Roots and Blues

When the Saints Go Marching In II (2011)

2011-06-18T17:03:00.006-04:00

The Last Testament (Bunk Johnson)
ink and pencil on found wood
14" x 18" (ish)

Emile Barnes (Honestly I cannot remember what I called this one)
pencil and ink on found wood
12" x 15" (ish)

Clarinet Marmalade (Big Eye Louis Nelson)
pencil and ink on found wood
14" x 18" (ish)

Big Eye Nelson is a continuation of all things simple in the world of rob jones line portraiture. The other two ere just plain fun with the wrinkles and the what have you. On a side note, Big Eye was an honest moniker given Louis Nelson because one eye was bigger than the other and helped differentiate him from the other Louis Nelson on the NOLA jazz scene.

The Future is Unwritten (Joe Strummer) 2011

2011-06-18T16:58:00.002-04:00

The Future is Unwritten
pencil and ink on found wood
12" x 16" (ish)

An early piece continuing last year's fetish with drawing/painting hands and concentrating on line. Joe Strummer is one of my heroes. I was kinda in a funk the December he passed away. Long Live Joe!

The Transfiguration of Jeffrey Lee (Jeffrey Lee Pierce) 2011

2011-06-10T14:37:00.004-04:00

The Transfiguration of Jeffrey Lee
Ink, acrylic, found objects, on found wood
36" x 48" (ish, its a biggin')

(Detail)

Without a doubt, Fire of Love by the Gun Club, is one of my all time favorite albums. Jeffrey Lee is one of my all time favorite musicians. It is a punky, swampy, bluesy, rockabilly trip through spiritualism and mythology via the darkside of voodoo. It is just plain bad-ass. I must have listened to it 20 time working on this painting. Some of those bottles have been a part of other paintings and now they finally have a home. This one falls in the Icon Alter realm with Gram Parsons, Dave Eugene Edwards, and undocumented Fela pieced owned by Ryan Mowry. Anyway, one of the biggest and baddest of '011!

Fat Possum Blues Review 2011

2011-06-10T09:10:00.005-04:00

5 Fat Possum Greats for Chris at Bayport BBQ in MN..home of the Deep Blues. Fun little project, got me listenin' to the albums that got me into the blues in the first place. Thanks Chris!

Ol' Gitfiddle Jim's Old Blues (Kokomo Arnold) 2011

2011-06-09T17:16:00.003-04:00

Ol' Gitfiddle Jim's Old Blues
52" x 14"
acrylic and house paint of found wooden ironing board

I gotta say I love this piece enough to make room for it to hang in my living room (kinda like the El Vez Piece.) I love the mood man, mellow with some intense wood color...I love it. Every once in awhile, the image, the subject, and objects just gel in a way I couldn't even dream of!
Anyway, one of the few recorded pre-war Hawaiian styled slide guitar players; Kokomo Arnold is amazing to say the least.

Hobo Blues\Always Behind the Eightball (Seasick Steve) 2011

2011-06-09T17:10:00.004-04:00

Hobo Blues/ Always Behind the Eightball
49" x 51"
acrylic, house paint and found objects on found wood

Good Ol' Seasick Steve, one of America's greatest contemporary blues dudes, hobo'd for awhile, played geetar of Eric Clapton, was Modest Mouse's touring guitarist, and now an expat, livin' in England...where he is the toast of the blues scene. This painting here is freakin' huge and really freakin' heavy, but it does have a working diddley-bo on it...the first I ever made.

When the Saints Go Marching In

2011-06-04T06:47:00.010-04:00

Johnny St. Cyr

Kid Punch Miller

Papa Celestin

George Lewis

Kid Sheik

Dede Pierce

Big Jim Robinson

So my first show in Alexandria was heavy on the NOLA Soul and R&B folks. This time, by chance of stumbling across a Papa Celestin CD, I have been focusing on the NOLA jazz dudes...instruments for hire. All pieces are roughly 12" x 16" (give or take a few inches) and are done with pencil and ink on found wood. The initial found pieces were colored with this awesome faded lemon yellow color and again by per chance, I had a gallon of oops paint the same color. Big Jim was first, and rarely do I just stop with the line, color is normally my thing...but there is something powerful and basic to just line...

Goin' in for the Master Stroke

2011-05-23T22:05:00.004-04:00

Seriously, painting with this guy is one of my favorite all time things! Unlike his father, this dude is a conceptual artist. I love asking him about his creations. Every stroke, mark, and bit of found debris has a purpose. Huzzah for studio time!! Viva la Vida!

