Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Three

The ice is broken.  I am now applying paint to guitar.

Starting with the gradation of the blue sky.

Long way to go!

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase Two

Okay, some more of the drawing phase.  Fine tuning the loose sketch......

The flames would be more fun if I could render them freestyle, but I'm trying to stay close to the original so it's a bit painstaking.

The locations of the holes for the volume and tone controls, and the locations of the pickups seem to be a bit different on this guitar than the original.  I think I better ask Bruce for the hardware to trace it properly.  I need to know more precisely where the painting will be covered up.

My client, Bruce Diamond, supplied me with a great book for reference.  Classic Guitars of the 60s edited by Tony Bacon has a picture of The Fool guitar on the front cover and a nice larger photo on the inside.  Many other really unique guitars are in this book.  Fun to read.

"Classic Guitars of the 60s" edited by Tony Bacon

The angel is holding a triangle. 

 

 Bruce doesn't like how the psychedelic rainbow doesn't end at the point of the guitar so I'm extending it to the point. The rainbow on the original follows a weird, irregular pattern that kind of bugs me so I'm making the rainbow flow more symmetrically.  Artistic license.

 Okay, this time I promise I will start painting.  All the mapping out of the drawing is done.  (Except for the pickguard which I will paint last.  I still need to fine tune the drawing of the landscape.) 

Painting Eric Clapton's Fool Guitar - Phase One

Photo of original guitar by John Peden. Source www.vintageguitar.com

 
 

 Join me as I embark upon my artistic journey to paint a copy of Eric Clapton's "The Fool" Gibson SG, made famous in 1967.  My multi-talented musician friend Bruce Diamond of Diamond Strings has commissioned me to create a replica of this historic art guitar.  Pictured below is the front and back of the original piece.  I have been entrusted to paint a  copy of the front only.
 

Photo of original guitar by John Peden. Source www.vintageguitar.com

When Bruce approached me to do this project I was delighted to get a lesson in art history and music history as I was not aware of this guitar.  This famous decorated instrument accompanied Eric Clapton and his band Cream on their first American tour.  The two artists responsible for painting it soon after became part of a popular art group called "The Fool" (hence the naming of the guitar).   

The Fool collective created an abundance of pop culture art during the 60's including clothing, posters, paintings, and murals.  They worked for many British bands, among them The Beatles.  For further reading, here is an interesting article:  http://www.vintageguitar.com/12684/claptons-fool/

Drawing the psychedelic angel

Bruce supplied me with his sacrificial Gibson SG, primed, sanded, and ready to go.  The first step in my journey is to roughly sketch the design onto the body of the guitar.

I'm happy.

On to the pickguard.

Pickguard landscape.

Finally, the headstock.

That's all for now, folks.  I will return with more news when I start to do the actual painting.

Mini Hex Signs

An assortment of miniature wooden hex signs painted with a crackle finish by Beth Brown.

Garden Sign

Hand painted with acrylic on wood by Beth Brown.

Hex Signs & Barn Stars Exhibit

Rochester artist Beth Brown is obsessed with stars.  Not the celebrity variety of Hollywood fame, but the kind that adorn the barns of Pennsylvania’s farm country.  Hex signs to be exact.  These colorful geometric designs enclosed within a circle have been painted on barns in the rural counties of PA for nearly 200 years. 

Brown’s fascination with this subject has resulted in her series of painted studies for an exhibit called “Hex Signs & Barn Stars” now featured at Starry Nites Café.  Loosely based on the traditional designs, she has created a variety of stars with acrylic paints on mostly round shaped canvases and wood.  5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 pointed stars are depicted, many painted with a crackle finish to make them appear worn with time. 

Stary Nites Cafe display

German in origin, this type of traditional folk art was sprung from fraktur drawings, stemming from the rich history of Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch) culture.  Hex signs were used by farmers to decorate their barns and, some say, to ward off evil spirits or bring good luck or fortune to the farm dwellers.

Brown’s recent fixation on the historical signs started about six months ago.  “I’ve been carrying around a library book on Hex signs like it’s my bible,” she says.  “As an artist, once I get motivated creatively by a new art form, I try to absorb and learn the subject as much as I can, visually and intellectually, until I get it out of my system and move on to a new inspiration.”  Regarding her attraction to the subject, she explains, “I’m not really sure why I’m so drawn to them.  To me, the stars on the barns express the historical and cultural heritage of the community and a sense of pride in their livelihood.  The signs act as beacons speaking to passersby throughout the Pennsylvania countryside.  But mostly they evoke a sense of mystery and wonder that captures my attention.”   When asked about the association of magic in the signs, Brown says, “I find the folklore relating to the stars fascinating, but I don’t pretend to be an expert on the purposes of their symbolic meanings.  I’m mostly focused on their decorative aspects.” 

Brown painting a hex sign

Although the paintings for sale at the exhibit are strictly for interior use, Brown can also custom make the signs to hang outdoors on homes, garages, or barns.

Brown studied drawing and painting at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  She is a fine and decorative artist, portrait and mural painter, and art gallery owner.  She represents local artists in her exhibit space The Shoe Factory Art Co-op located in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts.  Her business Moonblossom Signworks features her hand painted signs for home or business, and vintage style faux antique signs.  She teaches drawing and painting for teens and adults in her workshop, Beth Brown Art & Design Studio.

The show, hosted by the Shoe Factory Art Co-op, is on display at Starry Nites Café from May 13th through August 3rd.  Admission is free.  Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Café patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.  Open daily and nightly.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours or visit www.starrynitescafe.com .

Beth Brown’s websites:  www.moonblossomsignworks.com, www.bethbrownartist.com

To view more artwork by local artists, visit the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607.  Phone: 585-732-0036 Email: studio212@shoefactoryarts.com Website: www.shoefactoryarts.com .

Art Classes

I'm now teaching art classes at my gallery, The Shoe Factory Art Co-op!  Sign up for "Drawing and Painting" classes for teens and adults, beginner to intermediate!

My gallery also offers "Open Painting Studio" sessions for experienced self starters.  No instructor, paint on your own!

For more information and to register, follow this link!  ART CLASSES