why are bowling allies so gross?

18” x 24” Oil on canvas with collage material

This piece captures a chaotic, familiar moment: a pile of bowling shoes kicked off in a rush, some laces still tied, tossed without care. Built up with layers of oil paint, fabric, magazine clippings, and paper, the surface reflects the casual disorder of the scene itself—tactile, textured, and full of movement.

Cool blues and muted reds dominate the palette, grounding the composition in a kind of nostalgic grime. The title sets the tone—playful but pointed—inviting viewers to pause and reconsider a space often overlooked. Like much of my work, this painting focuses on the cluttered traces of daily life, where mess becomes a record of presence.