Mr. Funny (PW Long) 2011

2011-05-23T21:51:00.003-04:00

Mr. Funny (PW Long)
Acrylic and house paint on found wood
48" x 24"

So in my music pantheon, none are much higher than the sporadic, nomadic, elusive, and intense Preston W. Long of such awesomeness as Mule (the truest bluest hillbilly punk that there ever was) and PW Long's Reelfoot (same bombast, a little less piss, little more soul.) Mr. Long's solo stuff of late has been freakin' amazing as well...Remembered, awesome album, seriously, I cannot paint and have a few frosty ones with while playin' without a little choke up and a bit of tears...damn powerful. Anyway, I saw this guy play at the High Five, and it was liking watching a legend make a holy din miracle before a chosen few...damn amazing.
So this is it the young and less young...still intense perhaps even more focused now.
"You could put your wishin' in one hand and shit in the other and to see which one fills up first"...wisdom my friends

Viva La Revolucion (El Vez) 2011

2011-04-21T09:38:00.002-04:00

"Viva La Revolucion" ( El Vez)
48" x 42"
acrylic and house paint on found wood

This is one of my favorite pieces so far this year. First large piece I have done in a while. El Vez is billed as the Mexican Elvis, which he is, but he also so much more...listening to one of his albums is like watching the Simpsons (kinda). Its a lot more enjoyable if you are musically learned...El Vez is like a pop culture, pop music rock'n'roll history crash course. Honestly none of this does him or his art justice, just check it out!! Viva la Viva!!

Dirty Doctor Galapagos (2011)

2011-04-21T09:32:00.004-04:00

"Dirty Doctor Galapagos"
25" x 24.5"
acrylic and house paint on found wood

Roughly based on Philly band, Man Man. I love the sickly green the yellow turned on the old wood...sweet eats!

Message on a Bottle

2011-04-14T20:42:00.004-04:00

Pierce (Jeffrey Lee Pierce) 2011
ink and house paint on rum bottle

Curless (Dick Curless) 2011
ink and house paint on bourbon bottle

Childish (Billy Childish) 2011
ink and house paint on rum bottle

It is seriously awesome having fun with art again; doing things I have always wanted to try, but for some reason haven't...its a good thing!

Mike and Ike (Mike Watt and Ike Turner) 2011

2011-04-11T16:44:00.005-04:00

"Rocket 88" (Ike Turner)
acrylic and house paint on found wood
9" x 18"

Say what you want, the dude may have been a sonabitch, but he was one badd-ass musician. His version of Rocket 88 is credited as being one of thee first rock'n'roll songs ever recorded. Let's not forget to mention his funk and soul stuff from the late 60s and early 70s...schmokin', and of course the sheer wickedness of Tina Turner and her work with ol'Ike. I was really looking forward to his collaboration with the Black Keys, but sadly he passed before the project was completed.

"Hyphenated Man" Mike Watt
acrylic and house paint on found wood
22" x 24"

The Flannel -Clad Punk Rock Opera writin' hardest working man in the music biz...Mike Watt. I am looking forward to hearing his latest album, Hyphenated Man. It is all based on the artwork of Heironymous Bosch! Sounds art-nerdy- sweet!

Fun and Loose: Thee Billy Childish and "Skip" Spence (2011)

2011-04-06T20:19:00.002-04:00

"Oar" (Alexander "Skip" Spence
acrylic and house paint on found wood
12" x 14.5"

"Thee Wild Billy Childish"
acrylic and house paint on found wood
16" x 16.5"

So I have really been diggin' the portraiture of Barry McGee lately. His use of line is gorgeous and jaw-dropping. Line is the fundamental element of all things art, so I tell my Kindergartners. I have even been doing mini-portraits on old liquor bottles. Of course they are totally gutbucket and raw, not as beautifully polished as Mr. McGee's. Oh well, I do however, love getting back to just line and a few colors. These pieces are fun and relaxing.
Thee Wild Billy Childish has been an idol of mine for quite some time. The dude makes killer punk-blues-folk-calypso sounds, paints and makes art in general, he's a writer, a producer, a publisher, and all around renaissance man with a penchant for anarchy...love'm.
Alexander "Skip" Spence was a casualty of drug culture in the 60's and never quite recovered after a stay in mental hospital...a wild story involving a fire axe and possible black magic and a lot of drugs, but in a moment of sheer genius and lucidity, he crafted one of thee greatest albums ever, by himself and a producer...Oar. Check it out, if you haven't.

Easy Rider Blues (Moise Robin) 2011

2011-04-05T22:14:00.002-04:00

Easy Rider Blues (Moise Robin)
ink and acrylic on found wood
14.5" x 16"

Moise Robin was next in line, following the unfortunate death of Mayeus LaFleur, as Leo Soileau's accordionist. Moise and Leo recorded many classic Cajun sides together. Moise lived a long prosperous life.

Mama, Where You At? (Mayeus LaFleur) 2011

2011-04-04T11:45:00.005-04:00

"Mama, Where You At?" (Mayeus LaFleur)
ink and acrylic and found wood on found wood

LaFleur's story is a brief one and a sad one. He was abandoned by his mother while he was an infant, raised by his father til his was a toddler, and then given to an uncle when his father could no longer raise a child and make a living. His uncle taught him to play accordion, and he quickly became one of the finest musicians around Louisina. So good in fact, one of the greatest fiddlers of the time, Leo Soileau, made him his partner. Together in 1928, they recorded one of the first Cajun records. On the day Mayeus got paid, he said he was going to use the money to find his mother.
Coming home from a gig, Mayeus stopped at a friend's ( a liquor bootlegger)house for a drink, when a man came up and started a quarrel with the bootlegger over a truck and broken porch. The man started shooting and shot the bootlegger and Mayeus ran to his friend's side to get him to safety and took a bullet to the heart and died instantly. He never had the chance to hear his own record. Told you it was a sad one.

Iron Leg (Mickey and the Soul Generation) 2011

2011-04-04T11:24:00.003-04:00

"Iron Leg" (Mickey Foster and the Soul Generation)
Ink, acrylic, pop can bottoms, and found wood on serving tray and cookie sheet

Mickey and Soul Generation were one of thee first albums that got me into old school funk and soul. I was a long time fan of the organ groove/soul jazz/ Dr. Smith/Jimmy Smith/and of course Booker T. thing, but this was something new and fresh. It had those bubblin' organ grooves, but was served with a side of grit and looseness...killer stuff!
I wanted to do this painting on a old muffin tin, but the thrift stores were fresh out, so I made my own out of an old cookie sheet and pop can bottoms. Mickey is painted on a very fancy mini-serving tray. This is one of those pieces done during paint night, where only non-project oriented pieces can be worked on...kinda like the old days at Kent, with "passion night" as we called it. This one's for you Doug and Jerry!

The Stuff in Between the Stuff That Don't Gets Seen

2011-04-04T11:10:00.007-04:00

"Tea Time With El Diablo"
Acrylic, enamel with sawdust, tea bag, and cheerios, found rope on found wood

"Brother Gut-String"
Acrylic, enamel with sawdust and dirt, cheerios, found tin lid, and rope on found wood

"Old Goat"
Acrylic, enamel with sawdust, tea-bag, cheerios, and found rope on found wood

"The Flower of the Diamond Lounge"
acrylic, enamel with sawdust, cheerios, plastic flower, and found rope on found wood

New gutbucket art, painted quickly and quietly over the span of a couple days. I do not know if they will ever see gallery walls., but it was fun to paint this loose. My son was the one who added dirt to "Brother Gut-String", thanks son!

Hot Bat/ Phill-Ay-Oh-Soul (Honus Honus) 2011

2011-03-30T20:28:00.002-04:00

Hot Bat/ Phill-Ay-Oh-Soul
26" x 31"
All kinds of materials on cardboard and found wood

One helluva nice guy from a helluva nice band...Honus Honus, one of many hairy dudes fronting the white clad junkyard art damaged Philly doo-wop band, Man Man. Catch these guys live if you can, you will not be disappointed!

High Water Everywhere (Charlie Patton) 2011

2011-03-30T17:06:00.002-04:00

"High Water Everywhere"
ink and acrylic on found chunk of ceramic drain pipe
7.5" x 2" x 11.5"

The irony of it all, is twice this image got washed away from the surface: once via the clear-coat, the second time due to nature. Charlie Patton, king of the Delta Blues, wrote several songs about a huge flood he witnessed, back in the day. Thanks to Daniel Tiberius for helping me connect the dots.

Trouble Weighs A Ton ("Grocery Store" Dan Auerbach) 2011

2011-03-30T16:43:00.003-04:00

"Trouble Weighs a Ton"
ink, acrylic, found paper, found objects on found wood
30" x 5.5" x 29"

This here goes out to Daniel Tiberius Schmidt and Ty"rone" Debvoise(?)...good ol' everyman Dan Auerbach of the infamous Black Keys. Now Mr. Auerbach probably doesn't know about his blues moniker, "Grocery Store", but there is a story behind those words, and it isn't really even a good story, but...Dan Schmidt was shopping for groceries in Akron and saw a guy who looked like Dan Auerbach also shopping for groceries. So Dan Schmidt casually asked Dan Auerbach if indeed he was Dan Auerbach and Dan Auerbach said indeed. Dan Schmidt being a very respectable and respectful person, left it at that and let the man shop for groceries in peace.
Anyway, it got me thinking that even wicked 6 string shredders, like Dan Auerbach, need to shop for groceries too...a kinda equalizer of sorts...anyway, everyman "Grocery Store" Dan Auerbach. (And the moniker is helpful when I am telling other people the story so they do not get the two Dans confused.)

The Denver Gentleman (David Eugene Edwards ) Nov. 2010

2010-11-28T20:06:00.005-05:00

David Eugene Edwards, I am not going to write a lot about this man, other than he is very pinnacle of passion when it comes to his faith, performing, and his craft. I have the utmost respect for this gentleman. I had heard he is a self-taught musician and plucked his first banjo from someone's garbage can...and the rest is history. Check out 16 HorsePower and the Woven Hand, two powerful tomes to this man's legacy!

Ink, acrylics, found objects, found wood on found wood

Banjo (November 2010)

2010-11-28T20:02:00.003-05:00

Something new and something fun!! I had been listening to a lot of old-timey music and the sweet tunes of Banjo Outlaw Demi-God, Charlie Poole. This baby is life size and fame of all found objects: two hubcaps, fence wood, garden wire, twine, and curtain brackets.

Angola Special/ Two Wings (Robert Pete Williams) Nov. 2010

2010-11-28T19:46:00.003-05:00

I started this piece in the summer. Had it built and inked, but just couldn't bring myself to start painting it for some reason. I started painting it toward the end of October and finally finished it in November.
Robert Pete Williams was a Louisiana blues man (kinda like the Thelonious Monk of country blues) who was imprisoned in Angola State Penitentiary for homicide. He claims to have shot a man in self-defense, but was sentenced to life in prison. Long story short, a folklorist did some field recordings in the prison, and couldn't believe the stuff coming out Robert Pete Williams. In a plea for Williams' freedom, the folklorist played the music for the judge. The judge was impressed and set Williams free with several years of not being able to leave home. The probation ended just in time for Williams to enjoy the folk and blues revival of the late 60's and 70's.
Anyway, ink, acrylic, and found chicken wire on found wood

One, two, skip a few, 75

2010-11-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

Excuses, Excuses....I gotta million of them, but I have been painting. I have painted a lot of little pieces. I would sketch them out in the morning, ink at night, paint the next morning, again and again. Many of the pieces were and are for J. Gumbos in Gahanna and the new one in Polaris, as well as keeping my hand/eye coordination sharp.
These passed few months have really made me appreciate free time...I rather be with my newly improved healthy wife, my wonderfully eager for experiences son, and our friends, family, and of course, which has always been the case: painting. I much rather make the art,than promote it, catalog it, and blog about it. Anyway the next few posts of kinda like a greatest hits of sorts. I will be posting the smaller pieces as time permits. Happy Thanksgiving!

Summer Baby

2010-08-30T07:11:00.003-04:00

Our summer baby turned two this season. Ezra kept busy lookin' for bugs, huntin' for spiders, going down big slides, diggin' in the dirt, help cutiin' the grass, helpin' growing things in the garden, going potty outside, skinny dipping, gettin' dirty, and wearing bandages on pretend injuries...what a fantastic few months!!!

Lust for Life (Iggy Pop) 2010

2010-08-30T06:56:00.003-04:00

The Rockin' Iguana, godfather of punk, Iggy Pop from his fantastic album Lust for Life (one of my top 100 albums I ever heard). Nice quick little piece: ink, acrylic, and pine cone pieces for teeth on found wood...worth a million in prizes!!!

Head on Over to 4th Street: New digs and New Art

2010-08-29T17:01:00.002-04:00

4th Patio and Grill, on the corner of 4th and 16th...its all done up real nice, all kinds of beer, all kinds of atmosphere, all kinds of food, and all kinds of wicked art from yours truly! Check it out! Sweet happy hour too!
Here is a link to the article in the Columbus Alive.

Keep Cool: The Gypsy (Reinhardt) 2010

2010-08-29T16:51:00.003-04:00

The King of Cool, The King of Gypsy Swing...Django Reinhardt! Ink and acrylic on found wood, heavy man. Django is pretty damn amazing. The dude lost the use of all but two fingers on right hand due to a fire and still is one of the greatest guitarists ever, jazz or other wise. I found a sweet recording he made toward the end of his life, where he recorded with some hip young modern jazz cats and it freakin' swings, all angular and raw with his finesse intact...killer, unexpected from Djanago!

Masterpieces of the Future (Omar Souleyman, 2010)

2010-07-22T20:07:00.003-04:00

Oh yeah, my homage to Syrian Pop Sensation burnin' up the airwaves, Mr. Omar Souleyman. Omar has been creating a wicked blend of traditional Arabic, Persian, and Syrian music with hardcore electronics...he is the voice to some amazing poetry..."I will dig your grave with my bare hands, I will bury you in my chest..." wow, some heavy stuff here!!! Cool stuff and he has made over 500 albums since '94 and the fine folks at Sublime Frequencies have released three wicked compilations of Mr. Souleyman's pure intensity in the last few years. (They have put out plenty of other far out releases, that need to be heard to be believed!)
Ink and acrylic on found metal, found wood, and found tape recorder with plastic flowers

Hoodoo'd Blues (Lightnin' Slim, 2010)

2010-07-22T17:38:00.002-04:00

On a a roll here!!! Thee wickedest swampiest bluesiest gueetar slinger ever there was...Lightnin' Slim. His album Rooster Blues is all that and a bag a chips and an ice cold sixer on a humid day (like today)...ink, acrylic, found, pine cone pieces for fingernails on found wood...this one is headed for the new cajun digs in Gahanna, J. GUMBO'S.

Soul Rebel (Bob Marley, 2010)

2010-07-22T17:28:00.004-04:00

It has been a couple of crazy weeks, but finally we are getting some art up. This was a commission for the greatest bartender at Chile Verde Cafe, Maggie T. Good Ol' Bob Marley, never outta fashion, he will forever be the man...24" x 24" ink, acrylic, found wood, and pine pieces for teeth on wood (a cool little idea I picked up from folk artist Richard Burnside)

Lucha Verde! La Parka (2010)

2010-07-22T17:23:00.002-04:00

Another piece for the Chile Verde Mini-Gallery...the infamous Lucha, La Parka, big and bad and makes think what if Glenn Danzig was a luchadore?!
Ink and acrylic on found wood

Anywhere the Sun Shines (Joe) 2010

2010-06-30T13:19:00.003-04:00

Joe from the rockin' newly reunioned Flower Travellin' Band: old school Japanese blues/psyche/ hard rock/ proto-metal sweetness!
Ink and acrylic on found wood...greatest pair of skinny jeans I have ever painted!

