This past weekend I was very fortunate enough to attend the Paul McCartney show at BC Place in Vancouver. The whole experience was absolutely fantastic! I am a huge Beatles fan, and I like a lot of the Wings stuff too... the set list was a great mix of mostly Beatles tunes, and the Wings huge hits. 38 songs, 3 hours of non stop entertainment. Electrifying atmosphere! To be in a building with 40,000 people singing "Hey Jude" in perfect unison is something I will never forget and always feel fortunate to have been there at that moment...
The songs spanned decades of an amazing career. Early Beatles to The White Album. Wings to present day. The catalog is immense and there was a buzz towards the encores... of "What's next..?"
The show couldn't have kicked off any harder and energetic as it did with "Magical Mystery Tour" I thought to myself... "Wow, this is going to be awesome..." It was. Every second of it start to finish! Sir Paul may be 70+ but man, this guy left it all on stage, no breaks, no costume change, present for 3 hours rockin' and rollin with the crowd mesmerized at the sheer spectacle of genius.
I have had the good fortune to have seen many great bands and artists in my time.. this show was quite possibly the very best of the lot! An incredible journey into the soundtrack of my life... Thank you Paul McCartney for all the music and memories.
Just recently I was fortunate enough to meet a true Blues Legend, Mr Buddy Guy! Buddy was kind enough to sign my original artwork and compliment my work, which is a real honor...
Critically acclaimed, he is a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the 1960s Guy was a member of Muddy Waters' band and was a house guitarist at Chess Records. He can be heard on Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" and Koko Taylor's "Wang Dang Doodle" as well as on his own Chess sides and the fine series of records he made with harmonica player Junior Wells.
Ranked 30th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time",
Guy is known for his showmanship on stage: playing his guitar with
drumsticks or strolling into the audience while playing solos. His song
"Stone Crazy" was ranked 78th in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.
A real treat for me was that on this tour, joining Buddy is a young future legend Jonny Lang. His show was fantastic! The last time I saw him play was as a young teen opening for the Rolling Stones many years ago!!
This recent project was a lot of fun! I was given the chance to paint and meet the one and only Mr Russell Brand... yes, old Rusty Rockets himself!
I am a fan, so this was an easy one.. of course I was nervous about showing him the work... but, he loved it! I was taken back by his kindness, lovely personality and funniness.
As I painted the work, I took photos documenting the progression.. I thought it might be interesting to some people so they can see how the work developed...
A really fun project highlighted by meeting and having Russell enjoy the work!!
I am very proud to have been asked back to The Legends Experience this year in Edmonton AB. The event is hosted and produced by the Edmonton Kinsmen...
Kin Canada is a non-profit community service organization. Clubs
across Canada work in their communities to promote service, fellowship,
positive values and national pride.
More than 7,000 members belong to over 500 Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs
from coast to coast.
Every year, Kin clubs contribute millions of dollars to
Canadian communities. In fact, Kin members have proudly contributed more than $1 billion to
Canadian communities since their Association was founded in 1920.
Last year The event welcomed Wayne Gretzky, being a Legend and Oiler during the dynasty years it was quite fitting the Experience should start with him.
This year, 2012 the event hosted yet another Legend and one time Oiler Mark Messier...
Messier is considered one of the greatest NHL players of all time.
He is second on the all-time career lists for regular season points
(1887), playoff points (295) and regular season games played (1756). He
won six Stanley Cups , five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers, and is the only player to captain two different professional teams to championships. His playoff leadership while in New York, which ended a 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994,
earned him the nickname "The Messiah". He was also known, over the
course of his career, as "The Moose" for his aggression and strength. In 2007, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility.
I am honored to have been offered the task of creating the official portraits for both events. I enjoyed painting both very much. In the 2 events combined the artwork was signed and raised a total of $45,111 for amazing causes such as Cystic Fibrosis Canada. This is something I am very proud of!
I will be posting more pics from this amazing event very soon. Many thanks to the Edmonton Kinsmen and Kin Canada for putting together another world class event, and for their time and gracious hosting.
The Event was such a great experience. I am very proud to have been a part of it for the second year, and look forward to 2013!
The same as the Russell Brand painting, I took a
photo periodically to document the progression
of the work from blank canvas to finished piece.
Take a look at the video below. Thanks!!
I am very proud to be a part of this years MUSIC THERAPY RIDE.
