Jimi Hendrix

Over a decade ago saw the release of 'Jimi Hendrix - The Premier Collection' (2012) featuring both artwork and manuscripts from legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970).

These new limited edition reproductions of manuscripts (song lyrics) and landscape paintings from Jimi, gave fans all around the world a new insight into the mind of the creative Rock and Roll genius.

A bit more about the legend that is, Jimi Hendrix...

Predominantly renowned for his legendary rock music, Hendrix was born to express and create and not only does his talents as a lyricist, musician and singer speak volumes to many, but more recently so does his collection of water colour art works.

Growing up in the 1950's just outside Seattle, the artist spent many a day outdoors being among nature and playing along the coast and this was to have much influence on his music and later, his art.

From an early age Hendrix enjoyed creating detailed pictures, this ranged from the team uniforms of his college footballers as well as depicting hydroplane racing on Lake Washington. Scribbling annotations next to each image showed the care and detail Hendrix prided his work with and it is clear to see now, how his lose and unique water colours would develop and prove popular among his art collectors.

Alike to his music the impact of his art is renowned for capturing a specific period in time or a life moment and this is then translated to canvas for all to see. As Hendrix began to create music his art took a dramatic change and the background now became the central focus of the image and a more lose and dreamlike style took place.

He would take few and precious moments to open his sketch book and return to painting in between his new found fame as a musician, although art had to take a back seat due to his fame and demand for touring. His art has taken the same direction as his music; at first it was slow in its recognition and was not well received in the USA as black singers were pigeon holed as soul and anything outside of this category was deemed inappropriate.

However, it was on his trip to the UK that the people recognized the incredible underlying talents the artist had and it was later said that Hendrix often referred to London as his home. It was in London that Hendrix was able to express himself and was not categorized by his skin colour making him free to create the music he so loved to play.

Creating a persona with his new found confidence also saw the paintings of the later stages of his life take a new direction too. Towards his death the art became increasingly intensified and dreamy in their appearance too and an interest and new excitement began once his paintings came to light.

Still fifty years after Hendrix death his music lives on and now his paintings carry on the creative legend that is Jimi Hendrix, allowing us to see the potential and promise he possessed as an artist.