"The Man in Black and White" by Bill Foss

Original Etching and acrylics on aluminum. 24" x 30" ©2009 Bill Foss

Growing up my father played a lot of Johnny Cash songs aroungd the house, records and on his guitar. The Man in Black, The Ghost Rider showed up in a dream15 years ago and we were walking down the middle of a street in Oswego, Kansas.Several small store fronts along a highway, early morning , the wind was blowing,and as we walked along slowly, Johnny looked over and said, " I want you to be in myband, will you play guitar for me?" I turned my head looking back and answered "Sure, Johnny, of course" we continued walking and talking, that's all I remember.

Then Several months ago, I had decided to do a Cash portrait on a large canvas.I patterned out the sketch. That night Johnny again showed up in a dream, this timeat the Oklahoma studio, walking through saying "Hello, good to see you!" Smiling and shaking my hand. There was a peace and love in his eyes and a joyous smile on his lips.I felt that he was happy now and at peace to be on the other side, and I felt I'd had a true visitation.As we walked around the studio talking and laughing, on his way out I pointed to the portrait which I'd drawn out on canvas. He was excited and smiled saying"Nice, thanks!" as he left.

That canvas stretcher became twisted and unuseable which bothered me until recently,during a Johnny Cash tribute at the Coleman Theatre I started another painting in Black & White,though this time on metal. As I painted and painted, the more I painted the less it looked like J.C. ...Until I stepped back deep in thought, looking on, I sat down at the easil once more and zoomed in on his face. I started to see and paint all of the scars and wrinkles and lines on his face. There was an incredible roadmap of experiences on his face. It was like a collection of stories orsongs. So I painted late and not feeling finished with it, left the gallery, to return in the morning to what looked so completely strikingly finished I couldn't touch it! Not another stroke. The eyes were so peaceful, strong and compassionate, that it brought tears to my eyes. And I could hearhis voice. There was definitely a presence in the room. And for the next 2 days, if I really listened, I heard a voice when I looked at the painting. That's the sory behind the painting of "The Man in Black...and White."

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