Innovative Fine Art Guitar Paintings

The definition...

graph-ic (graf'ik), adj. belonging to painting or drawing, picturesque.

gui-tar (gi-tar'), n. a musical instrument of the lute family, usually with six strings which are plucked or strummed with the fingers or a plectrum.

"Innovative" because...

"Graphicguitars" has been developed to fill a void. Search the worldwide web and art galleries around the world for fine art guitar paintings and it will be evident that "Graphicguitars" are "uncommon, creative and innovative." The "commanding" size (approximately 4 feet by 3 feet) and dynamic graphic design captures the viewer and the display environment.

The artist/guitarist...

I have been playing the guitar for over 20 years and I've been an artist forever. It has been a process of development in recent years combining the two to "make music with art." Beginning with a few old guitars and some paint, I would "create" on the surface of the guitar bodies, neck and headstock. I then experimented with a few total body designs. The guitars were not meant to be playable, only decorative. With a love for the sculptural aesthetics of the guitar body and a background in the arts, I continued to perfect the guitar graphics.

I have a bachelors degree in Art, a Masters degree in Education/Communication, I've been a freelance illustrator for years, and I'm currently a commercial art/photography instructor in a vocational/technical center. I am also a distant (very) relative of the American artist Georgia O'Keefe. Perhaps some of her style can be found in the close-up guitar paintings that began to flow into existence about a year ago. Another powerful influence came from the book on Ferrington guitars. Danny Ferrington creates incredible guitars! The graphic design of the book is outstanding! It was done by the graphic design studio of Skolos/Wedell, and each page is a "poster" of guitar beauty in itself. Yet to come is the influence of the "Blue Guitars" book featuring the collection of Scott Chinery.

With unlimited guitar body styles and colors there are even more possible design and guitar combinations available in "graphicguitars." Each finished painting includes an "embedded" guitar creating a three- dimensional, sound producing work of art. "graphicguitars" are hand painted and meant to look "hand painted" by various application of paints.

The process evolved from painting the guitar itself to painting a panel with the guitar attached. Part of the "vision" came from watching a TNN program about the life and home of Gary Chapman. As the camera followed Gary around his home I noticed the paintings on the walls of the large home. There were lots of walls without paintings. There were no paintings of guitars. Gary Chapman has a guitar room with hundreds of guitars in a rack and a recording studio in the remodeled "barn." There was a need for large format guitar graphics -- graphicguitars! I combined an old guitar and a 48"x36" panel with a coat of white paint. I then projected slides of his art work over the panel to create the beginning of "graphicguitars." The paintings were of various landscapes and still-life subject mater but were "stunning" over the guitars. The next phase is history as I began to paint guitar bodies and headstocks on panels with actual guitars embedded in the surface. The first paintings were of course "trial and error." Some repainting was necessary. Techniques were tried and some failed. The very first success was the "red strap." This painting is 48"x32" and features a Taylor type concert cutaway with a metallic red guitar strap flowing over the body and creating a smooth curve into the actual acoustic guitar. It was/is very commanding in any environment. The frame adds to the overall graphic design by using the same paint as the red strap.

Speaking of frames -- the frames have become as "innovative" as the paintings themselves. I have successfully incorporated the frames into dramatic paintings as well, enhancing the very character of the overall "graphicguitars" fine art painting. An effort is consciously made to draw the viewer into the painting by making the frame "musical" with the colors of the guitars.

One of the most captivating "graphicguitars" is the 48"x48" "stratglow." The large size and brilliant colors along with the effort to create realism is very successful. With the actual Fender clone embedded in the surface, the painting comes "alive" when seen in real life. Guitarists and art lovers often remark that they never noticed the "real" guitars that are incorporated into each painting -- until the paintings are seen in "real life!"

Another innovative painting is the "harlequin12" painted with harlequin paint it actually changes color as the viewer walks by. Each environment would create a totally original work of art -- from the same composition. I seek to create something new and fresh with each "graphicguitars" composition. Custom orders are welcome.

I have recently started a series of smaller format "graphicguitars" fine art two dimensional designs. Approximately 20"x30", these works of art will be various media and art techniques and, of course, innovative graphic designs of guitars.

Prints and /or posters of "graphicguitars" will be available sometime in the near future and articles about the paintings are already slated for various guitar magazines.

Also check the site: www.graphicguitars.com. In the gallery...