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John Abram's Hitchcock paintings are fun and engaging.
At first glance they're slam dunk mid-century stylish, but we know the narrative, there's subtext. And that adds the edgy shot of noir that we eat up.
John Abrams is a Toronto-based painter with a longstanding passion for cinema.
In Painting Hitchcock, Abrams reduces the cinematic experience to a singular moment. Whether that moment is filled will anticipation, fraught with terror or setting us up for a fall, John gives us permission to indulge our voyeuristic tendencies.
"With these paintings, John Abrams has done something very audacious, even a little bit bratty. John Abrams has turned the lights on midway through the movie." RM Vaughan
According to Tippi, Hitchcock was known to say "It's just a movie.....". The Birds does nothing to downplay the potential horrors of an unthinkable natural disaster. Painted in 2014, Blue Phone is 36 x 48". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
There is no perfect crime. In Dial M For Murder, Ray Milland incorrectly believes this will be his goodbye kiss to Grace Kelly. Painted in 2012, The Kiss, is 30 x 40". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
It can get quite messy when things don't go according to plan.
From Dial M For Murder, Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and a corpse.
Painted in 2014, Red Purse is 18 x 24".
Oil on wood panel.
Miss Lonely Hearts, The Traveling Salesman, Miss Torso...
James Stewart can't takes his eyes off of them. From Rear Window, Binoculars is 36 x 48". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
Have you ever had a better offer in your whole, entire life?
Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief.
Painted in 2012, Lamplight is 18 x 24".
Oil on wood panel. SOLD
What could possibly go wrong? An innocent purchase of a pair of lovebirds before visiting Bodega Bay. From The Birds, Birdcage is 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel.
Before he was Blake Carrington and the voice of Charlie, John Forsythe sported a fedora as a CIA agent in Topaz. Hat is 30 x 40". Oil on wood panel.
Even (or especially) in boxers, Cary Grant is always perfectly attired. Phoning from North By Northwest is 12 x 16". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
Rivals, Friends or Allies?
Suzanne Pleshette gives Tippi Hedren a place to stay and a light in The Birds. Painted in 2012, Smoking is 30 x 40".
Oil on wood panel.
The quaint Bodega Bay School House seems oh-so safe. And yet... Painted in 2011 from The Birds, Entering School is 12 x 16". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
Suzanne Pleshette is too busy contemplating just how she got here to consider The Birds. Smoke is 36 x 48". Oil on wood panel.
James Stewart needs to get up that staircase. In The Man Who Knew Too Much an Embassy can be a dangerous place. 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
Grace Kelly may be intrigued by what's outside in Rear Window, but honestly, she'd rather look at fashion. Painted in 2014 Magazine is 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel.
Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in North By Northwest. He knows she is not to be trusted, but little else. Painted in 2012, Cocktails is 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel.
Cary Grant's paranoia is palpable in To Catch A Thief. But did he do it? Painted in 2014, Reflection is 12 x 16". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
In To Catch A Thief, has Cary Grant, the notorious jewel thief come out of retirement? Painted in 2014, Beach is 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
Suzanne Pleshette's real woman portrayal was the opposite of Hitchcock's idolized icey blonde. Smoking and drinking at home in her Bathrobe, painted in 2012. 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel.
Already suspicious, Grace Kelly still plays along. From Dial M For Murder, Newspaper is 24 x 30". Oil on wood panel.
Cool and demure Grace Kelly gets Cary Grant hot and bothered in To Catch A Thief. Fighting is 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel. SOLD
In North By Northwest, Hitchcock's signature cameo is among his most recognized. Hitch Boards the Bus was painted in 2012. 24 x 36". Oil on wood panel.
In Torn Curtain, Paul Newman's defection to the East appears legitimate, until his attempt to give Gromek the slip. Painted in 2011, Chase is 36 x 48". Oil on wood. SOLD
A case of mistaken identity. James Stewart's creepy visit to a taxidermist in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Painted in 2011, Ambrose Chapel is 12 x 16". Oil on wood panel.
Grace is bejeweled while Cary is casual. Still a more glamorous pair is hard to imagine. In To Catch A Thief, Double Portrait was painted in 2012. 18 x 24". Oil on wood panel.
It appears both Abrams and Hitchcock share a fascination with cool, smoking blondes. From North By Northwest, Cigarette was painted in 2011 and is 12 x 16". Oil on wood panel.