Michael Cartellone

Down South Jukin' Interview

Part 2 (Art Questions)

June 2004

It has been my great pleasure to correspond with Michael over the past week.  Like the the rest of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael is very giving and a down to earth gentleman.  He happily agreed to do this interview with me, I sincerely hope you find it as fun to read as it was to do..... Bruce Wall 2004

1)   How did the Road series Paintings idea come about?

We have a lot of down time each day while on tour. So, I thought that painting on the road could be

 possible and it would fill the time creatively. At the time, I was working on a New York City street scene

 set in the 1920’s. It’s a big canvas, 30”x 40” - an aged black and white photo approach. I actually thought

 about taking it on the road, but then realized it was too big to carry in and out of hotel rooms each day.

 So, I thought I would just take a smaller canvas with me on tour and paint something else. Literally, one

 morning while doing sit ups, the five Road Series Paintings presented themselves in my head. A gift from

 above. I actually saw the finished work. So, I spent the next three years creating the vision I had. Oh by

 the way, when this year’s tour ends, I’ll dive back into the NYC painting.
 

2)       I noticed the prints are being released separately.  Are they being released one at a time in order of their creation?  What is the schedule of release?

The paintings were done in this order, with no specific reason: Red, Purple, Yellow, Green and Blue. The

 colors represent a prism effect- so they are being released in that order:

Red- available now, Yellow- July 15, Green- September 15, Blue- November 15 and Purple- January 15,

 2005.
 

3)       When you did these paintings what was your process?  In other words, did you photograph the scene first, sketch it first, etc?

When the tour began three years ago, I created the laminate shown in each painting. I didn’t want to use

 an actual tour laminate and date the paintings. I then spent a few days taking photos, laying the laminate

 in place, trying to capture the vision firmly planted in my head. I did this to have reference photos to work

 from. As you’ve mentioned, I then did a very detailed sketch of the painting, prepared the canvas (prime

 and sanding), transferred the sketch to the canvas and started painting. I followed this process each time

 I began the next painting.
 

4)       I have only seen the pictures on your site, what medium did you use (acrylic, oils)?

 The medium is Acrylic.

5)       How did you find time to do these awesome paintings?  Were they done on the road?

Yes, I painted these on the road. It really enabled me to capture the look and feel of my surroundings. Our

 travel schedule would determine when I could paint. If we would have a day drive to the next city, the

 day would be lost. However, when we travel through the night and have all afternoon until showtime at a

 hotel, I’d get a few hours of painting done. Of course, the days off were very productive.
 

6)       The detail in these paintings is amazing..  I actually thought they were photographs the first time I looked at them.  How did you manage this technique?

Thank You for the compliments about the detail of my work. I’ve always loved photo realism paintings and

 really strive toward that kind of crisp detail. As for technique, I work very slow and carefully with tiny

 brushes. When I first started this adventure, I actually brought 5 blank canvases with me on tour. I

 thought I’d finish all 5 during the five month tour we were starting. What a joke. I wasn’t even done with

 Red by the end of the tour! Each painting took 6 months on average to complete.

 

7)       For the Fans who can’t afford the 300.00 for the autographed and #’d print (which is a really good price for First Edition autographed art prints) do you plan on releasing basic prints (without the autograph) or smaller lesser priced prints? 

I do have some ideas for offering other versions of the paintings down the line. Although, that wouldn’t

 happen until after all five have been released in the current form.
 

8)       These paintings seem very personal, I would think they would be hard to let go of.  Do you have the originals hanging on your walls?  

 Good question. When I began, I had intended to sell the original canvases at a Gallery in New York City.

 As I was painting over the three years, the idea took shape to create the signed and numbered prints

 and share them in a much wider approach. I’m planning a gallery showing of the canvases in NYC after

 the New Year, but for now there’s no place like home!

 

9)       You said you wanted to be a cartoonist..  I bet you have a sketch book full of stuff you have done of LS.  Have you considered doing maybe some features for say a web site or magazine?  Kind of like your Features for the Drum magazines.  You know Skynyrd cartoons by Michael Cartellone.  I think those would be a big hit around the Skynyrd Web ring. 

I really did want to be a cartoonist. Charles Schultz (of Peanuts fame) was my hero when I was younger.

 As I got older, I realized I enjoyed painting more than drawing, but by that time I knew I was going to

 follow music as a career. As for the Skynyrd cartoons, you’re right, I have doodled around with a few. I

 really don’t see doing that as a feature type thing, though. Since you’ve brought up the drum columns I’ve

 written in the past, I have one in the August 2004 issue of Modern Drummer. Check it out if you have a

 moment.
 

Well, I know one web site that would love to show your cartoons, hint, hint, lol  I know I will definitely pick up a copy of Modern Drummer.  Michael, I don't know how to thank you enough for your hospitality.  All of the members here wish you all the Best in this endeavor.  Again, GREAT paintings I can't wait to see more.  Remember, we would really love to post those Skynyrd Cartoons...  As well as any other art of yours. 

Thanks again Bruce. Talk to ya’
Michael

Please check out Part 1 of the interview (Music questions)

Over the years Rock music has experienced a lot of new sounds and interpretations.  One thing I can say about Michael Cartellone, you would be hard pressed to not find something in any of the many styles he has not done.   He is a very versatile and talented drummer.  And now he has demonstrated his talent is not limited to his percussion skills.  His paintings demonstrate the same thoughtfulness and passion his playing does.  We at www.downsouthjukin.com want to wish him all the best in this endeavor and to sincerely thank him for taking the time to give us a little insight into what is like to be the Artist known as Michael Cartellone.

Check out our Bio and pix of Michael:

Michaels paintings can be viewed and purchased on his web site: