Artwork celebrating music legends
‘Dead Rock Stars: A series of linocut portraits’ is a body of work which continues to grow. My linocut portraits capture those legends of rock and roll music culture, that left their mark and left us too soon.
Expect to see Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Buddy Holly. Plus more. We will look in more detail at each work below.
These Gods of the rock music landscape have inspired us all at one time or another with their timeless musical genius.
I plan to add more dead rock stars to this series over time. If you have any suggestions of who you would like to see me include in my artwork, leave a comment further down.
These artworks are all celebrating music legends who died young and inspired generation upon generation. There are definitely a few names that spring to mind, which have not been depicted yet. Including Jim Morrison, Shannon Hoon and Michael Hutchence. I plan to do these music heroes in time! But, I’m interested in who you would like to see me include in my dead rock star series, so drop a comment below.
How my dead rock star linocuts are made
First off, I draw a very accurate and solid portrait using pencil direct onto the linoleum. This is a key stage: to execute a good drawing. As this is the foundation and guide to achieve a finished piece, that does justice to the subject. It’s important to bare in mind, the print will come out in reverse at the end!
Next, is the crucial stage of carving the linocut. I use only 3 small tools of varying sizes for all of my linocuts. This stage, perhaps, requires the most concentration. If I do make a slight mistake, then usually I can work around it. Mistakes can often be worked into the image, as it takes shape.
Lastly, is the really exciting part for me, inking up the lino! This is usually the point when the work really comes to life. Often with a linocut, the carved image doesn’t become clear until it gets inked. Then all that’s left is to place the paper over the lino and take a print. I tend to rub the back of the paper with a wooden spoon. I find I get a crisp and bold artwork this way.
Jimi Hendrix
To begin my ‘Dead rock stars: A series of linocut portraits’ is an original, hand carved and hand burnished piece showing legendary rock guitarist and genius Jimi Hendrix. Seen here with his trademark bandana and a cigarette dangling from his lips, as he takes us into outer space with his music!
The work is a striking, black and white depiction of one of my heroes and would make a perfect gift for any Hendrix fan.
The work is printed on quality 315gsm Heritage Bookwhite printmaking paper.
To buy this limited edition linocut you can click here.
Prince
My next artistic offering shows the legendary musician Prince. Flamboyant and funky, he will live on in music eternity, with classics such as ‘Purple Rain‘ and ‘Raspberry Beret’.
The work is printed on traditional Vietnamese Dó printmaking paper. It’s quite a light paper, made by hand.
To buy this linocut please click here.
John Lennon
Thirdly is another original, limited edition, hand carved and hand burnished linocut. This piece depicts the late, great musician and songwriter John Lennon.
Lennon, who found fame with The Beatles and then went onto spread his message of peace in his strong solo career, before his tragic early death, is a global music icon. This artwork shows him in profile, looking on through his famed spectacles, imagining, daydreaming…
The work is printed on quality 315gsm Heritage Bookwhite printmaking paper.
You can purchase this original linocut here.
Buddy Holly
In continuation of my ‘Dead Rock Stars: A series of linocut portraits’ is my picture of 1950s rock n roll icon Buddy Holly.
Despite Holly having a career that only really lasted 18 months before his untimely death in a plane crash back in 1959, at the age of only 22, decades before I was even born; I have always loved his music.
My late Dad Jimmy always played his ‘Buddy Holly Lives’ cassette in the car when my family went on trips as a kid, so I was brought up on his wonderful music and it brings back fond memories. I remember as a kid, maybe around the age of 6, jumping up and down on the settee to ‘Rave on’ and ‘Oh Boy‘ imitating the great singer.
I hope this work appeals to fellow Buddy fans across the world! It is a bold, black and white depiction of a musical icon, that would look cool on anyone’s wall.
The work is printed on quality 315gsm Heritage Bookwhite printmaking paper.
This limited edition linocut is available here.
Lemmy
This is an original, hand carved and hand burnished linocut. It shows the charismatic Lemmy Kilmister, who fronted the heavy metal group Motorhead, until his passing.
Here he is looking as bad-ass as ever.
The work is printed on quality 315gsm Heritage Bookwhite printmaking paper.
The work is available here.
Kurt Cobain
Another original linocut in my ‘Dead Rock Stars’ series shows the late guitarist and frontman of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain.
Cobain headed up the grunge rock movement and affected an entire generation with his music. Then his tragic suicide at only 27 years old, ensured him a place in legend.
I hope this appeals to fans everywhere!
The work is printed on quality 315gsm Heritage Bookwhite printmaking paper.
This original print is available here.
Phil Lynott
Moving on is another original, hand carved and hand burnished linocut. It shows the late, great Irish rock star and former frontman of Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott. It’s a continuation of my dead rock star series.
The work is printed on traditional Vietnamese Dó printmaking paper, which is handmade and has a nice quality to it.
To purchase this piece please visit here.
Freddie Mercury
Finally, another heavyweight of rock music history. This time the legendary frontman of Queen.
The charismatic Mercury was one of the greatest musical showmen of all time.
The work is printed on traditional Vietnamese Dó printmaking paper, which is handmade and has a nice quality to it.
My Freddie Mercury print can be purchased here.
Music icons that will live forever
All of these artworks celebrate music icons that will live forever. These portraits capture legends of rock in their prime.
We will never forget their music and their talent. I hope I have done your particular musical hero justice, with my limited edition print.
As mentioned earlier there are more linocut portraits to add to this series and it’s much appreciated if you have suggestions in the comments below!
