He's a painter who believes in art's cathartic power, its ability to communicate with viewers and its uncanny habit of revealing hidden facets of the painter himself.
"Pretty heady stuff for a rock and roller," he admits.
The artist is Paul Stanley - that's right, the guitarist from Kiss. For much of his life, the only thing he painted was a black star over his right eye, but in recent years he's been putting brush to canvas and selling his works for as much as $60,000 apiece. He's appearing and exhibiting his work Friday and Saturday at the Wentworth Gallery at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.
Stanley cites Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso as influences but is quick to point out that he's no art expert. During a recent phone interview from his Beverly Hills home, he depicted himself as driven by pure self-expression rather than by any desire to be hung in the Met.
"That's really what the arts are about," Stanley said. "It's about finding yourself and defining yourself."
Encouraged by a friend, Stanley took up painting around 2001 while struggling through a painful divorce. "I guess it was more constructive than throwing things at the wall, including myself," he said.
He hung his first work, titled "Green Planet," at home, too embarrassed to sign it. But visitors routinely inquired about it, so he kept working. To date, he has made portraits of his band mates (one, of bassist Gene Simmons, is titled "God of Thunder"), but also several abstract works with titles such as "Infinite Solitude" and "Starting Over."
The December 2007 issue of Classic Rock magazine features the story "Rock's Sonic Architect" in which a number of musicians pay tribute to LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page, the man who many believe shaped the very sound of rock music.
In the article, KISS guitarist/vocalist PAUL STANLEY had the following to say regarding Page's influential guitar-playing style:
"What was interesting about the guitar players in THE YARDBIRDS is how they all took their love of the blues and took it in different directions, particularly when you listen to Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, who seemed less purist and more adventurous. It's interesting to note that both THE JEFF BECK GROUP, which he formed after his stint in THE YARDBIRDS, and LED ZEPPELIN came about at virtually the same time. LED ZEPPELIN's first show as LED ZEPPELIN was October of 1968, and they were rehearsing before that. The Jeff Beck ['Truth'] album came out in August '68. So both, in a sense, were incubating at the same time.
He used to paint his face black and white before strutting onstage to play heavy metal riffs in front of thousands of screaming fans.
But these days, Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley is reinventing himself as a painter, putting acrylic on canvas in a private studio next to the pool behind his posh Beverly Hills home.
The 55-year-old front man for the legendary makeup-wearing rock band has produced about 30 pieces that are being sold in galleries across the country. He is finding a receptive audience.
Since exhibiting his work through the Wentworth Gallery chain in February, Stanley has sold roughly $2 million in original paintings and prints, with pieces going for as much as $75,000.
"The amount of sales has been staggering," the soft-spoken rock icon said recently at his house. "That, to me, is a symbol of people embracing the art. But if I look at it purely as dollars, then I move away from what got me into this in the first place."
When he started painting seven years ago, he did not intend to sell his artwork. At the time, painting provided an outlet through which he could vent the frustration of a painful divorce.
Paul performs a stellar duet with Sarah Brightman on the song "I Will Be with You" from her new album SYMPHONY. Brightman's style, a blend of classical vocals and pop-inspired instrumentation and arrangement, earned her over 150 Gold and Platinum awards in 34 countries. SYMPHONY will be released in the US on Jan 29, 2008.
Next week Paul will be featured in several press segments for his Long Island Wentworth Gallery Art Shows. Look for Paul in NEWSDAY and the Long Island Press. He'll also make radio and TV appearances before the shows. We'll post details as soon as the times are confirmed.
Paul's Long Island Wentworth Gallery Appearances:
Friday – January 4, 2008 6-9 PM
Saturday – January 5, 2008 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery Roosevelt Field Mall Garden City, NY 11530
RSVP: 516.742.6100 - Call for details on the special VIP Reception with Paul Stanley.
Wentworth Gallery, one of the nation’s leading fine art retailers, is proud to present two new art exhibitions by artist and rock icon Paul Stanley. The KISS front man will present his work at two special appearances at the Wentworth Galleries on January 4 and 5 in Garden City. Both appearances are open to the public and free of charge.
Paul Stanley’s Wentworth Gallery Appearances
Friday – January 4, 2008 6-9 PM
Saturday – January 5, 2008 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery Roosevelt Field Mall Garden City, NY 11530
RSVP: 516.742.6100 - Call for details on the special VIP Reception with Paul Stanley.
CLICK HERE for a link to ABC 7's interview with Paul yesterday.
When you get to the page, you'll need to click on image 2 of 2 and the interview with begin.
The text for the interview is below:
George Pennacchio
BEVERLY HILLS -- When he paints his face and hits the stage, Paul Stanley is recognized around the world as part of the rock group Kiss. But Paul also paints works of art on canvas. And the art world is embracing his talent.
"I call her 'Mona.' And I figure from my own personal experience, every icon could use some new fresh paint," said Paul Stanley.
So Stanley brought the Mona Lisa into the 21st century. He also pays his respects to the Statue of Liberty, and to both of his parents.
This is the other side of the rock 'n' roll star you're used to seeing. He paints a story of a broken heart in a work called "Scream."
Paul filmed an interview today with George Pennacchio of ABC 7 TV Los Angeles. The interview, which was filmed in Paul's house and studio, will be broadcast during the 11 o'clock news tonight and focuses on Paul's art.
Earlier today, Paul did an interview with Leeza Gibbons for her radio show "Hollywood Confidential". That interview is scheduled to run in January.
A link to Paul's entire interview with Southern California Radio below is available at www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/ or by CLICKING HERE - (Then click on "Listen to the entire program"). Paul's interview begins about 4 minutes into the show.
Click the link below to hear a snippet of Paul’s interview with Southern California Public Radio (89.3 KPPC), the entirety of which will air this Saturday, December 15 at noon Pacific. In the clip Paul speaks of the Led Zeppelin reunion and Saturday’s full interview is about his art.
(In the photo Paul is in front of a painting by Alexandra Nichita, one of his favorite artists. The photo was taken by John Rabe, who also did the interview with Paul.)
Check out this great photo of Paul from his art show last Saturday in Boca Raton. In the photo, Paul is holding his Junior High School year book that features his artwork on the inside cover! A fellow classmate stopped by to say hello and to show Paul the year book.
Even a broken shoulder couldn't stop former KISS manager Bill Aucoin from attending Paul's Art Show Saturday! As you can see in the photo, both Bill and Paul were wearing slings. Bill broke his shoulder in a fall on Friday, and Paul finally had surgery to repair a rotator cuff he tore years ago. He wore the sling for support and as a safety cushion from the large crowd.
Another great turnout last night for Paul's Art Show in Boca Raton. The Wentworth Gallery appearance drew over 500 fans! As you can see in the photos, Paul makes a point of spending quality time with collectors of all ages.
Here are a few photos from last night's Art Exhibit in Palm Beach Gardens. Paul's Wentworth Gallery shows continue to attract large crowds of art lovers, looking to experience his artwork in person!
Tonight, Paul with appear at the Wentworth Gallery at the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton.
