subject: Elvis Immortalised With Art Supplies [print this page] Elvis Immortalised With Art Supplies Elvis Immortalised With Art Supplies
The King of Rock and Roll has been committed to canvas by a fellow celebrity using art supplies.Rolf Harris painted Elvis to commemorate an anniversary of the singer's death after being inspired to use art supplies by a close friend who confessed to being a huge fan of the American rock legend.The Australian is no stranger to painting famous people having already created a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for a special edition of the extremely popular television programme 'Rolf on Art', which remains the most watched arts programme in British history, but this time the subject was rock royalty.Rolf chose to use different coloured art supplies to create a contrasting portrait of Elvis which sees him energetically punching the air while wearing clothing typical of his Las Vegas era.The Fine Art Blog praised the painting, which is covered in a blue hue, and said that the entertainer's use of art supplies demonstrated a different side to his usual style.Fine Art blogger Russell said: "Personally I think 'Blue Elvis' reveals Rolf Harris's versatility as a painter and this is an outstanding figurative piece of work in its own right; the fact that it is a tribute to such a beloved icon makes it even more satisfying to me."Harris has passed on his ability with art supplies to his daughter Bindi who has managed to establish a successful career despite the huge celebrity of her father.Rolf told the Guardian newspaper: "I think she's become an artist in spite of me. She's been under my shadow all her life and now it's her turn to shine."Bindi revealed to the Guardian that she used art supplies to create oil portraits of local people before going to Bristol University to study the subject.She describes her paintings as "slow release" and relates them to the feelings experienced when meeting someone for the first time as they provoke a willingness to explore the subject.The whole Harris family are creative and have exhibited together before as Rolf's wife and Bindi's mother Alwen is a talented sculptor.Rolf told the BBC: "I hope everyone who visits the exhibition is touched in some way by the whole family's art."Alwen met Rolf at a London City and Guilds Art School when the Australian moved to England to develop his career.
