Who knew? That many talented singers and rockers are also very gifted artists? It makes sense that creativity in these people can excel in more than one format. I was kind of surprised though by how well some of these pieces are painted. What do you think?
Self Portrait by Bob Dylan, 1970
I am LOVING this portrait. This is a very well done abstract expressionist painting. I like the layers of paint and the visceral quality to it. Even though the lines are harsh and the face is not the softest of faces, the colors make this soothing for me to look at, but the movement in it keeps me interested.
Its easy to think that a painting or drawing such as the one above is simple to execute because it's naive and almost child-like, but it really isn't. This has wonderful composition, and a great balance of colors - in their hue as well as their intensity. Everything kind of leans up to what appears to be a dead tree....what does it mean? And the cup balanced on the head of one of the musicians? I find this painting hectic - but in a somewhat jovial way.
Drawing by John Lennon
John had a distinct style of drawing, seen well here, especially by the character on the left. Sometimes these are referred to as line drawings. When learning how to draw in Art School, a popular lesson is given in which you are told to draw something, using only one line - never lifting your pencil off the paper to break the line. This drawing kind of reminds me of that, especially in the child's body and balloon.
Infinite Solitude by Paul Stanley from Kiss
Courtesy of: Gallery 319
I would of never guessed a member from the band Kiss would produce something like the painting above. I think it is wonderful. Yes it is a canvas that is basically all red. But there are colors deep in the layers, yellow, white, black, purple, orange....then you see the circle in the middle. This is the kind of painting that I wonder what the artist meant. What was their message? Stanley names this Infinite Solitude. I can see that. A circle that is by itself but there is no beginning or end in the relationship to its surroundings, the space around.
Radio City Scape by Anthony Benedetto (Tony Bennett)
Courtesy of: Benedetto Arts
It's no secret Tony Bennett is an artist, an accomplished artist at that. He paints by his given name, Anthony Benedetto and his paintings are vibrant, like his personality. Not always in color perhaps, but in the heavy hand in which he paints. There is no vagueness in his art. It's exciting. This one shows the dark side and the golden exciting side to NYC all in one scene, with just buildings too.
Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell, 1970
Joni Mitchell is yet another 1970's prolific artist and performer. This is a great portrait (self) of her. The line drawing is simple, yet realistic. And then her life is exploding from her clothes, or covering. It is like she is giving us only a peek of who she is. That is my interpretation by just looking at the album cover she made. I am sure by listening to the words I would gather a whole different perspective.
Mingus by Joni Mitchell, 1979
Joni shows her talent in different styles of painting, different than the one painted nine years earlier, Ladies of the Canyon. This has such energy! They could be sitting but everything in this painting is moving! And loud!
Billie Holliday & Bessie Smith by Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones Courtesy of: Gallery 319
Ronnie Wood is also a well known artist as well as obviously a member of one of the most famous bands in the world! This is incredible. He shows the emotion, the personalities of these two famous women. And the piece is precise and authentic. I love this!!
Moonglow for Planet Waves by Bob Dylan, 1974
There is something that I find so interesting and primitive in the way Bob Dylan paints faces. It is almost like outsider art, so uncontrived that it works ... and works beautifully!
The Thames from Millbank (detail) by Paul Simonon from The Clash Photo courtesy of: BBC
What surprised me most about this dark and moody cityscape of the Thames, was that it was done by a member of the Clash. It isn't because I doubt that any of them can paint, and paint this genius! No, I was surprised because in a way this seems to be an almost traditional painting and The Clash are almost the original rebel band! Nothing traditional about them (remember the song "I fought the law and the law won"?)! This has an almost Industrial age feeling about this. Yes there are smokestacks in the background, but I think it's the dark grey and blue colors that give it this feeling of a repression. A busy city but desolate at the same time. That's what I like about good art: they can give you dichotomies. And these rockstars above are good artists. And speaking of dichotomies, I guess so are they.