A Long Walk Home (James 'Son' Thomas) 2010

2010-06-30T13:11:00.005-04:00

Like I said before, wicked wicked wicked! My sculptural tribute to Mr. Thomas: sun-dried clay mixed with sawdust, pine cone pieces for teeth, rope, dryer lint, foil, cigarette, plastic rat, paint can lid, .38 bullet casings, found liquor bottle and found wood...and a whole lotta swearin' and hollerin' (wood working ain't my thing)

Devil Blues (James 'Son' Thomas) 2010

2010-06-30T10:14:00.005-04:00

So, this guy is kinda a holy grail in my own particular niche of geekdom...he was a blues musician who also made some wicked folk art and had a mighty interesting life story. James 'Son' Thomas was a grave diggin' skull scultpin' geetar playin' dude from Mississippi. Here is an awesome interview with Mr. Thomas done in '81. Wicked Wicked Wicked...anyway this man has already been the basis of a painting and sculpture and the second painting is on its way!!!

This here painting is on found wood and done with acrylic and ink, found rope, and homemade clay skulls with foil eyes. (It is as if this wood was condition for this image)

Mr. Tambourine Man (Big Chief Monk Boudreaux) 2010

2010-06-22T14:58:00.005-04:00

Now this is thee big chief, I believe, one of two "thee big chiefs" of the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. Big Chief Boudreaux has been leading the Golden Eagle Tribe for nearly a decade after a long run in the Wild Magnolias, chiefed up by Big Chief Bo Dollis...anyway The Mardi Gras Indians are a very wicked culture! This here is the Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, ink, acrylic, feathers, jar lid, poker chips, and pie pans on a found wooden ironing board.

The Fonky Fessa (Professor Longhair) 2010

2010-06-22T14:54:00.003-04:00

The one and only Big Chief, the Professor of Piano Hisself...Professor Longhair. The genius behind and beyond the keys bridging the old and new, the funky and exotic...ink, acrylic, bottle caps, and found wood on found wood.

My Time Outside the Womb (Titus Andronicus) 2010

2010-06-20T09:06:00.004-04:00

Titus Andronicus: a nasty little play from Shakespeare and a nasty little band from New Jersey. I saw these guys in a tiny little hole in the wall and it rocked: kinda like the Pogues and Bruce Springsteen jamming at an east coast hardcore show...good stuff, anyway here is the lead singer/songwriter of the group...Titus does have a very wicked beard! Ink and acrylic on found wood.

My Intentions are War (Lord Invader) 2010

2010-06-20T09:00:00.004-04:00

Lord Invader was one of the most popular Trinidadian Calypso singers to bring the music form to the states. He did so to collect royalties on a song he wrote (Rum and Cola) that was appropriated by a folk group in the fifties. After a very lengthy trial (several years) Lord Invader conquered New York legally, but he vanquished it with his scorching tunes years earlier. Ink and acrylic on found wood.

Love Letters (Lord Cobra) 2010

2010-06-20T08:57:00.002-04:00

Lord Cobra, a... no... thee Panamanian Calpsonian...wicked stuff from this guy
Ink and acrylic on found wood

That Golden Melody (Lord Melody) 2010

2010-06-20T08:55:00.003-04:00

Another Calypso superstar from the golden age.
Ink and acrylic on found wood

The Golden Voice (The Mighty Terror) 2010

2010-06-20T08:52:00.003-04:00

A Calypso superstar: The Mighty Terror
ink and acrylic on found wood

Lucha Verde 2010

2010-06-10T15:25:00.005-04:00

Here's some of the highlights from my LuchaVerde show now hanging at Chile Verde Cafe on Sawmill Rd. Come for the art, stay for the food...it is excellent!! All the pieces are ink and acrylic on found wood.

Gonna Rock this Joint Tonight (Esquerita) 2010

2010-06-10T15:19:00.003-04:00

The one-eyed (maybe I made that up, I read somewhere that he had a wooden eye), extremely tall, white painted face, double bouffant wearin' piano slingin' uniquely fabulash: Esquerita! Which came first, the Little Richard or the Esquerita? Who really knows for sure?! Ink, acrylic, and rope on wood

Down at the Rainbow's End (Hank Snow) 2010

2010-06-10T15:14:00.003-04:00

A tender? portait of the man whose been everywhere...ink, acrylic, rope, and plastic flowers on found wood

Super Sonic Astral Projection (Sun-Ra) 2010

2010-06-10T15:11:00.003-04:00

The mighty Sun-Ra, slightly less tripped out than normal...ink, acrylic, plastic flowers, and stereo parts on found speaker panel

The Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder) 2009

2010-06-10T15:06:00.003-04:00

Been going through a serious early 70's Stevie phase. This one is for Ezra Bean, we have been diggin' Stevie's Superstitious on Sesame Street! Ink and acrylic on stretched fabric...37.5" x 48"

United Our Thing Will Stand (James Booker) 2010

2010-06-10T15:03:00.002-04:00

The great gonzo pianist from the Big Easy! Ink, acrylic, bottle caps, found wood on found wood

Hell's High-Sheriff (Peetie Wheatstraw) 2010

2010-06-10T14:56:00.003-04:00

Peetie Wheatstraw: Hell's High-Sheriff, The Devil's Son-in-Law, and one of the first musicians to take on and perform under a "fiendish" alter ego...on a side note he is usually pictured with a geetar, but in actuality he played a very wicked piano! Ink, acrylic, straw, and found wood on wood.

