The Gina Sigman Gallery

Whenever I need a good dose of class, elegance and noir entertainment, I always turn to a good Joan Crawford movie. My favorite: Queen Bee, in which she plays a vicious, narcissistic, controling bitch.  I love the color pink and apparently so did Joanie.  Since most of her hey day movies were in black and white, I had a hard time finding a prototype photo of her to work from. Here she is in colorful Hollywood glamour, the laye great Joan Crawford.

Ah, beautiful James Dean: a dichotomic mixture of bad boy and tender innocence.  After a recent trek back home from Fresno, driving down the 46, we stopped at his ill-fated crash site. As I stood  in front of the monument, late afternoon sun in my eyes and a dry, warming wind blowing through my hair, I could hear Jamesy whisper to me, "draw me, Gina. Draw me." And so, I did. (James Dean monument photo courtesy of Barry Sigman Photography)

Ladies and gentlemen: front man screamer of The Who, Mr. Roger Daltrey. As the wife of a hairy-chested a rock musician, the prospect of painting Roger's bare chest as depicted here, seemed a bit...boring.  However, once I began this project, I found Mr. Daltrey's chiseled features a refreshing challenge. I won't get fooled again!

The cover of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti . Someday...I said to myself, I want to physically stand in front of 98 St.Marks Place in New York City. Now, I doubt that will ever happen. With New York City war-torn by the ravages of covid restrictions and a defunded police department, the odds of going there get slimmer and slimmer. I can visit in my painting though. Think about it. Painting is a portal to a world I might not ever see; a virtual face to face meet n greet with the most talented, famous people in the world. I am blessed to have this gift.

Who else? Elton John! 2 years qgo, I was seated in the audience at a concert series my husband is one of the official photographers for. It's called Tales from the Tavern. All the locals come out to listen to and enjoy a private evening of live music. It's a tiny venue that only seats about 100 and because the Santa Ynez Valley is dotted with legendary music people, you never know who will show up.  That evening, seated in front of me, was celebrated songwriter, Mr. Bernie Taupin. I could have drawn Bernie but chose this colorfully feathered version of Elton instead.  As Bernie says, "you had a busy day today..." 

This week's featured artist is rock star of the stars himself, Mr. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter.  This former Steely Dan member and Doobie Brother has quite a constellation of merits and credits including session work with Eric Clapton, Gene Simmons, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon and Ringo Star. But it doesn't stop there. In '95, he was on the missile defense advisory board!  The Skunk has just finished his latest album, The Speed of Heat which will be coming out soon. He's revived and upgraded the tasty Steely Dan song My Old School. I just got done listening to it and let me tell ya, it is SOLAR! Can't wait to hear the rest of the album. I have the utmost respect for this man of great musical talents and contributions to the welfare and preservation of mankind. For you, Skunk.

Few rock stars of the 60s and 70s had the sex appeal of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. In an interview, he once said he carefully studied Elvis' moves. All I can say is, well done, grasshopper! How could I resist drawing him? He reminds me of my sexy husband, Barry; with his tousled curly mane  and dimpled chin that I could just crawl into! As a teenager on rainy days, I used to sit in my room and draw for hours. I'd replay The Rain Song over and over. I did the same thing for inspiration as I drew this rendering of the greatest crooner of all time, Mr. Robert Plant.

Black Water just keeps on rollin' in this month's featured celebrity painting of Doobie Brother, Pat Simmons. I'm sure he'd be "much obliged indeed." Coming soon....Mr. Willie Nelson.