Joe Bonamassa, again and again!
Joe Bonamassa 03 – Watercolour painting by Miki
I have heard that Joe Bonamassa’s last album is number 1 of the charts in the UK, and I am over the moon! I though it is time to celebrate with a new portrait of him. In watercolour this time, and on strong structured watercolour paper from Arches.
I have seen Joe twice life, once last year in the Czech Republic with his Super Band Black Country Communion, and once this year in Murcia in Spain. It is simply an amazing experience, and this is what I wanted to convey in this new painting, the way how he seems to dominate the whole time-space around him when he plays! This is much deeper and universal than simply “taking the stage”!
As usual these painting is available directly online as Giclee print in many different dimensions, on paper or canvas, and also as greeting cards. Just click on the widget below to access my FAA Gallery
I also made available a version of this painting with less background, for those who want more of Joe for the same price! 
Jimi Hendrix 02
Jimi Hendrix 02 – Watercolour painting by Miki
After having made many musician paintings using a mixed technique involving a classical technique such as gouache, pastel chalk, acrylics, colour pencils, etc.. and some digital tools, I have suddenly felt the need to try to make some watercolour portraits of them. Sometimes I can’t see my computer any more, and don’t enjoy so much the digital art. Then it is time to go back to the classical brushes for a while and leave the computer totally out of the art! Perhaps the wrong decision from the business point of view as these artworks in mixed technique sell very well. People react strongly to the extremely vibrant colours and effects I can reach with my professional painting software. But well, business is one thing. An important thing clearly, but important too is that I enjoy what I do, and right now I enjoy watercolours and the organic effects of the paints on well structured paper!
And anyway for some obscure reason my computer had become very slow and take ages for each move. Nothing for such an impatient nature like mine, it simply drives me MAD! Surely wiser to let it rest for a while…
The painting above was inspired by a portrait of Jimi Hendrix I saw in a tattoo shop some weeks ago in Rethymno in Crete.
And here is the other portrait of Jimi I did some time ago, in the usual mixed technique.
Jimi Hendrix 01 – by Miki
This painting was inspired by a photo of Jimi Hendrix which I found in a wonderful book called “Guitar Heroes” which I bought in the USA in 2010. I have no idea if by putting this painting for sale as a print, I am infringing on any property rights. If it is so, I am really sorry and would ask the owner of the rights to contact me. I would then of course remove this painting from sale.
Both paintings are available directly online as Giclee print in many different dimensions, on paper or canvas, and also as greeting cards. Just click on the widget below to access my FAA Gallery
Tinariwen
Tinariwen 01 – by Miki
My partner Kev Moore wrote about our encounter with Tinariwen in a text called “Tinariwen – The Magic of The Desert”
“… We ate out at a restaurant in the Medina to the sound of local Gwana musicians playing and dancing – quite spectacularly – in a confined space, and whilst it was interesting, and clearly proficient, it didn’t move me beyond the pleasure of seeing traditional music performed in a traditional setting. But one afternoon, walking through the narrow streets, we passed a music stall, and the most amazing groove assaulted our ears. It literally stopped us in our tracks. That was the moment we became fans of Tinariwen.
I asked the guy at the stall who it was, and he produced the album Aman Iman, their third, and it became the constant soundtrack to the rest of our trip. Its fabulous grooves, hypnotic singing and clever weaving of electric guitars in, around and between the traditional instruments.
With further research, I discovered these guys have been around for some years, originating in Mali, and with a fascinating background as Tuareg freedom fighters. These were truly proper rock’n’roll rebels! Their leader, Ibrahim, has the potential to be a modern day Bob Marley, but that really does him and his compatriots a disservice. They have become a rallying point for the salvation of an entire culture, and I think it is that single achievement that sits them head and shoulders above most ‘social conscience’ bands. It seems that a number of famous musicians now carry a torch for them, Robert Plant and Carlos Santana amongst them, and it’s plain to see why. I’ve never really been a huge fan of World music, but there’s something about Tinariwen that speaks to your soul. Needless to say, I now have all four albums. Check them out, they are truly unique…”
If you want to read the whole post, see photos and last but not least, check Kev Moore and his music, just click here.