The Log Bomb (Bob Log III) 2009

2010-06-10T14:52:00.004-04:00

"Ladies and gentleman...Bob Log the Third, one man band from Tuscon, Arizona...I am a professional goddamnit!" See this cat live, holy smokes, it'll change your life...ink, acrylic, and found wood on found wood

Los Tres Gallos (The Three Roosters of Mexico) 2010

2010-06-10T14:47:00.002-04:00

The Three Roosters of Mexico: Javier Solis, Jorge Negrete, and Pedro Infante were extremely popular singers and actors who died early and tragic. Ink, acrylic, rope, plastic flowers, and found wood on found wood

Folk Blues (Leadbelly) 2009: response to LA trip

2010-06-10T14:43:00.001-04:00

Short and sweet little piece of Leadbelly. Ink and acrylic and bottle caps on found wood...found in Louisiana, anyway this is going to the Holcombes. Thanks for all your hospitality and great kindness!!

From All Sides (Vince Guaraldi) 2010

2010-06-10T14:36:00.005-04:00

This one's for you Jerry Kalback! Pretty large and heavy...I mean heavy freakin' piece. Ink and acrylic, found wood, Peanuts finger puppets, and poker chips on found wood

Milestone 2009: Grievous Angel Blues (Gram Parsons) 2009

2010-03-23T20:07:00.002-04:00

Yeah I know, '09?! Especially when this year is a quarter over!!
Gram Parsons, the grievous angel, large and iconic!

Post Finally!!!

2009-12-02T20:35:00.002-05:00

So really, after a near sell out show in Louisiana, I am finally able to post something, or I have something to post. October-present have been a blur of social obligations, teaching, and fatherhood. (The fatherhood part is definitely the best of the three and teaching is pretty great too!) So first in october for the "Grocery Store" Dan Auerbach show (which by the way was freakin' amazing), another poster that didn't get used do to some bad timing on everybody's part. This is simply ink and water color on paper and influenced by illustrator Jim Flora!

Finally!!

2009-08-18T15:35:00.003-04:00

Bois Sec (Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin)
ink, acrylic, sawdust and bottle caps on wood
18" x 24"
8.09

Finally, the final piece to a two year project. This is the last painting for my Let's Make a Record show in Alexandria, Louisiana. He is number 33. Bois Sec was one of my first discoveries when I started researching for this series. I truly believe his music is the sound the Earth makes rotating on its axis...its creaky, passionate, dusty, and raw. Bois Sec fathered several musically inclined children, and was one of many in a deep musical lineage. He bridged the gap between the pre-war Creole/Cajun music and the Zydeco revolution and folk revival of the 60's and 70's. Anyway, Bois Sec is creole for dry wood. Apparently, Alphonse was always the first to find cover if a storm broke, hence Dry Wood!

Call The Doctor!!!

2009-08-18T15:21:00.003-04:00

Call the Doctor (Dr. Isaiah Ross)
ink, acrylic, found objects on found wood
7.09

Here is the latest installment of my Blues Reliquary Series, illustrating the incredible one-man-band Dr. Ross the Harmonica Boss. He is definitely one of my favorite blues personalities...just look at that mug! People called him doctor because he was one of the few folks in his hometown who could read and write and this moniker led to him carrying his harmonicas in a doctor's medical case. He was in several bands after WWII, but decided to go the one man band route to put an end to the bickering and bad relations that can lead to a band's demise.
Dr. Ross is one interesting guy and his music is fantastic. He started recording for Sun Records, did some time with Arhoolie, and his most famous recordings are probably from Detroit's Fortune Records. Speaking of Detroit, he worked at the same General Motors plant for most of his life.
As a side note, I love the squirrel thermometer on this piece. I found that way back in '98 when I first moved to Columbus and it has found its way into several pieces of art, but now it ain't goin' nowhere!

Something Wicked

2009-08-03T06:37:00.004-04:00

Something Wicked(Rosie Ledet)
pencil, ink, acrylic, and bottle caps on wood
24" x 18"

This here is the Sweetheart of Zydeco, Rosie Ledet. More currently, I believe, she has been crowned the Princess of Zydeco. Anyway she has a very soulful voice and squeezes one hell of an accordion. She is a great example of the current scene in Louisiana, one that draws heavily from the sound of the past while still creating something fresh. This maybe the only contemporary artist I did for the Alexandria show...wow, 1 out of 33

Happy Birthday Mr. Bearer

2009-07-24T16:15:00.003-04:00

Mitchum on Still Life
ink, pencil, and acrylic on found wood on found still life painting
7.24.09

Here's a little quickie for the jack-of-all-trades, Philly ex-pat, and patron of the arts both visual and verbal...thee Mr. Paul Bearer! Happy birthday man

This Dude is on a Roll

2009-07-24T15:52:00.005-04:00

The Revivalist (Bunk Johnson)
ink, acrylic, and sawdust on wood
18" x 24"
7.23.09

The Patron Saint of Rhythm (Dave Bartholomew)
ink, acrylic, and sawdust on wood
18" x 24"
7.23.09

