Engraved Pearl Inlay

Detail of fingerboard on John C. Haynes 1895 banjo -made for William E. Stratton

I love this design.

From the amazing book,

"America's Instrument- The Banjo in the Nineteenth Century" by Gura and Bollman

Crehore Piano at auction this week

This is interesting.There are a few bass viols and a piano made by Benjamin Crehore, an ancestor of mine, in The Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Up for auction this week is another piano that was part of the Boston Library collection (detail shown above). Partial description:

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Benjamin Crehore Piano, Milton, Massachusetts, c. 1800, ht. 34 3/4, wd. 84, dp. 23 in. Note: Benjamin Crehore (1754-1831) was born in Milton, Massachusetts, and was the first instrument maker in New England to build pianos. Lot 381

LINK to more photos and description. View lots: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - Boston - March 7 2010 11:00 AM

Previews all week at Skinner Skinner, 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA

Auction time: March 7, 2010 11 AM Auction #2494

News for antique instrument lovers in NYC: The André Mertens Galleries for Musical Instruments reopened yesterday at Metropolitan Museum after an eight-month hiatus. Showcasing more than 230 works of art. LINK
A daylong exploration of early music on Saturday, March 13, 2010—Early Music Exposed—at the Metropolitan Museum will celebrate the reopening of the galleries.

The Art of Amy Crehore

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