And for more info about Tinariwen, you can go to their website
I am personally constantly checking it in search of a possibility to see them life! They tour a lot, but so far we could not find a date and location which suits us. I hope they will add one soon, I really can’t wait!
is artwork is available directly online as prints on paper or canvas and in many different sizes. Also as greeting cards. Just click on the widget below if you are interested
Rory Mcilroy: Total Eclipse!
Total Eclipse, Rory Mcilroy - by Miki
On the evening of the second day of the US Open, I made this painting of Rory Mcilroy. I had followed him with delight , to see how he had taken, kept and even consolidating the lead.I had discovered Rory some years ago, and was immediately captivated by the purity, strength and speed of his swing. As an artist I am addicted to beauty, in my case especially in the beauty of movement,and Rory’s swing is a BEAUTY, probably the best i have ever seen. And as a passionate golfer myself, of course, how could I not love it!!!
Well he did it, he learned from the recent Augusta experience and succeeded in winning. And not only to win, he broke many records, 12 if I remember well, What a tournament! The best moment being as he hugged his Dad on that Father’s day, and later, dedicated him the Cup.
In 2009 I made a portrait painting of Rory, published it here in this blog with the text
“This was the last time I saw him, in the Portugal Masters 2009. Unfortunately he was not playing that well, and I rarely saw a smile on his face. But I am sure that one day soon, I will be able to make a smiling portrait of him”
Rory Mcilroy in 2009 - by Miki
Well, he was certainly smiling yesterday, and if I have time, I will do a portrait of him smiling. What strikes me is the difference between Rory 2 years ago and now: he is now thinner, more athletic, more mature. This is good. I just hope he won;t lose his freshness, land somehow, never change. i do love his attitude on the golf course.
And if you are a fan of him and want to purchase a print (available in different sizes, on paper or canvas) or as greeting card, just click on the widget below
Robert Plant 02
Robert Plant 02 - by Miki
Robert Plant, from Led Zeppelin, singing that divine song
“Stairway to Heaven”
… to die for!
If you want to purchase a print (on paper or canvas, and in different sizes) or a Greeting card, please click on the widget below
My Imaginary Friend Michael J. Anderson
Last year my partner Kev Moore and me were recommended by our friend Tony Stevens, a Magician/Comedian from the UK, to watch the American TV Show “Carnivale”. Trusting Tony’s good taste we did not hesitate for one second and ordered the complete DVD set.
Well, this was a revelation. The show of course was great, but more than anything I was instantaneously seduced by Michael J. Anderson portrayal of Samson.I cannot say exactly what it was, but I felt a deep personal story behind the actor, a great intelligence and sensitivity too. I started fantasizing about him somehow, eventually calling him “My imaginary Friend”. You know, like some children do. Him being a great subject, he also inspired me artistically very much, so I thought that the only way I could make my imaginary friend a little more real was to make a portrait of him. Well, so I did, twice even. I presented the first portrait of him in an older post, in brown and white pastel technique, holding a big mug, and smiling.
Here is the second one. In colours, but a little bit more serious. . And yet, the smile does not seem that far away again… dreaming about Space perhaps?
Michael J Anderson as Samson in Carnivale - by Miki
I can’t describe how sad I was as the show was finished. It was for me as if a friend had died. luckily I had his portraits, but still…
Now comes the clue. A wonder has happened. my imaginary friend is back to me. And more than that: in a much less imaginary way
Not as Samson, but…
as Michael J. Anderson himself!
In Red Bubble, one of the sites where I sell prints of these portraits, I found a personal mail the other day, with somebody telling me
“Your portraits of me are quite excellent!”
