Tom Waits, "Dark"

Tom Waits, "Dark"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 in

Lead on Paper

So far the final installation in the Tom Waits series he is depicted here in the mid-90's while working on one of his plays, The Black Rider with writer William S. Burroughs of "Naked Lunch" notoriety.  It was this era in Tom's life that made me know he was going to knock his role as Satan in Doctor Parnassus out of the park.  Going well back to his Mystery Men days, this classic fedora and suit look just screams lounge lizard but there's so much more to Tom.  This was the very first picture that I did in the Conte Pierre Noire lead pencils that have become the basis of most of the work presented on this blog.  A fortuitous combination of subject and medium to say the least.

Tom Waits, "Diner"

Tom Waits - Diner

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Tom Waits is the man of a million faces.  He seamlessly changes from decade to decade, depending on how he feels and where he's at in his life.  Ranging from soft folk ballads and gentle jazz piano, to out and out rock and roll, even going to so far as to record an album with Keith Richards helming the guitar.  In that spirit I did three pieces ranging from different parts of his career.  This one goes all the way back to those smoke filled bars and coffee shops that he would have been haunting back in the early 70's.  Although he was still cementing himself as an indispensable piece of rock music he already had the look down - and you can have the look down if you want to.  Of course you could always hang it up on the wall and bask in the glory that is Tom like I do though.