Now celebrating it’s 11th Anniversary, MTR has raised over
$500,000 as a result of its annual ride from Vancouver to Whistler. In
2012, MTR will rev its engines even louder, and provide a presidential
escort to a new location, beautiful Harrison Hot Springs.
In addition
to aiding Music Therapists and general Music Therapy programs, the MTR
committee has funded a recording studio at BC Children’s Hospital,
as well as manufactured a mobile recording studio to service patients
bedside in the hospital. The mobile studios, operating under the name “Band Wagon 1”,
enable Music Therapists to expand their already vital work by giving
clients the ability to record the music created during their therapy
sessions. This music will provide a legacy for their family, friends and
community.
This years event will be taking place from Fraser Downs Raceway to Harrison Hot Springs BC. The organizers have again done a great job of planning a fantastic event. This years guests include Shannon, Sophie and Nick Tweed Simmons, and musical guests 54-40. I personally am donating a 48" x 48" Giclee print stretched, ready to hang portrait of Gene Simmons.
The original is 48" x 48" acrylic on canvas. The title is "I Love It Loud" Gene has been kind enough to agree to sign the print that will be auctioned.
I am really looking forward to the event and hope that we raise a lot of money for such a great cause!
I will update after the event.
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have the great opportunity to meet Whoopi Goldberg, show her the painting, and have her personally sign it.
Whoopi is one of a few entertainers who has won, an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, and a Tony Award. This accomplishment puts her most definitely in the category of Legend.
Meeting her for me was a really amazing experience. She is truly a kind, warm, generous person.
She expressed how much she really liked the work and was very complimentary. To have someone like her approve and endorse my work means so much.
The work measures 30" x 40" and is painted in acrylic on canvas.
Looking forward to my next 2 projects... 2 more real big names in Sport and entertainment! Stay tuned!!
Wow!! What a great time this was... I got to paint a portrait of Legendary comedian, actor Robin Williams! Thanks to the great people at River Rock Casino Resort, especially Howard Blank.
We have worked out a great concept for local charities... I paint the big acts that come to town, the artist signs them, River Rock display them and then at the end of the year we auction them all off for great local causes! Everyone's a winner!!
Of course the highlight for me on this evening was the real thrill of meeting Robin. I have met some really big names in entertainment, but this was pretty special because I am such a fan... Plus, he is an Academy Award winner!! Very cool!
As I had hoped, he truly is a very funny, humble, warmhearted person who really appreciated that I took the time to paint him. He really liked the work, and for me.. well, that is just awesome!
I will be posting more work for River Rock Casino Resort in the near future.. lots of very cool acts will be coming through, so stay tuned!! For now, check out what a great place River Rock is... River Rock Casino Resort
Yes, there has been waaay too much of a delay since my last posting... But I am determined to stay current as of now.. I kinda have to because I have a brand new website about to launch!! Super stoked! It also means I have to try to figure out twitter.. It would make sense since there will be a "follow me" link on the site. For anyone that decides I may have something interesting to say and follows me... well, I don't want to let down the twitter world!!
Given the opportunity to paint RUSH by ROCK 101 FM Vancouver was amazing!
RUSH were part of the stations 40th anniversary celebration. I got the basic layout done and then completed the work on the 5th hole at the Bro Jake Open, a golf tournament that raises money for the Make A Wish Foundation which is an amazing cause.
Here are some photos of the work in progress...
working in the basic layout and blocking in as much canvas as possible.
Starting in on some detail of one of the guys, Alex Lifeson. If I am painting say 3 people in one painting, I usually like to start the detail to an almost finished stage on each individually. There is no real reason, I just like to see how the others will balance out.
Still blocking in dtails, at this point I was trying to figure out how I would approach the crossed guitars so they would blend, but still be separate. I thought about some color for the background, but I knew that would change.. It just didn't feel right.
Here I started to block Neil Peart in. I really liked the movement in the drumsticks, and now I am pretty happy with the composition.. The background will change to tie it all together.
The details are all now coming together, Alex's tee shirt and the guitar neck... I hate doing some of the details at this point! lol Especially a guitar neck which has to be pretty precise and have the correct perspective... Th e work really slows down at the finishing stages. I usually get anxious to finish, but focus in the knowing that the details like that really make the painting something special.
