The Gina Sigman Gallery

This week's celebrity "focus" is on legendary Woodstock rock photographer, Henry Diltz. Last week when he asked if I would paint him, I actually got nervous! Me painting the famous man who takes pictures! Henry is the sweetest, most humble man when talking about his craft. He is so unpretentious and never turns down an opportunity  to learn from other photographers (including my husband who to the photo that I used as a reference). I finally got to present Henry with the painting as a belated birthday gift. As you can see, he was taken by surprise. He even noted he was wearing the same shirt he was wearing in the painting! The photo below was taken by my very own legendary husband, photographer Barry Sigman who works with Henry.

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.