Gallery

Click to enlarge		Bootsy Collins The Funkadelics was the first real concert I ever went to. I was hooked. When Bootsy joined the new Parliments/Funkadelics it was explosive. I've since become friends with Bootsy and know that when I did this painting I had to capture his colorful personality. When he smiles at you through the painting, you can feel his energy!
Frank Zappa I consider myself someone who doesn't follow the crowd, but carves their own place in the world. I have always connected with Frank Zappa because I think he embodies this philosophy by being so outspoken. He took up the cause of freedom of speech through his music in such a fun and comical way. It was enjoyable to capture the antics and quick wit of Zappa through this painting. I had to portray him like we remember him — unpredictable!		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Jimi Hendrix Jimi was the beginning for me; my first real taste of rock 'n' roll. This painting was a challenge as it was hard to decide how to showcase the greatest guitar player. So, I finally decided to keep it simple, spiritual, but powerful.
John Lennon Inspired by the commemoration of his 65^th birthday, I completed Lennon last in this particular series of paintings. The solemn look on his face reminds us to "give peace a chance" as we reflect on a life cut way too short.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Little Richard Little Richard! What can I say! The architect, the showman! I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to photograph him when he came to the Rock Hall and had to capture the absolute joy that is Little Richard in this painting.
Madonna Just as Prince became a challenge, so was painting Madonna. Just what period in her life do you portray to accurately capture the feeling you want to express? I decided on the classic "diva" pose from her Material Girl days, which translated very well in this painting.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Mick Jagger What can you say about Mick except that he's one of the most explosive personalities in music yesterday and today. I wanted to capture a serious mood and also show the young Mick, on the brink of his future stardom.
Peter Gabriel This is my favorite painting in the series. Because of my personal connection with this painting, it became the signature piece of the recent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I have always been a fan of Peter Gabriel and Genesis of old. It was Peter's lyrics and music that got me through many long nights to produce these paintings.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Prince Prince was a difficult painting for me. He has taken on so many looks in his career that I couldn't really decide which would be the most recognizable and memorable time period to use. I started one, but family and friends couldn't connect with it as much as my other paintings. I set it aside and completed this one, which shows a calm profile of Prince deep in the zone.
Ray Charles It was around Ray's birthday that I was inspired to start this painting, so wanted to do something more radical with this piece. I used actual metal for his glasses and intensified the colors so that you feel as if Ray is really focusing his attention on you.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Robert Lockwood, Jr. Robert is also a good friend of mine and a fellow Clevelander. I have been blessed to have spent a great deal of time with him talking, laughing and learning from someone who is truly a legend in the music industry. This painting is inspired by a time when Robert was sitting in a club after a gig waiting for his ride. I had to capture that quiet, retrospective moment in his life.
Robert Plant As the front man for what I consider one of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll bands, I had to paint Robert Plant. I wanted to highlight the strong confidence and almost arrogance of Robert when Led Zepplin was taking over the music world.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Sting This was the first painting I did using this new technique. I started this painting shortly after the fire when I had a burning desire to paint again. I really liked the simplicity, yet realism in the gaze in his eyes that seems to pull you in.
Tina Turner Tina toured the Rock Hall one night and I photographed her. I saw a different side of Tina that most people don't get to experience. That's the person I tried to capture in this painting — calm, soft, and at peace. She is very in tune with her inner self and I wanted that to be the theme in this portrait.		Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge		Usher I wanted to do something different with Usher so I decided to split the image to just half of his face. The painting evolved into a powerful image of a young man on top of his game.