Rock legends Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty painted by Bay Area expressionist artist Isa Amalee.
On November 28, 2017, I was live painting at an Art Span art reception, when my friend commissioned two paintings. He wanted two paintings of the rock legions Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty singing “Stop Dragging My Heart Around“. He sent me a link to the youtube video and needed them by the 23th and 28th of December.
I suppose at this point, I should admit to the fact that this was a challenge that I was happy to accept. A challenge because he want two of the same paintings, a smaller size then I am use to, and with a deadline. My biggest lesson in life is that pushing myself out of my comfort zone is rewarding. Rewarding not only because I actually made money for painting but in the fact that I learned I can do it.
So I usually start with a collage I make from photos I get off of the internet. This is the first idea:
However I started out timidly and wanting to please my friend. The teeth were way to visible and stiff to use this photo of Tom. So I went back to the video and got more stills from it. Still painting timidly and out of a desire to please I was unsatisfied but because I had to paint two of them I started the next one.
I had four days until he picked up the first one and I said “fuck it” I cannot see these out in the world. So while I liked Tom, now Stevie’s mouth was bugging me and the whole painting was lacking. I have never know what makes a painting done until I know it is done. I went back to the video and found more images of Stevie.
These are the final paintings of the rock legends Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks singing “Stop Dragging My heart Around”. Thank you Adam for the challenge. It was fun!
