Last updated at 09:50, Thursday, 22 November 2012

A signed collection of limited edition art by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has gone on display at a gallery in Cumbria as the world’s number one rock and roll band prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Ronnie Wood. Photo: Sonny McCartney

The 65-year-old rocker, who will be on stage with The Stones on Sunday night when they start their sold-out golden anniversary tour in London, has autographed each of the pieces now being exhibited at Treeby & Bolton in Keswick.

The six graphics are all studies of the Stones playing live on stage, viewed from Wood’s unique insight as a member of the band since 1975. They form a new collection called Decades, which was launched nationally last weekend amid the band’s 50-year celebrations this month.

Four individual images, called the Blue Smoke Suite, include instantly recognisable portraits of Stones originals Mick Jagger, Charlie Woods and Keith Richards, plus a self-portrait. The two group portraits are titled ‘The Raw Panel Series’. All were unveiled at the gallery in Lake Road where they are now on display.

Wood, who received formal art training at Ealing College of Art, has continued to paint and draw for over 35 years.

He said: “Egon Schiele is my latest influence. I love him as well as Caravaggio and Leonardo.

“It’s a fantastic buzz I get from being influenced by great people, same as in music. Every now and again something comes up musically that I want to emulate or try and get the same energy or copy the lick. It’s the same with painters. When I get inspired, I get almost possessed and I just have to paint.”

Wood, who previously played alongside Rod Stewart with The Faces, added: “In a secret sort of way, I like the people that I draw to see the way I’ve depicted them. Unlike music, it’s a solo effort. There’s no one else to blame!”

His latest pieces originate from on-stage photographs, with Wood creating a black backdrop before painting his fellow Stones. He then works in acrylics, then oils and finally embellishing his work with oil pastels.

Libbie Graham, who runs the Treeby & Bolton gallery, said: “We’re thrilled to have Ronnie Wood’s new collection. They are striking, vibrant and really capture the energy of a live Stones performance. With the largest piece being 32-and-a-half inches by 56 inches, they are truly eye-catching.

“The release of this latest collection has been hotly anticipated following the success of his previous Famous Flames collection, which completely sold out last year. They have already caused great excitement since they arrived here and we put them up. They are collectors’ items – a piece of art and a piece of history – and I expect them to sell out fast.”

The Ronnie Wood pieces have been supplied to Treeby & Bolton by Birmingham-based publishers Washington Green Fine Art.

For further information, log on to the website www.treeby-bolton.co.uk or call 017687 72443.

First published at 09:49, Thursday, 22 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk