Introducing a new book Jerry Blank Paintings: A Journey

I'm pleased to present a beautiful new book of my recent and not so recent paintings.  The book features the most current works from my Jazz Greats, Rock-n-Roll Icons, Sports and Celebrity Legends, as well as, some paintings of the Las Vegas Strip, remembrances of a Year in Paris, some nudes and other explorations. Check it out. You can buy the book on-line at Blurb.com. Click the link to preview and purchase the book. This very colorful coffee-table book will make a terrific gift for the Holidays. Jerry Blank Paintings: A Journey

New Paintings: Tina and Willie

Just completed two new commissioned paintings.  Tina and Willie.  Both great performers with fabulous faces.  (oil, 18"x24")

See more of my "Music Greats" paintings at www.goblankart.com

Las Vegas Showgirl Paintings- Part 2

Lou Anne Harrison Chessik, ex-showgirl and producer of a new exhibition called "Showgirls— The Legacy of Glitz and Glamour", talks about various costumes showgirls have adorned over the years. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YGV3u1V2TE

 

Jubilee at Bally's

Saw Jubilee at Bally's last eve. It's the last production show with real showgirls left on the strip. Sets and costumes have not changed in twenty-five years. I must say it was fabulous. I recommend this show to anyone who wants a glimpse of yesteryear. By the was the beautiful ladies, and I do mean beautiful, are current. Check it out before it's gone forever.

Las Vegas Showgirls

I'm starting a new series of six foot paintings called Las Vegas Showgirls.  This is going to be an exciting and fun project.  I'm working with Lou Anne Harrison Chessik, former Las Vegas Showgirl and now historian and expert about the history of showgirls and the shows and venues in Las Vegas. She is developing an exhibition which will feature paintings of showgirls by various professional artists, displays of show girl costumes, videos and photographs from the early days of the Las Vegas shows up to the present.  The show will be traveling to Los Angeles, London and Paris.  My work will create  impressions of the glamour, beauty and history of that era and will travel with the show.

I'm attempting to do something new with this project. I'll be videotaping the entire process from meetings with Lou Anne and learning about the various shows, selecting images from old photos and film footage, laying-out the paintings, sketching images on canvas and then painting the pieces in oil.  I'll be posting small video clips on YouTube frequently as the paintings progress. We just completed our first interviews with Lou Anne... she even put on a showgirl costume for us. I'll be posting the first clips this week. I hope it'll be fun and interesting to follow along. You can find me on YouTube at JerryBlankman.  Give me a view and you'll see how I create a painting.

Just completed a commissioned painting "Poker Boys", an oil of six college buddies who have been playing poker together for twenty-five years. There was a seventh buddy who passed away in college so these guys collect all the money they've bet and at the end of the weekend, send it to CalLutheran University, their 'alma mater' for their passed pal's scholarship fund. It was a blast painting them and my client loves the piece and is planning on getting giclées for all the guys. Sometimes commissions can be a little awkward, but this one just fell into place. Yeah! If you've got an idea for a custom piece— a family member, an event, a place, moment that you'd love to capture on canvas, give me a call. You can see more of my work at www.goblankart.com

Poker Boys painting nears completion

Just couldn't wait to post this new painting I'm working on. Poker Boys, a painting of seven college buddies who get together every year for a weekend of poker, reminiscing, and merriment. One of the guys died while in college so everyone's winnings get thrown into a pot and donated to a scholarship fund at their university, Cal Lutheran. This painting commemorates their twenty-fifth year together as friends and poker buddies. This painting has been created from a collection of old photos, snapshots and stories of there poker weekends. Lots of beer, burgers, darts, loose change and laughter. It's been a fun project to paint. I'll post the finished piece later this week.

If you'd like to see more of my work, go to: www.goblankart.com. Join me on facebook— search Jerry Blank and follow me on Twitter— JerryJazzman

Jimi Hendrix poster

Hey, with the holidays coming up, here's a great gift for music lovers everywhere. The beautiful 24" x 36" Jimi Hendrix Poster. And you can get it signed by the artist, me! It's a fabulous inexpensive gift. Get one for yourself too. It looks great framed or unframed. Get it at www.goblankart.com