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Vol. 13, No. 6: Dec.-Jan. 2008
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Innovative Fine Art Guitar Paintings
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by Paul Chase
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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...
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Additional Columns by Paul Chase
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