Get a hand-painted canvas by Joey (the artist of Akumu Ink). Only 1 available. Painted in Southern California, 2016.

On our recent trip to Rome I had the best experience in a gallery. We arrived on a Sunday as the doors were opening for the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna. We were alone to wander the gallery by ourselves for 30-45min before it began to get crowded.

I got a chance to quietly enjoy paintings from Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edgard Degas, Amedeo Modigliani, Gustav Klimt, etc.

Since getting back I have been so inspired to paint and make new art pieces. The last time I painted anything was back in December 2015. I wanted to start with something familiar, using the techniques I've learned over the years and from looking at these two Van Gogh pieces. In the past I've been commissioned many times to create Heath Ledger's Joker, so I wanted to see how I would interpret it now with all the knowledge I've acquired. I copied Van Gogh's technique for this piece. I didn't try to get the proportions right of Heath's face, I just roughly drew directly on the canvas based on a photo I found. I wanted to keep the proportions wonky and a bit off.

I'm happy with the results, it's very different from what I've done in the past, and that's the point.

• Size: 14"x18" (35.5cm x 45.5cm) stretched canvas
• Media: Acrylic paint on canvas
• Signed and dated
• This painting is sold unframed

All sales on canvases are final. No exchange or refunds. Buying this piece does not transfer artwork copyright.