“Don’t Lose Your Mind”
J. Micah Nelson
www.tennessean.com
by Michelle Jones
Estel Gallery’s Art Defining Music features work by seven artists — Cole Closser, Wes Freed, Steve Keene, Brian Kershisnik, Jon Langford, Bob Masse and J. Michael Nelson. The gallery will host a reception for the artists from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
This group of visual artists has been associated with a number of musical artists, including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Pavement, the Dave Matthews Band, Tori Amos and Hillbilly Casino.
In a suite of portraits by Jon Langford, bright blue and red backgrounds contrast with black and white images of iconic musicians. A musician himself, Langford is a member of The Mekons and the Waco Brothers. His Jerry Lee Lewis captures the singer mid-wail, and a cigarette hangs languidly from Johnny Cash’s mouth in Cash in London 1966.
Large etched wood portraits by Steve Keene, one of JD Souther and one of Linda Ronstadt, hang nearby.
Limited edition giclée prints of Bob Masse’s poster designs include one of Stevie Nicks channeling a pre-Raphaelite muse in a burgundy dress with roses pooling around her. Masse was one of the definitive poster designers of the 1960s, and his work maintains a graphic link to the psychedelic designs of the West Coast music scene, particularly those associated with the Fillmore and other Bay Area venues.
Art Defining Music remains on view through Dec. 18 at Estel Gallery, 115 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. The gallery’s hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Friday and noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call 251-8997 or go to www.estelgallery.com.
Micah Nelson has a website featuring his art at:
http://www.jmnelsonart.com