneath the figures form, faint outlines of animal paws are visible, seemingly emerging from or receding into the red field. These paw prints appear at both the upper and lower edges of the composition, creating a sense of cyclical movement or connection to an unseen realm. The background itself is not uniform; it displays washes of color and what appears to be handwritten text, partially obscured and layered over one another. This textual element adds complexity, suggesting a narrative or historical context that remains largely enigmatic.
The use of red as the dominant color evokes associations with vitality, strength, and perhaps even sacrifice. The antlers, a potent symbol in many cultures, suggest a connection to nature, spirituality, and ancestral power. The figure’s gaze is direct, conveying a sense of solemnity or quiet authority.
Subtexts within this work seem to explore themes of identity, heritage, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The layering of imagery – the man, the antlers, the paw prints, the obscured text – implies a complex interplay of past and present, individual and collective memory. The indistinct nature of the background text hints at stories or knowledge that are partially lost or deliberately veiled, inviting contemplation on the fragility of cultural narratives and the passage of time. The overall effect is one of reverence and introspection, prompting consideration of the subjects place within a larger, perhaps spiritual, framework.