All right, all right, all right!! Two more pieces done for the big art extravaganza down in Alexandria, Louisiana. I painted these two gents back to back yesterday. Ol'Bunk was a lotta fun. He turned out real loose with colors going exactly where I wanted them too. Mr. Bartholomew was another story involving sweat, toyle, and a fair amount of cursing...but I figured it out and he looks mighty fine.
Now for a little bit of history (Vague and brief)...Bunk Johnson was the trumpet player all other famous trumpet players of the New Orleans Jazz scene of the 1920's claimed to be the best. We are talkin' King Oliver and Louis Armstrong here, sayin' ol'Bunk was the man. Now not much history or background can be proven about Bunk. Matter of fact he would lie and embellish every aspect of his life as much as possible (so the scholars tell us); so it is hard to say what is real and what ain't with Bunk... hence the name Bunk, as in "that's a lotta bunk"...But what can be proven is that once he got his new teeth Bunk lead the dixie land revival in the 1940's with his mean ol'trumpet blazin' the way until he passed in 1949.
So David Bartholomew wrote and produced a whole lotta hit songs from the New Orleans Canon of 50's R&B, which is really Rock'nRoll. He worked very closely with Fats Domino and several other NOLA artists during that time...he even wrote My Ding-a-ling! (I would have never guessed that) Anyway, I believe he is still alive and blowin' one bad trumpet when the muse calls!

A Postcard from Oblivian

2009-07-23T10:02:00.002-04:00

Clutch @ the Newport
So after being a little disenchanted with Clutch's last outing, I am looking forward to this here play date with Doom/Punk axe wielding god, Wino. Clutch has dropped the blues, or made it less obvious and have promised a return to rock...now I really liked the bluesy/organ driven Clutch. That raw dusty dumptruck blues sounds fit them, oh well, I reckon I was in the minority, so we will see! Anyway, I have it on good word that the fine folks at the Newport will be using this one.

I Love this Guy!

2009-07-23T08:34:00.003-04:00

This is definitely my son! Ezra handled turning one like a champ. He is a very contemplative young man, sporting his little sailor shirt that belonged to his Grandpa Jones, having his post party pipe. The melt down occurred about 26 hours later during bath time the next evening.

Soul Mechanic

2009-07-16T13:32:00.004-04:00

Soul Mechanic
ink and acrylic on found wood
7.16.09

Awww sshhortnin'bread...one of my all time favorite favorite musicians of any genre period, the mighty Lee Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey was a soul singer from New Orleans who worked closely with super-producer Allen Toussaint and super funksters, the Meters, to record some of the funkiest soul ever to come outta anywhere, even New Orleans (the land of funky soul). You probably know more his songs than ya'll think: Workin' in a Coal Mine, Yes We Can, Ride your Pony...I don't know what it is about this guy, he seems very unassuming, great soulful chops, and spent time as a boxer, and mechanic and performed til the end of his days. He even opened for the Clash in the 80's.
The lovely texture on the painting is from painting on an old painting that also had lots of lovely texture...recycling, do it for Al Gore do it for you!

Nothin' But the Devil

2009-07-16T13:22:00.003-04:00

Nothin' But the Devil
ink and acrylic on found wood
7.13.09

Thee wicked bluesman, Lightnin' Slim, played a mean swamp drenched blues in the style of label mate Slim Harpo. One great chracteristic of these Excello blues artist is the laid back atmosphere their music creates. It is never rushed, rarely urgent, and pretty damn groovy! Slim liked his shit stripped down and chill, usually accompanied by a drummer and harmonica...why dontcha blow dat harp boy!?

Man Man, Man tonight @ the Summit

2009-07-10T14:09:00.005-04:00

A Little Touch of Man Man in the Night
ink and water color on paper

Talk about a killer live show, let's talk about a killer live show...this five guys in white know how to throw one hell of a live show. There sound is somewhere like a hairy Tom Waits/Beefheartian Surf Philly Soul Doo-Wop group playing ragged, gutbucket R&B complete with war paint, facial hair, and a melodica! Check'em out tonight, tickets are $15 at the Summit. This was my unoffical flyer that I am sure the Benco dude or dudes didn't use...oh well

The Night Tripper 7.09

2009-07-10T13:50:00.000-04:00

The Night Tripper (Dr. John)
24" x 30"
ink, acrylic, sawdust, and bottle caps on wood

Well well well, it has been a long time since I have been up on here! Here is the latest to head to Alexandria, LA, I believe it is number 26 with about 5 more to go. Here is thee good doctor, Dr. John. Long before he was this cuddly, gruffed voice, Nawlins' Jazz Powerhouse Piana playin' cat with a fedora, suit, and ponytail, he was Dr. John the NightTripper. The Good doctor released four psych-o-delic voodoo swamp funk records: Gris-Gris, Remedies, Babylon, and the Sun, Moon, and Herbs. Gris-Gris sets the mood instantly with its snaky swampy groove and the album does not let up. Walk on Gilded Splinters is awe-inspiring and has been the catalyst for two different paintings: one has been dismantled and the other is nearly finished so stay tuned!

