ROLLING OUT THE THUNDER ... Gallery 2

The next prolific episode in the Dylan saga and in many ways as dynamic as anything previously attempted, was The Rolling Thunder Revue, this concept was vigorous and fresh, reflecting the mans desire to take his art to the audience in a free and fluid a manner as possible. On the back of two excellent albums, ’Blood on the Tracks’ and ’Desire’, Dylan rolled out the Thunder across the U.S and Canada in the late 70’s, using the skills of an ultimate band of troubadours, whose numbers included, Roger McGuinn, Joan Baez, Ronee Blakely, Mick Ronson, Joni Mitchell, T Bone Burnett ,David Blue,Scarlet Rivera and old friend Bob Neuwirth and a whole bunch of invited guests, the impact was astonishing, raw power and vibrant interpretation, night after night, a real circus. Even more astounding is that Dylan chose at the same time to create a fresh approach to film-making by utilising the cast and others in the movie ’Renaldo and Clara’.

            Durango

T he freedom of speech and performance, The Rolling Thunder Review, was a quiet masterpiece of interpretational art, taking the craft to the new audience, reworking and re-wording the set. This presentation is about capturing Bob’s quintessential calm and control during this influential period.

Cracked & Cobwebbed - Joan & Bob

Things change and nothing lasts forever. This painting is a respectful and hopefully poignant statement of the changing relationships between  Bob and the remarkable Joan Baez.

    The Fifth Day Of May

Inspirational! No longer the doyen of all that is hip. He’s painted his ’masterpiece’, what now? We heard the haunting violin of Scarlet Rivera and the soulful, emotional dimension that is so much personified in ’Blood On The Tracks’.
This painting was specially commissioned as book cover for ’ISIS- A Bob Dylan Anthology’ : Edited by - Derek Barker : Published by Helter Skelter

     Montreal Thunder

A time  from the cold winter scenes from the movie ’Renaldo & Clara’. During the RTR the performers and others would in the daytime be conscripted to play out  scenes of the movie. I have always been taken by the demeanour and presence of Dylan during this period - adapted from a well documented photo image -  this representation is an attempt to capture one of those moments.

   Rolling Thunder

The contrast is clear between the structured, super polished concertstars of the day -  the roving parade of performers who improvised constantly, swapped roles and played in total freeform, the raw spontaneity flowed like wine! The characters of ’Harlequin’,’Pierrot’,’Pantaloon’ and ’Columbine’ are strong influences on this period, parallel images here to a gypsy’s freedom of spirit.

                    Bob & Joni

Here duetting with Joni Mitchell - Bob also worked with with Sheryl Crow, Ani Defranco, Judy Collins, Lisa Leob, Patti Smith and many,many others.

    Renaldo & Sara

A particular favourite knife portrait and a play on names - Clara to Sara   -  not wholly sure why !

            Bob & Johnny Cash

I know the skyline is more Nashville than Thunder, but hopefully this portrayal catches a ’mutual admiration society’ bonding from way back when.

If you have your own favourite vision of Bob, just email me, we can work out a concept for your own Dylan original painting ... commission prices start at £500 (US $1000) + upwards depending on canvas size. More information upon enquiry

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