Mojo Workin' III
#3 and the last of this series within a series which was taken from a YouTube Video of Muddy Waters,Sonny Boy and the legendary bass player, writer, producer WiIlie Dixon doing the creamiest version of Got My Mojo Workin' ever.
This is Sonny Boy Williamson, my second favourite Bluesman after John Lee Hooker. A harmonica virtuoso and a voice that is traditional Delta Blues.
I first painted him in 2001;
That series of Bluesmen and women proved very popular and sold almost as fast as I painted them.
These paintings are specifically for a Blues festival here in Perth in January.
Ok who's next???
Has to be JLH, bless his purrdy socks.
posted by David Burge at
8:32 AM
11 Comments:
Hi David,
....can sure tell you're a muso from this series!! It's as if there's a kind of 'giant jam' happening here, and you're working not only with the interactive sound stream but with watercolour motifs and rhythms too! The light and shade is masterful IMO, the tones pitched to perfection. The cool-dominant 'colour key', for me, really works and is another great way you have got into sync with 'the Blues'. Keep these music-inspired comps going! Your'e on the right track (or is that 'groove'??) It's almost like you can 'read' when an artist has enjoyed painting their subject, been inspired -- and I get that vibe here.
cheers
~Wayne
Thanks again Wayne, I have to keep them going at least for another month anyway.
I've uploaded another jpg that's closer to the original, still some areas that have lost saturation but much closer overall. The first upload was very pale.
I've been playing a lot of blues both on the ipod and guitar during this series trying to get into the zone. I feel it helps. If that is what you perceive then I'm achieving something I'm looking for.
Can hear the music clear over here! Striking.
Thanks Sandy, your golf comp is fantastic.
I like the aggressive attitude and the flat greys- looks like slate. And the power of pink! I checked out a bunch of Mojo takes on youtube which reminded me of a version I did with a good singer - will send it along if I can dig it up. I wouldn't mind seeing John Mayall in there, but that pasty english skin doesn't offer the painter much, does it? JLH, of course. How about Son House? - was really into him a couple yrs ago. Recently I was discussing what the greatest blues guitar solo is....taking into account the different approaches, and electric vs. acoustic, etc. Just might have to go with Jimi's Red House, a performance that still absolutely floors me. My other fave blues solos would have to be Milt Jackson on a live Festival Blues, some choice solos from the Count, and the incomparable studio recording of Blue Train with JC at his peak. This is a big subject...keep painting it, it's better than trying to talk about it.
I was listening to Eric Clapton speaking on Robert Johnson. He had been trying to learn a RJ song for a demo session, said he'd worked at it solidly for a week just to get the basics covered. (on youtube somewhere)
RJ had the ability to play two distinctive rhythmic and melodic patterns at once.
A workout for two good guitarists and a lifetime of study to understand the rhythm.
Most acoustic blues guitarists I've heard or read revere Robert Johnson as the greatest blues acoustic artist.
As for the greatest solo, that's a good question with no doubt a volume of responses. For pure engagement with their instruments Hendrix and Coltrane are on top of the heap in my book.
Thanks for your response here Nick.
Hopefully I'll get to complete this series and be at the show in January.
As you know Alice Springs may get in the way, but I'm trying to swing both.
Really enjoying the Blues paintings, David. You have got that batiked look that works well with these - like an old print that's peeling here and there. You know your stuff, in music and in painting.
Again with the expressive edges.. which makes for a work that breathes, pulsates and is alive. Gray is my favorite color so I am naturally drawn to the cool color dominance. The subtle warms in the head, hand etc provides balance and a comfortable place for the eyes to rest.. for a moment. Packing a punch with this series David.. - oh yeah.. you are.
Superbe travail!
Hi there,
come here for the first time, i'm welle please about the english language that you speak , i'm french but lived in london most of my day,
so I love your work here, and i'll come back,to check more of your talent ,I'm friend of Manuella too!
maybe you visite my space too, i try words & paint..bye for now
Miss your posting. Hope you are fine. And painting.
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