CLOWN SIGHTINGS from the past

It's in the news and all over social media....there are clown sightings everywhere.  Most of the clowns are described as menacing and/or evil. Even the NewYork Times has written about this resurgence of clown appearances or visions.

 During my childhood,  clowns entertained children and families at circuses and parties. They were sort of amusing, like Clarabell on the Howdy Doody Show. But there was an intimidating quality some of these clowns possessed even then. After all,  Clarabell was intensely mute and forced to mime until the final episode of Howdy. I never was bothered by the circus clowns who seemed like harmless goofs.

There was another clown in my childhood that left such an impression that I had to paint him. This one was probably constructed of papier mâché and beckoned all to join him inside Laff in the Dark, a scary fun-house ride at Gwynn Oak Park in Baltimore, MD. And I will add that this was my favorite ride at the park.

"Laff in the Dark" oil on canvas (16" x 20") 2004

"Welcome to Gwynn Oak" oil on paper 920" x 20") 2004