Interview with Stacey Wells
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Stacey Wells, inspired by music, stage lighting and cool rocker looks, has a love for painting Rock Stars. Greatly intrigued by the Sunset Strip and its history, Wells has become a familiar face on the Strip, recently creating a collection of art she calls Reflections of the Strip, reflecting back on some of the great musicians that have made it big starting on the Sunset Strip, also featuring new talented bands that are paving their way today, playing famous venues such at the Roxy, the Whiskey and the Viper Room. Wells’ hand painted Alice Cooper tribute, a 10 ft Gibson Guitar sculpture has been installed at the Andaz on Sunset Strip. Wells has captured the essence of the Strip, with art work that will truly make your space ROCK!
Hi Stacey, today MoW selected 4 of your artworks inspired by music. Can you tell MoW Why you chose those music artists ? What was the music behind the artworks ? What inspired you to create them ?
I chose those musicians to paint as they have inspired me in one way or another. I am often inspired not just by the music but also a certain visual that they portray, an image, a look. Sometimes it is the lyrics alone that inspire me to paint them.
Why is music important to you and your art?
Music has always been an inspiration in my life. As a child I bought a bright yellow transistor radio .I would put it under my pillow at night and fall asleep to music each night. It inspires me to think creatively, inspiring all aspects of my life, passion, love, sex, and creation of art. Every moment has a song.
If you had to choose between the artworks presented today, which of your artwork would be your favorite ? And why ?
I love them all , I can’t say that I have a favorite of these. For me , my favorite artwork is always the one I am working on now. I find the inspiration and the process so exciting! “Jaded” the painting of a young Steven Tyler having a Smoke, has a cool story, Steven Tyler ran across it at a gallery in Hawaii ,he loved it so much he took it home with him and it is now hanging in his bedroom. I think it is a very big compliment if the person you paint is really happy with it, as people tend to be so critical of themselves. It over joyed me to know that he loved it so much. I love painting his face, I have done several portraits of Steven ,one of which sold right off my easel before it was even finished. The art collector hung it in their kitchen, so COOL! I recently painted a 10 ft guitar sculpture for Gibson’s Guitar Town on Sunset Strip. I chose to paint Alice Cooper as to me, he is the epitome of the Strip ,cool rocker looks, guy liner ,wild hair, face makeup and beyond that a killer performer that works his butt off for his fans. I love painting him, so much inspiration .I will be attending a charity event with Alice Cooper in April I am so excited to meet him. I’m sure it will inspire more Alice Cooper art! The Blondie art is very popular and I love the attitude that it portrays. Of all of the artworks that you chose I can see myself living with “No Reflection” I love the clean lines and simplistic color scheme. I look would never tire of it.
Can you tell MoW more about the techniques you used. How old is your technique? How did it start? How long does it take you to make an artwork?
I am mostly self - taught when it comes to painting. I started with watercolor which is very hard to master. I moved to acrylics as I loved the idea of painting on large canvas. I wanted to keep the delicate qualities of watercolor and marry them to the vibrancy of acrylics. I began to layer transparent colors with the help of acrylic mediums. This technique has allowed me to achieve the look that I was after. I am always trying new techniques to expand the outcome of my art.
Do you have plans on creating new artworks insipired by music ?
I wouldn’t say planned, as when it comes to my inspiration it is never planned but I can say with confidence that music will inspire many more art works.
Do you listen to music when you’re working ? If so, what kind of music ?
I cannot paint without music on, I think it makes my brush strokes freer and it certainly spawns creativity. I listen to music almost every waking hour, in fact, I feel really uncomfortable if I go to someone’s house and there is no music playing , such a travesty! I love classic rock. I am often hooked on one song or album throughout a project , I play it over and over until I’m done that artwork.
What is the song you liked the most lately? The album ? What was the last gig you went to ?
Presently I love Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” this is surprising to me as I generally don’t listen to country. "Cruise" is such a happy song with a catchy tune and the lyrics make you feel summertime!
I love the Cars, a band that I used to listen to with my girlfriend growing up. She died of cancer a few years ago and I love turning on “Let The Good Times Roll” and reminiscing about the good old days and all of the fun that we had.
My favorite lyrical line is in the Cars “Just What I Needed” “ I don’t Mind you coming here band wasting all my time, as when you’re standing oh so near, I kinds lose my mind” such a great feeling. I recently listened to it with a friend ,so it is now stuck in my head again along with another great memory. I love creating artworks that bring you back to that moment in time when you heard that song or went to that concert.
I really love lyrics and a couple of band’s lyrics that stand out as often capturing my attention are Match Box Twenty and the lyrics from Alanis Morrisette’s "Jagged Little Pill" . I love finding new music and that is the great thing about Facebook , I have a couple of friends on there that have introduced me to new music that I love. I’m never great a remembering the name of the song but the music is stuck in my head.
The last gig that I went to was in Hollywood last month. I went to see my friend’s James Decker and Beck Carol in their band “ Welcome to Concrete”. Killer concert!
Find out more about Stacey Wells here :
www.facebook.com/staceywells.artist
