Art work by world famous music star Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones has gone on show at a Chester gallery.
Castle Galleries in Chester is showcasing the four new prints, all painted while the band was on its global ’14 On Fire’ tour last year.
The new Drawn to Life collection captures the renowned bandmates in expressive black and sepia sweeping lines, suggestive of their animated and dramatic movement during performances on stage.
Highlights with watercolour shadowing - freely brushed on - give depth to the portraits making them pop out from the white background. Each of the limited edition paper prints is hand signed by Ronnie Wood.
Born into a musical and artistic family in 1947, Ronnie Wood has painted and drawn for more than 35 years and received formal art training at Ealing College of Art before commencing his career as a professional musician in the 1960s.
As well as his unique ability to capture the essence of his impressive musical career, charting his life on tour with The Rolling Stones, Wood has also previously created cover artwork for Eric Clapton’s 1988 box set Crossroads, and several of his paintings, including a work commissioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber are displayed at London’s Drury Lane Theatre.
Ian Weatherby-Blythe, Chester gallery manager, said: “Most of us recognise Ronnie Wood as a music legend, but are unfamiliar with his other creative side – he’s actually a very accomplished artist and as his musical career progressed, he also continued his passion for painting.
“He draws with such fluidity and expression that his bandmates are really brought to life. It’s an exciting collection that any art lovers as well as fans will appreciate.”
Ronnie Wood said: “There is no kind of therapy like the one you have from starting and seeing a picture through to the end.
“In a secret sort of way, I like the people who I draw to see the way I’ve depicted them. Unlike music, it’s a solo effort. There’s no one else to blame.”
Ronnie Wood’s collection is free to view and will be on display at Castle Galleries, The Grosvenor Shopping Centre, until April 19.
This latest chapter in the legendary history of The Rolling Stones, as shown in Drawn to Life, is a limited edition run of 295 prints, and the portfolio is available to buy from £2,650.
For more information visit Castle Galleries, call 01244 345 800 or go to www.castlegalleries.com .
