Music Therapy Ride 2012

I am very proud to be a part of this years MUSIC THERAPY RIDE.

Now celebrating it’s 11^th 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.

more about THE MUSIC THERAPY RIDE

Whoopi Goldberg

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!!

Robin Williams

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

It's been too long!

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!!

I have been painting!!  Honestly!!

RUSH Time Machine...

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!

Rock and Brews, LA, California!

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!

ps Love your Jimi painting!

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!"

For me that was such a great compliment...