Philip Guston’s 1973 painting Smoking, eating depicts the artist himself lying in bed smoking and eating. It is among some of Guston’s most crude works in his late career neo-expressionist movement. It is a characteristic use of both eyes and limbs, typical of many of Guston’s works. The painting then starts to become more unusual with a peculiar feature of missing nose and mouth replacing them with the shape of a lima bean. This breaking away from traditional conventions makes it an eye grabbing work of art.
Another type of work by Philip Guston, Outskirts was first displayed in 1969. Instituting a new way theme such as nature in art, Guston strongly featured symbols such as rocks and cactuses that depict an outspoken attitude. The series was also recognized for its cartoonish visuals as Gustons had included characters from comic strips walking around in these paintings. Outskirts is both an expressionist piece and a homage to cartooning imagery .
