Trompe l'oeil Banjo Uke

Uke Design Drawings copyright Amy Crehore 2010
Here's the sketch for the head and headstock of the antique Slingerland birds-eye maple banjo uke (1920s) that I am currently painting. This one is a lot like my black tuxedo uke, but it is blond-color. I have created an original design (shown above) where the little pierrot is popping through the head. Looks a little bit like trompe l'oeil. I am having fun painting it. I will show you photos of the finished ukulele when I'm done, so stay tuned.

These vintage ukes are like "found objects" to me - transformed into fine art objects. Each instrument is lovingly restored to playability by my luthier (I wouldn't have it any other way). This one is in excellent shape. The banjo heads, for me, are just like painting on stretched canvas -complete with their metal and wooden frames. Each one is different and unique. For more info on this hot little jazz age instrument- Wikipedia: Banjolele or Banjo Ukes.

I am also currently working on some regular canvases and a letterpress print project. Although I play vintage music now and again, my main concentration is painting. I feel like my art should reflect everything that I am interested in.

If you'd like a Banjo Gal print for $40, be sure to order by midnight March 3, PST.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Bessie Smith Singing on Film (1929)

Bessie Smith - St. Louis Blues (1929) Thanks Robert Dominkovic

Bessie Smith bio

Late 1800s, Siblings, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Siblings, Star Gallery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Originally uploaded by mrwaterslide

Photo of the Day

Amy Crehore's "Banjo Gal" Print Offer, Limited-Time Only $40

"Banjo Gal" Print by Amy Crehore

This image is from my AI award-winning "Little Pierrot" series. The original painting was exhibited in a Santa Monica, CA gallery in 2006 along with 3 other "Little Pierrots" (all of them sold).

I am offering limited edition, giclee prints of the finest quality for collectors. Each print comes in an archival sleeve with a certificate of authenticity and postcards (while they last). Individually hand-signed and numbered by me (Amy Crehore). This is a 7" square image (exactly as shown), centered on 10" x 10" Hahnemuhle acid-free photorag 308gsm white paper. Printed on the finest printer available with superior ultrachrome inks at Sterling Editions. Edition of 250.

Order a "Banjo Gal" print between now and March 3rd, midnight PST

Only pay $40. total (shipping/handling are included), one per person.

Here's the LINK

(Original price was $79., plus shipping)

The Art of Amy Crehore

To view entire series of "Little Pierrots"originals: LINK

Old Movie Titles

"Them!" (1954) Gordon Douglas
Artist Lou Brooks has selected some nice old stills of Hollywood movie titles and blogged about them on his blog.
More of them at: The Movie Titles Stills Collection

Old Lady Lent

My friend Valerie (who lives in Barcelona) sent me these interesting images, along with this explanation: '"La Vella Quaresma" (Old Lady Lent) is a Catalan tradition. During Carnival week she fights with the King of Carnival (Carnestoltes) and finally wins, so his rule of feasting, and wild celebrations is over and is replaced by order, fasting and calm. She carries two salt codfish and is in charge of making sure children eat fish not meat during the seven weeks of Lent. She has seven legs, one for each week. The tradition was to hang her picture in the house with a sweet attached to each leg, at the end of each week the children pulled off a sweet (and a leg). On the Island of Mallorca, (top illustration) they used to saw an effigy of her in half in a public square midway through Lent and children were threatened that the Sawed Lady would come to take them away if they ate meat!'

The Art of Amy Crehore

Matthew J Richards Plays His Banjo Ukes

I love this little video where Matthew compares the sounds of 4 different vintage banjo ukes in his collection. Such a lovely instrument! Thanks Matthew!