My next two paintings of people I love and admire were easy to choose: Kurt Cobain, from my university days, and Mick Jagger, an icon of the sixties. These key figures resonate with my past and have been great influences on my art. I am drawn to their uniqueness, which I continually aspire to achieve.
There are many parallels between art & music. As I listened to a really interesting interview with Jools Holland and Christine & the Queens the other night, I agreed with her admiration of David Bowie, who was continually changing and showing us different facets of his personality, as well as the unique voice of Bjork. Personally, I would also add Kate Bush and Blondie to this category. To listen to the full interview, click here:
I love the ‘whitened out’ face which I have achieved in my Mick Jagger portrait - something that has been around for a long time in the media, past and present. For example, in Bowie’s ‘Life On Mars', his face is completely white with just his vibrant lipstick and eye shadow showing. It is a technique used by mime artists like Bowie, in stage and television lighting and particularly in fashion photography, where straight frontal light eliminate the facial features. Hark back to the Goth period too and its musical influences.
My portrait of Mick Jagger is based on a watercolour technique, leaving the canvas mainly white and then applying colour, giving it a light and loose feel.
I mixed things up a bit with Jagger, whereas Cobain uses a more traditional oil approach working from dark to light. Both paintings are available to purchase, visit Marvellous Art Gallery or email me.