Geddy Lee was the final guy to be finished... I love RUSH, but I have to admit Geddy is a fav for me.. As far as talent, skill and playing the bass goes.. there is no one quite like him. The same can be said for the whole band.. AMAZING talents and Real Gentlemen!
It was an honor to meet the guys and have them see my work... I'm glad to say, they really liked it, and for me that is a compliment that exceeds all expectation. Thank you to RUSH, Rock 101, Bro Jake and Aaron Buckley for making the whole experience a Fantastic milestone in my career!
So, I was contacted by owners of Rock and Brews and asked if I would be interested in having my work in their restaurant... I was pleasantly surprised the owners that approached me were Mike Zislis, LA restauranteur and boutique hotel owner, Dave Furano, Rock promoter legend, co-founder of Winterland Productions and Sony Signatures with his brother Dell, also he was President of Bill Graham Presents for most of the 70's. Last but by no means least the other partner, Mr Family Jewels himself, Gene Simmons.
Now I'm listening!!
As the project came to life, four of my paintings made it to the Wall of Rock. Mine were the only artist renditions.. the rest being photos. This for me was very flattering that they only chose to use my work. This was especially true in the case of Genes image.. out of all the images he could have used, he chose my painting of him! Wow, that for me is quite the endorsement!
The other images chosen for now are Elvis, Cobain and Hendrix.
My Manager, David Brian and myself were invited to the Grand opening on April 3rd 2012 which was a blast!! I got to chat with Gene again and connect with all the rest of the Rock and Brews Team.
Many thanks to them all for making us feel welcome! The food and drink there is absolutely mouthwatering.. if you check it out, get the Backstage Burger or any of the Pizzas... If you love Beer.. look no further with 100 craft brewed beers available!
Jimi Hendrix has got to be my favorite subject. I am a fan first and foremost, and that is probably why I paint him every now and again. I love the music. I love the image. I love what he accomplished in such a short time. Jimi passed away at age 27... I look back at 27 and think, I was just a kid!!
The most famous photo session of Jimi and the lads was at Masons Yard in
London. The photographer was Gered Mankowitz. I was very fortunate
recently to have had him seen some of my work, and he most graciously
signed a copy of his book to me with the inscription "For Dave, you are a great artist, Gered Mankowitz, ps love your Jimi painting!"
I have always been a bit of an Elvis fan... The 1957 Elvis was the first painting I did after returning from studying in Santa Barbara with Sebastian Kruger. It definitely had an impact on my style. The 68 Elvis was pretty recent.. I just liked the look of the Comeback Special. It was I think Elvis at his very best.
This is a project I decided to do, mainly to practice textures such as leather. I was very happy with the outcome and really enjoyed the project. Rediscovering The Ramones was a real pleasure. Whenever I paint I usually gear up to the work by listening to their music for a while... Whilst painting I constantly listen to the music of the subject. It becomes inspiring and I can't help but believe that a little extra magic is infused into the work.
I just recently was asked to attend the 2012 event and create a portrait of Mark Messier for the upcoming Legends Experience. I am very excited to work alongside The Kinsmen again and be part of what I am sure will be another fantastic evening.
2011 was the year of another event, The Legends Experience. This event was put on by the Kinsmen of Edmonton. The event was a celebration of Wayne Gretzky's career. I was asked to create a portrait of Wayne that was auctioned off for charity. He signed the work and we auctioned it off and raised $30,000. The Kinsmen really excelled in pulling off an incredible evening with other hockey legends in honor of Waynes incredible career.
Thought I would do a little review of the highlights of 2011. It was a great year, not only for Art but personally too.
Early in the year I got to paint live at The Bro Jake Open. This is a Golf Tournament put on by Rock 101 FM Vancouver. The event was a lot of fun and there I sat on Hole #5 painting Legendary Canadian Rock Band RUSH.
The work was auctioned off for The Make A Wish Foundation. Not only fun, but very rewarding to help out such a great cause. The highlight for me was the chance to actually show the painting to the Band and get their seal of approval. Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson were both very impressed and were gracious enough to pose for a photo opportunity. To have an endorsement on my work by having the subject really like the work is for me the ultimate compliment.
Happy New Year 2012! Well, I know it's Jan 10 already, but here is the first post of my blog...
I have never written a blog before, but I have heard it is a great way to let people know what is going on in my Art World. I would like to think I can write some interesting stuff and post some kinda cool pics..
I am trying to enter at least one or two posts per week... fair? I think so.
