Papa Charlie Jackson 1890-1938

Papa Charlie Jackson by Amy Crehore

I can't remember exactly when I painted this portrait of Papa Charlie Jackson with his guitar banjo. We used to play some of his songs in our little Hokum Scorchers band.

'Jackson was the first really successful self accompanied performer and he has the distinction of being one of the creators of “Hokum”, a spicy form of popular song that made repeated and continual references to sex, his most popular composition being “Shake That Thing”.' read more about Jackson at Red Hot Jazz

Listen to samples of his Complete Recorded Works on Document Records at Amazon:

Papa Charlie Jackson

We especially loved to play these songs:

"I Got What it Takes, but it Breaks my Heart to Give it Away" (Vol.1)

"Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine" (Vol.2)

and "Loan Me Your Heart" (Vol.3)

Listen to samples of 3 Incredible Volumes of Papa Charlie !

The Art of Amy Crehore

Golden Nature Guides

When I am painting and I need some handy reference material, I sometimes reach for my collection of vintage Golden Nature Guides (published by Golden Press in the 1950's). I can find any sort of plant or animal in these beautiful little books. Here's a link to buy them new:

Golden Nature Guides

The Art of Amy Crehore

Seaside Pierrots

Pierrots were popular seaside attractions in Victorian England.

"Pierrot groups first appeared in Britain’s coastal resorts during the 1890s after being instituted by a singer and banjoist, Clifford Essex. He established the first pierrot group after a visit to France in 1891, having been struck with the appearance of traditional pierrots of French pantomime. They became an established feature of seaside entertainment until the Second World War. Each troupe occupied its own pitch and performed on a portable wooden stage, usually erected directly on the beach.", Tate Papers Spring 2006

(read more about pierrots in art).

More English Seaside Images

The Art of Amy Crehore

Alice

Little Alice Liddell by Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson a.k.a Lewis Carroll

More photos here

The Art of Amy Crehore

Upcoming Event - Charity-by-Numbers

I am transforming this vintage paint-by-number painting from 1955 into my own popsurreal-fantasy compostion. You will be amazed by the list of artists who are participating in this charity auction event happening in February. Stay tuned for more details.

Meanwhile, here is a teaser:

"Top artists of the underground fine art movement alter vintage paint-by-numbers for a once-in-a-lifetime charity auction! The Alliance for Children's Rights and Corey Helford Gallery present a Gala evening of art and festivities to be followed by a week-long on-line auction of classic, hand-painted, vintage paint-by-numbers that have been transformed into modern one of a kind masterpieces by the most sought-after artists of the Pop-Surrealist, Lowbrow, Graffiti, Outsider, Urban, New Fine Art and Contemporary Movements. The Gala takes place February 10, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, 2007 and 100% of the proceeds will go to The Alliance. For details, contact the Corey Helford Gallery at 310-287-2340." (event details )

The Art of Amy Crehore

Nice!

I'm all smiles this morning. My art and my blog got a nice little review here:

http://mardecortesbaja.com/

Good Ol' Charlie

I've been locked away in my studio and I can't seem to answer my important emails or post on the blog very much this week. I'm trying to finish some paintings and the only way to do it is to block out the world!

Today it actually snowed in my town which is very, very rare. It usually only rains here in the winter. It was nice to see white for a change.

The Art of Amy Crehore