Belfry Bats – Letting Go in a World gone mad

Belfry bats - 8” x 10” Acrylic Painting by Canman

Kicking off 2026, “Belfry Bats” marks a powerful and symbolic beginning to a new chapter in Canman’s work. A loose visual play on the phrase “bats in the belfry,” this painting reflects the mental noise, pressure, and emotional weight many of us carry in an increasingly chaotic world.

The figure’s head becomes a literal cage where restless bats circle endlessly, representing racing thoughts, anxiety, and the constant hum of stress. Ivy creeps upward, chains weigh the body down, and yet the sky remains open. The message is subtle but clear: the confinement isn’t permanent. Freedom begins the moment we choose to let go.

Painted in rich, expressive color with surreal symbolism, Belfry Bats invites reflection on how the craziness of modern life can leave us feeling trapped—by expectations, fear, or our own thoughts. This piece asks the viewer an essential question: What would happen if you opened the door and released what no longer serves you?

As Canman’s first painting of 2026, Belfry Bats sets the tone for a year focused on emotional honesty, inner liberation, and visual storytelling that resonates beyond the surface.

Original painting and prints are available.
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