I first did not understand at all who he was, and what it was about, didn’t even understand which portraits this person was speaking about. I must say that I get many mails from strangers, and they are not always genuine. So my basic attitude is, at the beginning, to tread very carefully.
But gradually I found out that he was… Michael J Anderson himself!
I am sure you can imagine my joy!
Of course I sent him a mail back, in which I must really have come across like an hysteric fan. The funny thing being that I generally don’t especially care about celebrities, they are for me like everybody else, no better, no worse. But Michael was not a celebrity for me, he was my imaginary friend. And to see him suddenly ‘coming to life’ and contacting me, was simply heaven!
Now I really want to thank him for his kindness, and his messages. I also deeply appreciate the fact that he did not moan about me selling prints of these portraits of him. As far as I know, he is entitled to forbid it. Instead of that, he put a link to my painting in his Facebook page, inviting his followers to buy a print.
Now, this is a very generous act!
Well, if he is making advertising for me, I think I can do it myself too. This painting, and the other one of him, are available as Giclee prints in my FAA gallery, in many different sizes, as a Greeting Card, Matted Print, Laminated Print, Mounted Print, Canvas Print, or Framed Print
The Retirn of The Tiger – Stalking
Tiger woods, at the very first day of The Augusta Masters 2010…
Oh, just noticed that he had one finger too much!
Anyway, it was great to see him back that day, and above all to see him smiling and enjoying himself so much. I guess he appreciated the way the crowd welcomed him back. Unfortunately he smiled less the following days, and I saw the sadness back on his face… well, I say “sadness”, but I don’t know what it is. Fact is that he always looks like as if he needs comfort..
I personally believe he should enjoy life and himself more… whatever that means !
Michael Jackson 13 and Halloween
Some weeks ago, in a kind of trance state, I painted a series of Michael Jackson portraits, until I was totally saturated… and depressed that this extraordinary musician is no more physically among us. When I paint portraits, I really have to go into the person,to look at him from the inside. And after my 12 portraits of Michael, I kind of felt as if I was Michael Jackson himself… totally alive, yet dead! A weird dichotomy, and I had to stop, so as not to end up in the asylum! I thought I could never paint him again.
But well, I have a very versatile character, and I am not scared at all of self contradictions… so here it is, my 13th portrait…
By the way, I have been working for an e card company for some months now, and I have just created a Halloween card with this new painting. I hope the people who loved Michael won’t be offended by this black humour… the best medicine against sadness is and has always been laughter
“Il faut vite en rire avant d’en pleurer!”
said some French wise guy ;;
alors, Mesdames et Messieurs, pour Halloween, faisons-nous peur et rions!
Golf Champions: Ross McGowan
Ross Mc Gowan, Winner of The Golf Madrid Masters 2009
Following the Golf European Tour, week after week, I have decided to start a series of portraits featuring some of the leading figures of European Golf. For the moment I will concentrate on present champions, but I am sure than past champions will also inspire me, at least the ones I often saw live on tour, like Sam Torrance, Colin Montgomery, Steve Ballesteros, etc… I know, they are not really past, but I suppose that they are no more on top of their form… I might also one day start to feature some famous American golfers, but this much more delicate: me being a fanatic of the Ryder Cup, hey are of course THE enemy, and I generally tend more to paint my friends than my enemies…!
So, my first portrait is Ross MacGowan, who won yesterday the Madrid Masters 2009 in Spain. I wished I could have been there personally, but I had some urgent work to do… another time surely! I appreciated very much his attitude on the golf course, the guy never lost his temper although he had a tough gig. He kept smiling, even when at the very end, by the 18th hole green, he ran the danger to chip his ball back into the water and lose his possibility to win. Instead of swearing and hitting his club against the ground after the lethal shot which brought him in that position, he walked to his ball, relaxed and gently smiling.
Bravo Ross, and good luck for the rest of your career!!!
Michael Jackson 09
I so much wished he were still here….
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Contact me at miki@goodaboom.com
