The first musician portrait I painted was in 1998, and my subject was Linda Hornbuckle. For the painting (which appeared on her CD “Clearly”) I photographed her at Music Millenium, and later in her living room as she sang. Sadly, Linda passed away last week, after a two year battle with cancer. I will always remember this beautiful woman and her beautiful voice. The community will always remember her as the great soul diva of the Northwest. Tonight, I am donating a large print of the painting at “More Love for Linda”, an all-star benefit to help with her medical costs.
To attend, or donate, visit http://www.crystalballroompdx.com/events/130472-More-Love-for-Linda—A-Community-Benefit-for-Linda-Hornbuckle-featuring. A video tribute featuring Linda singing Amazing Grace, accompanied by the late Janice Scroggins… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwZoQkdNea0
I did several 30 minute portrait studies during my weekend at the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival… this is one I did for Lamar Savage, commissioned by his wife for his birthday. I think he liked it!
Norman Leyden was a nationally known conductor, composer, clarinetist, and educator. He was best known as the conductor of the Oregon Symphony Pops orchestra, however he also worked with Glenn Miller during his years in the US Air Force. More recently, Mr. Leyden performed at the Hollywood Bowl with Pink Martini. I photographed Norman during his induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2008, and used one of the photos for my pencil drawing of him. It was recently on display at the “Tribute to Norman Leyden” concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall in Portland. I was very fortunate to have met Norman just weeks before, and he seemed so pleased with the copy of the pencil drawing that I gave him. Norman Leyden passed away July 23, 2014.
Earlier this year, I was commissioned to create the poster for the October 2013 Legendary Blues Cruise, and I have
It is an incredible honor to have my pencil drawing of Pinetop’s hands featured on his new headstone at his gravesite in McLaurin Cemetery, near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Born on July 7, 1913, Pinetop Perkins played with Muddy Waters for twelve years, and was one of the last great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen still performing when he passed away on March 21, 2011 at the age of 97. Many attribute his long life to his love of McDonalds, cigarettes, his music, and, of course, the ladies. He received three Grammy awards, the latest just a month before he died. My original pencil art of Pinetop’s Hands at the Piano was created using my photo of him just a year earlier as reference. The image also appears on special edition T-Shirts, with proceeds going to the Pinetop Perkins Foundation. 
