The Stephen Lombardi Surrealism Page

Visionary Art

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1. "Why worms?" One of the most frequently asked questions by
observers of my work. "They are so gross," I often hear, or "they are disgusting." It is responses like these to my choice of subject matter that only confirms how far out of touch we have become with the nature that surrounds us daily. If I may begin in defense of "Earthworms" (so often associated with death) I would like to say that I personally feel that maggots have given worms a bad rap. Maggots are not worms, they are fly larvae, and I agree they are vile and disgusting creatures, but "NOT" worms. In fact, I have never witnessed a carcass encrusted in

When you are done viewing my work, please take some time to check out the websites of some of my personal favorite contemporary artist friends.

Oleg Korolev	Herman Smorenburg
Daniel Hanequand	Andrew Gonzalez
Jurgen Geier	Rene Zwaga
H R Giger	Martina Hoffmann
Phillip Jacobson	Ben Tolman
Jan Machalek	Artur Golacki
Kris Kuksi	Wim Kuenen
Nezir	Martine Rhyner
Ben Tolman	Miguel Tio
Madeline Von Foerster	Alicia de la Campa

2. Earthworms. I realize that this is little off color however it is an association that is for the most part inacurate. When something of the flesh dies, it goes to the maggots, not the worms. Worms are primarily responsible for converting manuere and rotting plant material to fertile soil. Earthworms are primarily vegetarians. Just about everything that we consume has been touched by worms, recycled by them, nourished by them, they are a key ingredient to just about every cycle of life in every ecosystem. I think that they are just beautiful. Nature's (continued below).......

3. perfect organism, designed for a very specific purpose and honestly serving their purpose, in perfect harmony with everything around them. They do not take it personal when we say that they are disgusting or vile, worms just continue to serve their purpose, fulfilling their noble place in our universe. Now wouldn't it be wonderful if more human beings could serve their purpose like that?

The question, "why worms," gives me cause to reflect on moments as a boy, when I would wander alone in the woods, or sit for hours fishing by the lake. >

4. There was a crab apple tree grove by an old abandoned farm house, we called it the haunted house, and this was the best place to dig for worms. I distinctly recall turning the black earth under twisted, pokey crab apple trees and the sense of wonderment which would come over me when I saw the large pink night-crawlers wiggling, exposed, stretching and compressing, making their escape. Thirty years later, as the frost let go it's grip, as the ground began to thaw, it was that same boyhood fascination, a throw back, a trigger, welling up attached, long suppressed emotions, while I cleaned up the winter hay and manure after our goats. They stoked my memories of crab apple fights with my brothers, the Lilac bushes which scented the air from nearby, and the pain of a young artist's soul, so frequently abused and misunderstood. I suppose you could say that I am an odd ball, however I knew right then, if I was going to >

5. heal, I was required to confront those emotions, most productively through my lifework and purpose as an artist. What better way to do it, than by using the inspiration found in these quiet creatures, always busily working.

I have two boys from a previous marriage, who live with their mother outside of Austin, Texas.
They would come to visit in the
early summer. The sun was already hot in the sky, and of course they wanted to go fishing. Worms at this time were scarce, hiding, retreating to dark, cool places. I made up my mind, when it came the next spring to

6. start my own worm farm, which I did. The next spring was here soon enough, so while I was cleaning up the winter manure after the goats, I kept a coffee can close by and as I spotted them, in the can they went,
one after the other. I took an old
4 x 8 foot, wooden cold box, formerly used to start seedlings with, put it in the basement right beside my easel, lined it with plastic and filled it with peat. Of course my fixation with this worm project was getting well out of control, but it was awesome. I had collected literally thousands upon thousands of them for my worm farm. My wife is the relatively tolerant sort. >>>

7. I was struck with amazement by them, several thousand of them in the peat which would heave and swell, as they moved in masses underneath it. To this point in time, I still had not used them in a painting, as I knew that I intended to, I still was not sure how to do it. I had made several observations of them, in large clusters, twisting around one another, they gave the distinct appearance of skinless, striated muscle tissue, the kind that I had seen in my art anatomy books. I realized that this was one way that I could morph them into just about any living form. As repulsive as this might sound, when coated in their own mucus excretion, or as some might say, slimy, they reflect all the colors of the rainbow. I realized that this was how I could make them beautiful. I was still faced with the challenge of an original theme. (to be continued).....