Paul Stanley has been branching out from merely making music in recent years. The guitarist and vocalist for iconic hard rock band KISS (he's the one with the star surrounding his right eye) has taken up painting, and he's accomplished enough to have landed an exhibit in South Florida.
Stanley, 55, appears from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Wentworth Gallery, The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-624-0656 or 800-732-6140. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Stanley will appear at the Town Center Mall, 6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 561-338-0804 or 800-732-6140. Call for details on VIP receptions.
When did you start seriously getting into your art?
I never really applied myself -- although I was gifted, according to many people -- until about eight years ago. I was going through a rough time and a friend of mine told me, 'You need to paint.' It was a revelation for me, and I went out and bought brushes, paint, etc., without a clue as to what I was doing. I decided to approach it as an emotional release -- I wasn't interested in making a landscape look like a landscape. It was using color and texture to convey a feeling. The idea was to go on a journey where you don't know where you're going, but you know when you've arrived.
When I hung the first one I was pleased with in my house, invariably everyone would be drawn to it and asked me who painted it. I was too shy to sign it at that time.
All things considered, when I get to go into a gallery that's covered in my paintings, it's an amazing sense of empowerment and fills me with gratitude. It's staggering -- and I don't use that word lightly -- and humbling.
You starred in the Phantom of the Opera in Toronto. Any more acting gigs on the horizon?
I'd love to do Phantom on Broadway. I went to New York and auditioned for them, [but] as economics would have it, they didn't feel it was necessary to pay me what I was receiving.
Whose idea was KISS' stage makeup and the outfits?
It came from four people, and the synergy and the bouncing ideas off each other. It was not the result of one person's vision.
Are you guys touring again any time soon?
We've just announced shows in Australia and New Zealand -- we're playing the Melbourne Grand Prix. We did about five shows this summer in the States, just to grease the gears. It's an enormous operation to get this moving.
Do you visit Miami often?
I get to Miami either when the band is touring or on a few social visits. Over the past 35 years, I've been there about, well, 35 times.
Any favorite hangouts here? Clubs, bars, restaurants?
For me any gallery trip has to include the best restaurant and the best bottle of wine. I remember The Forge -- everybody knows The Forge.
What do you love most about Miami?
As a young boy I used to come to Miami often and there was a time where -- at least to people not living in Miami -- it was called 'God's waiting room.' I used to visit my grandfather in the summer and we'd find out who had the free luaus at the hotels and we'd go eat.
The great thing about warm weather is it brings out beautiful women. There's a lot that can be covered up with layers of clothing -- when you don't have that luxury, everybody wins.
What do you not love?
The humidity -- it hits you as soon as the door of the airplane opens. It's just oppressive.
An interview with Paul will air tomorrow - Friday, November 30th between 7 a.m . and 10 a.m EST. on the Paul & Young Ron Show on Big 105.9 FM (Miami's Classic Rock Station) and Gater 98.7 FM (The Classic Rock Station for West Palm Beach).
For the better part of three decades, the canvas Paul Stanley was best known for painting was his own face. As a front man for the legendary rock band KISS, Paul has been electrifying audiences in his signature spandex and platform boots since the band's debut in the mid-1970s. These days, however, he has discovered another artistic passion, one that requires much more personal insight and much less personal makeup. His growing collection of original paintings, which began as a cathartic journey, has ended up resonating with art lovers, collectors and critics alike and earned him a whole new audience of devoted fans.
PBI: What led you down this latest road of artistic expression?
STANLEY: Divorce will jolt you in ways you may not expect. My best friend told me that I needed to paint. He seemed to feel I needed a release-and he was right. I went out and bought canvases and brushes and basically started on an emotional journey, a way to discover in myself things that were going on and put them on canvas. Kind of like stream-of-consciousness, but instead of words, using color and texture.
How would you describe your art?
It's about delving into myself. When I start a painting it's like a trip in which I don't know where I'm going, but I know when I've gotten there. It's really about finding an emotional connection and once I feel that's complete, I tend to believe that it will connect and resonate with someone else. So far I'm pretty right.
What's the difference between creating music and creating works of art?
Music has many more boundaries and frameworks that you have to work within. You have the structure of the music, the melody on top of that, and then the lyrics have to rhyme. Everything has to fit within parameters. Whereas with art, there are no rules. You don’t have the same limitations because if it can be done with color and texture, the possibilities are endless.
Paul will appear on South Florida's WIOD News Radio, this Wednesday November 28 at 7:40AM EST . He will be on the station discussing his upcoming Florida Art shows.
