13 Pills

Pills

Several years ago, my life began to get a little complicated. I was no longer a bachelor and two lives would soon need to learn to... more

by Karl Kroeppler

Buy the Original Mixed Media

Price

$465

Dimensions

13.000 x 1.250 inches

Title

13 Pills

Artist

Karl Kroeppler

Medium

Mixed Media - Mixed Media On Paper

Description

Pills

Several years ago, my life began to get a little complicated. I was no longer a bachelor and two lives would soon need to learn to coexist with each other. It was at that point that I began to notice that my once restful, lengthy, uninterrupted nights of sleep were soon becoming interrupted and rather short in duration.
Amongst other events in my life, I was also accepted into a Masters Program, told I would be teaching during that program, loved ones were ill or passed away, a home was being remodeled and beautiful children were created.
As one may imagine, my once restful nights of sleep were over and insomnia became something I would struggle with for years. I researched the condition and every remedy was explored from mild, warm glasses of milk and meditation before bedtime to taking more extreme measures of hypnotherapy, drinking heavily and finally being prescribed Ambien (I was told it was the prescription sleep-aid to the astronauts). Nothing helped. Sometimes, after two or three days without sleep I began to question my sanity. When I did finally sleep, it would only be for a few hours.
Luckily, with the wisdom and encouragement of my wife, I began to realize that I simply couldn’t cope with some of the extreme pressure “life” presents to me. I have come to terms with the fact that I am a simple human being who enjoys the simpler things in life like looking up into the sky and watching clouds drift by, spending uninterrupted, peaceful moments with my family, listening to music, reading a book and, of course, relaxing in my studio etc. Computers, commissions, deadlines, cell phones, traffic, etc. would have to become someone else’s issues.
Upon completion of my degree, I had to move on from the generous studio space provided for me and into a much smaller space in which to work. Series’ needed to be reconsidered.
The pills series was a perfect solution. I would not only continue elements present in my preceding work but I would also be giving myself an opportunity to take a break from the figure, work small in a smaller space and, most importantly, I would be given a chance to meditate on the events in my life.
Today, I sleep soundly for the most part. I am currently free and clear of any sleep aid other than simply living my life (to the best of my ability) free and clear of stressful situations with the exception of the occasional disrupting event.
Fifteen drawings of pills, one hundred and twenty pills total.

Sleep well.


Karl Gustav Kroeppler

Uploaded

March 14th, 2014