The Gator Trap 2023 - A Tribute

THE STORY BEHIND THE ART:
Fellow tigers,
i won't divulge the tragic series of events that led me to the privilege of being a 37-year old server at TJ Ribs Acadian Baton Rouge for a year, or how i managed to be chosen to work the Tiger Athletics Radio Show featuring Coach Jay Johnson during the LSU Tiger's epic 2023 World Series Championship Season run that culminated with a wild victory over the awesome Florida Gators. i worked at TJ's for a year, full-time, walking to the restaurant at about 3pm everyday, getting stiffed at least once every shift, and bringing home about minimum wage before taxes, and would walk home after. i would get home around 2330-midnight with a cold sandwich (and sometimes nothing, depending on pay) that the restaurant made me order at 9pm, a $5 margarita (thanks jonah), and draw/paint on this piece (and others) until 6am, sleep 6 hours, and repeat. as lame as that sounds, i did get to see a greater portion of that season due to TJ Ribs' commitment to showing LSU sports on TV.

i made a bid to get help for funding so that i could make it a bigger painting on canvas, to no avail. so, i used what i had: a sketchbook, an ink pen, and some glow in the dark paint.

The management at TJ Ribs loved the piece, but since i refused to remove the "SUCK THAT TIGER DICK BISH!!!" from the gator's mouth, they refused to have any part of it or display it, mostly due to the official stance of LSU & the SEC regarding The Golden Band From Tigerland's infamous "Neck" tune and the fines incurred from playing it.

The working conditions at the restaurant were--what i thought: unconstitutional, bad for the community, and unfair to the workers i had grown to love--and so, i demanded parlé with the owners to discuss the ideas i had for turning the restaurant into something that actually benefitted the community, while making it healthier and more sustainable, and live up to its tagline of "legendary bbq", as well as delivering my 2-weeks notice... for two weeks i was denied parlé, and so, as a man of principle, i walked.

This move, on top of my outspoken disagreements with the joe biden administration and liberal democrats everywhere, did me no favors in terms of landing another job in baton rouge, and since then have not found any employment of meaning or value. so, the frame i had designed to build for it which included built-in LED lighting (to fully capture the elements of the piece) was never made, and this piece has sat in a box for a year.

i am now planning on leaving this state for good and ever, but i wanted to share this work with my fellow tigers before i dip out...to show, in some way, that i deeply love and care for this state and the people courageous enough to call themselves tigers. i wanted to create something depicting the absolutely savage nature of our tiger spirit, that was also as complicated and intricate as the Louisiana restaurant industry, and as colorful as the people who call this place home.

i grew up a br tiger, spent 5 years at LSU as a student (2007-2011), went to every home football game, have seen 10 national championships play out with my own eyes, and have looked more than one Mike eye-to-eye. i bleed purple and live gold as my base code.

i wish there was something more i could have done for this place, but i am not wanted or loved here, and am censored/blacklisted/shadowbanned all the way quiet, not to mention the Louisiana economy doesn't care about lil white boys like me. so, this is what we get: a little painting on paper. oh well...
#iiwii

i hope you like it. here's a video showing the colors change:
The Gator Trap 2023 on X.com

i wish y'all farewell & the best, fam!
live long and prosper, and may the force be with you!!!
sincerely with love,
your weirdo,
@axonthebeatzzz
"geauxxxx tigerzzz"

p.s.-- yes, i managed to acquire small tubes of fine gold & silver paint, which i used for mike's saber teeth, and the bleachers, respectively. The entire roster's numbers are listed on the right, "teaM VII" (Mike VII) is on the tiger's nose; "Coach Jay", and "1 <3 LSU forever" are on his forehead. The rest, i will leave for you to discover...