Although the historical significance of Thanksgiving is of little relevance to most people today, take a moment to think of all you can be thankful for. We can all stop and count our blessings, let those we love know our feelings and make a commitment to help those less fortunate.
Wentworth Gallery, whose more than 30 retail galleries spanning the US in 12 different states, also offer 'home show' service where they'll bring up to twenty pieces of their art to your home. Throughout this year nationwide, Wentworth Galleries has hosted 14 exhibitions of KISS front-man Paul Stanley's work.
Mindy Tiberi, Wentworth Gallery Director in Schaumburg, Illinois, comments on Paul's Art & appearances:
"Paul Stanley has a very strong fan base so his fans may start out wanting a piece of his art but they quickly realize that his art offers them a whole other dimension of his creativity and they start collecting. We also have many non-KISS fans who have no idea who Paul Stanley is and they see the work hanging at Wentworth Gallery and love it and buy it," said Tiberi when asked about Paul Stanley's show at Wentworth Gallery. She went on to say: "Paul is very devoted to all his fans. He came in right on time and stayed until he met with everyone who acquired one of his paintings or prints. I don't think he even took a break. He signed personal dedications for the art that was selected and posed for photos and everyone had a blast."
Here are some pictures from the Paul Stanley Washburn product launch - Saturday Nov. 3 at the Zellers store in Georgetown, Ontario. Canadian based KISS tribute Fried Alive had a great time greeting all the KISS fans who came out for the promotion. The store's stock of Paul guitars sold out before the band even arrived for the promotion! The KISS army is as strong as ever!
Thanks to Joe Kiss for sending in this report & photos!
Washburn Guitars today announced the the addition of the very cool looking Preacher Guitar to the Paul Stanley Signature Series. The shape is like a Les Paul with a bit of KISS attitude thrown in! The Paul Stanley Preacher comes in four models and the PS9200WH pictured left is the top of the line deluxe guitar Paul has been playing on tour which is crafted in the Washburn custom shop along with the PS9000 and comes with Art deco headstock inlays, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups and is available in black and white.
"What I wanted to do in designing the Preacher was to create a new guitar with an old soul," said Paul Stanley of Kiss. "In essence, a historical classic that could have, but never actually existed. The design incorporates all the features, tone and spirit of an old iconic guitar but with better neck access and a unique take on a familiar shape. I was determined to retain all the characteristics that made a legendary guitar the gold standard for the last 50 years and yet create something new, unique and improved. I like to call it 'history with an attitude.'"
We're excited to announce that LIVE TO DREAM!, an insider's glimpse into the creative process of Paul Stanley and his new concert film LIVE TO WIN Live, will be premiered at the Chicago KISS Fan Fest on Saturday, November 24! LIVE TO DREAM! director D.P. Carlson and LIVE TO WIN Live director Louis Antonelli - will attend the Fest for a Q&A with the fans.
Additionally, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick will perform many of his classic KISS solos live at the Fest! Bruce will also be available for autographs and photos throughout the day.
There will be KISS Karaoke, trivia contests and a grand prize raffle! KISS merchandise and collectibles will be on sale and KISSONLINE will be attending the expo too!
The 2007 CHICAGO KISS FAN FEST:
Saturday November 24th from
1:00PM to 7:00PM (NOON for VIP holders)
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
150 S. Gary Ave
Carol Stream, IL 60188
For special rates on Hotel rooms - call 630-665-3000 by November 15 and ask for the Expo Rate.
Last Saturday - Zellers celebrated the launch of the Paul Stanley Washburn Guitar and accessories line at many of their stores across Canada! Here are some pictures from the Zellers location on Davenport Road in Toronto. This store covered the entry doors in KISS posters, had all employees dressed up as KISS members and held a live performance from Paul Stanley tribute “Dr Love”!
The much anticipated Paul Stanley Autographed electric guitars and accessories are now available at Zellers and Home Outfitters stores across Canada! All items were designed by Paul himself.
PICTURED:
Limited Edition Washburn black electric guitar, hand-signed by Paul. This guitar features a solid hardwood body with a maple neck, die cast turners and chrome hardware. Comes in an exclusive box with a certificate of authenticity and guitar strap.
The Starchild signature embossed leather case holds 144 picks. Includes 6 double sided sheets, each capable of holding 24 picks.
Starchild pick pack featuring 12 medium guitar picks, each with a different Paul image or signature design.
Starchild battery and AC powered distortion pedal equipped with bypass stomp switch.
Paul Stanley black coated, light gauge guitar strings. Feature extra high e-strings with black bottoms and silver tops.
