New Debbie Harry Blondie Pop Art Pink Ben-Day Dots Painting

Artist Kerwin Blackburn reveals his latest Debbie Harry painting, as he captures the Blondie icon in a striking pink pop art piece. available as canvas prints.

My latest By Kerwin pop art tribute painting has been revealed – a striking pink pop art portrait of Blondie icon Debbie Harry. This acrylic painting stands as a vibrant testament to the intersection of art and Blondie’s music. Capturing the essence of Debbie Harry and Blondie, it celebrates their enduring impact on culture and creativity.

My choice of Debbie Harry was motivated by their revolutionary contributions to the music industry, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations. It also my second Debbie Harry painting in my collection after my yellow Blondie painting in 2020. This new painting measures 24×36”, and is acrylic on canvas.

What sets this latest piece apart is its distinctive pop art style. It seamlessly blends the bold, graphic elements of Roy Lichtenstein-inspired pop art (notably his boldly outlined, comic-style portraits and use of Ben-Day dots) with the dynamic, spontaneous energy reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s iconic splatter technique.

This fusion of styles creates a mesmerising visual experience that reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Debbie Harry’s own persona and influence. My Debbie Harry pop art painting is available as stunning canvas poster prints from my online shop – fast worldwide delivery.

Listen to me discussing my Debbie Harry painting live from one of my exhibitions!

The Inspiration Behind My Latest Debbie Harry Painting

My new Debbie Harry painting embodies the fusion of art and music. Depicting the Blondie icon, it pays homage to the band’s – and her individual – profound influence on culture. The choice of this figure reflects their pioneering impact in the music industry.

What distinguishes this artwork is its unique blend of pop art’s boldness with Jackson Pollock’s spontaneous technique. This amalgamation creates a captivating visual narrative, capturing the essence of Debbie Harry’s dynamic persona and lasting legacy.

I chose to paint Debbie Harry again after my previous yellow and fuchsia pink portrait of her, painted in early 2020, was sold in summer 2021 in London. She has remained one of the most popular figures in my collection, so I was eager to capture her in a new light and feature her in my latest exhibitions once again.

Also, my previous Debbie Harry painting was created fairly early into my By Kerwin journey. While it is a stylishly minimalistic composition that is still available as prints, I was keen to challenge myself with a newer, more ambitious painting.

My second Debbie Harry painting features striking contours, more depth to the piece, and a pattern of iconic pop art (“Ben-Day” dots) across the background. Achieving the balance between all these visual components was a satisfying feat.

The Creative Process

This painting was created using my signature painting technique and method. I combine a Jackson Pollock-inspired action painting technique with a bold pop art composition – uniquely fusing two opposing art approaches and movements.

Read about the differences between the action painting’s broader movement of Abstract Expressionism, and the later art movement of Pop Art – and how the two opposed and contrasted with one another – in my insightful blog post here.

This Debbie Harry painting – like all of my By Kerwin paintings – is entirely hand-drawn and hand-painted. I draw the outline onto canvas in pencil first, before painting the background in a block pink colour. Learn about the Grid Drawing method I use in my drawings in my drawing tutorial video here. I also overlaid circle Velcro dots onto the background – arranging these uniformly using string, and drew around these.

Once the canvas had been painted in the block background colours of pink and yellow, I painted the contours in a medium shade of brown (I don’t go too dark initially in case I need to correct any parts of the painting).

As with all of my paintings, I then taped over the negative spaces using masking ‘Frog’ tape, to block the background off. I then did the Jackson Pollock action painting part of the painting, splattering several layers of acrylic paint across the canvas, letting these dry in between each to avoid them blurring. Once dry, the tape gets unpeeled to reveal the dramatic result. For this Debbie Harry painting, I had to do this in two stages; the yellow action painting and then the pink.

Painting the background and choosing the final shades

Once the action painting component of the painting is done, I can then choose the final shades for the face and the contours of the painting. I have a colour image on my computer to work from, so I match the shades as closely to this as I can. I also need to make sure these final shades complement the action-painted layers.

Once all details are painted, I then sign the painting using a brush, and it is finished! The next step is to photograph the piece to turn into prints and the digital version. I then varnish and frame the piece, before doing further photoshoots for the online announcement and marketing of the painting.

Symbolism and Meaning of this Painting

In this painting, the symbolism runs deep, intertwining with Blondie’s iconic status in pop culture. Debbie Harry, as the frontwoman of Blondie, epitomises the essence of pop art symbolism. The band itself emerged during the vibrant era of the late 1970s in New York City, a time synonymous with artistic experimentation and cultural renaissance.

New York was also, fittingly, the home of pop art in the United States and also the city where Jackson Pollock built his career. It therefore has symbolic connection to both of the art movements that inspire my own unique brand of By Kerwin painting. The Roy Lichtenstein-inspired comic book style aesthetic infuses a sense of fun into the piece, reflecting another side of Blondie’s musical persona.

Within the painting, elements of pop art serve as more than just aesthetic choices. They represent the dynamic energy and boldness of Blondie’s music and persona. The vibrant colours, graphic patterns, use of Ben-Day pop art dots, and exaggerated features of Debbie Harry capture the essence of the band’s rebellious spirit and their impact on the music scene.

Moreover, the juxtaposition of chaotic splatters and structured forms in the painting reflects the dichotomy of Blondie’s music – blending punk rock with elements of pop and new wave. This juxtaposition speaks to the band’s ability to navigate between different genres and defy traditional boundaries, resonating with audiences across generations.

Ultimately, my latest Debbie Harry painting invites viewers to interpret the painting through their own lens, encouraging them to delve into the rich symbolism and deeper meanings embedded within Debbie Harry’s portrayal and the legacy of Blondie as a whole.

Conclusion – Picture This…

In conclusion, my Debbie Harry painting celebrates Blondie’s enduring legacy through vibrant pop art. It encapsulates Debbie Harry’s iconic presence and the band’s boundary-pushing music. I invite readers to immerse themselves in the painting’s symbolism and share their interpretations.

For those interested, my Debie Harry painting can be viewed further and purchased as premium canvas Giclée from my online shop here. Prints are available in multiple sizes, with fast worldwide delivery. They make for strikingly colourful and fun artwork to add a sense of style to any home.

Your interest in my Debbie Harry painting and artwork is truly appreciated, and I extend my gratitude for you joining in this celebration of music and art.

What do you think of my Debbie Harry pop art painting? I’d love to hear from you! Explore the rest of my range of hand-painted music and pop culture icons in my online shop

Learn about the meaning of dots in pop art and how Roy Lichtenstein pioneered these in my blog post here. View the rest of my blog section and music and pop art here. Read more about Debbie Harry’s and Blondie’s artistic influence over time through their music here.

View my full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired pop art paintings and prints of your favourite music and pop culture icons at www.bykerwin.com. High-definition printing, fast worldwide delivery and satisfaction guaranteed. You can follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.