Gettin' on the Good Foot

2009-03-23T09:41:00.005-04:00

Well well well, its been awhile since I've been up on here. In February a wind storm knocked out our interweb for about a week and a half and knocked me out of my routine, but now, a month later, it's spring break and here we are!! I have managed to score me two art shows in the next two months and luckily I can use some of the same pieces if I want, but I don't really want...so lots of painting for me!! Hooray!
Here is the one piece I finished in February. John Cale and Terry Riley, or perhaps my brother-in-law, Ryan and Terry Riley (Ryan says he remembers those Terry Riley days well). Anyway this is inspired by their collaborative album Church of Anthrax. This bad boy is one of my submissions for the Agora show and will appearing in April's gallery-hop.

Church of Anthrax
2.2009
ink, acrylic, and found objects on found dresser sides

Huzzah Huzzah a Snow Day

2009-01-28T21:39:00.004-05:00

Crying Bludd: A Blues Reliquary for Billy Childish
39" x 47.5"
ink, acrylic, found objects, found wood on the back of a found dresser
1.28.09

My whole family had a snow day today!!! Instead of sleeping in, I got up and painted. I realized I could do this everyday, all day. I spent nearly 5 hours straight on this piece (which hasn't happened for awhile). It was great to spend the day with Reggles and Beanie!

Anyway, this is Wild Billy Childish of Thee Milkshakes, Thee Might Caesars, Thee Headcoates, and the Pop Rivets fame. He is a kinda garage-punk renaissance man. He is a prolific painter, printer, poet, and music maker and music producer, and a favorite subject of mine. This may be the fifth portrait of Mr. Childish I have painted in about 4 years. I really enjoy his work with the Chatham Black Hands and the Singing Loins...check'em out. This is number 12 for the year!!
PS I ain't lookin' forward to cleaning of the CRV tomorrow at 6 a.m...

Being Cute for America

2009-01-27T05:39:00.005-05:00

Somehow, Ezra Bean keeps getting cuter and cuter...must be those strained peas!! Thanks Auntie Lauren for the awesome shots of our Bean!

Let's Make a Record.03

2009-01-19T20:42:00.005-05:00

Champion's Blues
24" x 24"
ink and acrylic on wood
1.19.09

Champion Jack Dupree was the master of New Orleans Barrel House Boogie Woogie Piano. His good Friend Tuts was the jazzier side and the Champ was the bluesier side of the same coin.

Here's a little bit'a sweetness: the Champ with King Curtis!!!

Let's Make a Record.02

2009-01-19T18:29:00.003-05:00

Professor Piano
20" x 27"
ink, acrylic, sawdust, bottle caps, and found wood on wood
1.19.09

Isidore "Tuts" Washington, the granddaddy of New Orleans Boogie Woogie Piano Rhythm and Blues. He was the big influence on Toussiant, Fessa, Dr. John, James Booker, and on and on...hail Tuts!!! Here is a short and sweet bio of Tuts at allaboutjazz.com.

Here's Tuts ticklin' them ivories!!!

Let's Make a Record

2009-01-18T10:49:00.004-05:00

Rockin' Chair Man
ink, acrylic, sawdust, and found wood on wood
27" x 40"

Here we have D.L. Menard, the Cajun Hank Williams. When this gentleman isn't rockin' a house party, crawfish boil, or gently strummin' his six-string, he is making the finest rocking chairs in Louisiana.

This painting no. 17 for my first one man show in an official gallery. I want to have about 40 pieces for my show at River Oaks Arts Center in Alexandria, LA. The title of the show is Let's Make a Record and all the pieces are portaits of Louisianian musicians.

Here is a little D.L. magic!!!

The Best Kept Secret in Town

2009-01-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

Cult of the Psychic Chile
oil and charcoal on wood
24" x 24"
1.11.09

Cult of the Psychic Chile II
oil and charcoal on wood
24" x 24"
1.11.09

WATCH OUT!!! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE...

Hangin' out with Daddy

2009-01-04T21:18:00.005-05:00

Daddy's little helper in his cold cold studio, hence the flannel sported by little Ezra Bean.

Enjoying the Bonzo Dog Band despite the oil paint odors and brisk studio temperatures.

Guess what color of oil paint Ezra's shaker fell in?!

Hittin' the Ground Running in '09

2009-01-04T15:15:00.007-05:00

Gnome Enthusiast V
oil and charcoal on found wood
32.5" x 29.5"
1.2.2009

Gnome Enthusiast IV
oil and charcoal on found wood
16.5" x 29.5"
1.2.2009

Gnome Enthusiast III
oil and charcoal on found wood
16.5" x 29.5"
1.2.2009

Gnome Enthusiast II
oil and charcoal on found wood
16.5" x 29.5"
1.2.2009

Gnome Enthuisiast
oil and charcoal on found wood
16.5" x 29.5"
1.2.2009

So yeah, it's been awhile since I have done this blogger thing. Anyway, after seeing Clutch for the umpteenth million time and leaving the show a little jaded, jilted, and a bit inspired I finally had a second to paint on the 2nd and cranked out these five portraits. Each took under the length of your average Clutch album. These are some of the hardcore fans I had the pleasure of sharing my immediate space with nestled behind the sound man. Oh yeah, for you nonclutch-o-philes, Gnome Enthusiast is a song title from Clutch's Jam Room album, great song, great album!
Bright Moments!!