Raymond Pettibon - Original - Watercolor and Ink

2006  

This unique original artwork by Raymond Pettibon, in watercolor and ink on heavy paper, exemplifies the artist’s distinctive blend of expressive illustration and handwritten text. 

Hand-written text by the artist upper right in watercolor  

Acquired directly from the artist in 2006.

The artwork is bespoke presented - framed under a double custom-made, acid-free, passe-partout in a beautiful high-end plexiglas showcase.  This showcase can be wall-mounted or displayed standing. 
Size showcase approx. 80 x 60 cm 

The piece features a loosely rendered frog in vivid greens and purples, with the handwritten phrase at the top: “This is what a frog looks like when you're -- too late -- going to die —” *** 

This fusion of unsettling text with surreal, emotionally charged imagery is emblematic of Pettibon’s style, where drawing and language form a raw, narrative unity. The piece combines humor, irony, and existential tension in a way that is immediately recognizable within the artist’s oeuvre.

Raymond Pettibon (b. 1957, Tucson, Arizona) is a leading figure in contemporary art known for his incisive commentary on American culture, politics, and subculture. 
Rising to prominence through the punk scene in Southern California in the 1980s, Pettibon initially designed iconic album covers and flyers, including for Black Flag and Sonic Youth. 

His work, often combining loose figurative drawings with poetic, cryptic, or biting handwritten texts, has been exhibited worldwide, including at MoMA New York, Tate Modern London, and the Venice Biennale. Pettibon’s bold, subversive style continues to influence generations of artists and illustrators.