New Painting: Elvis Presley Pop Art TCB Lightning Portrait
I’m delighted to share my latest By Kerwin pop art acrylic portrait painting. It is a striking portrait of ‘The King of Rock & Roll’, Elvis Presley. This unique painting combines bold colours and Elvis’s dynamic image – and features my signature ‘action painting’ technique inspired by Jackson Pollock. The painting is hand-drawn and hand-painted by me.
This painting is available as high-quality Giclée canvas prints in multiple sizes, with fast worldwide delivery. You can also purchase in different currencies depending on your location. Shop prints of my Elvis Presley TCB painting in my online shop here.
What makes this painting stand out is the bold red lightning bolt across Elvis’s face, a nod to his famous motto “Taking Care of Business” and David Bowie’s iconic Aladdin Sane image. This painting is an exciting and unique tribute to Elvis’s enduring influence on popular culture. This painting measures 24×36”, and is acrylic on canvas.
Elvis has re-entered the building
This is also my second Elvis Presley painting – my first Elvis painting, painted in 2020, featured a bed and gold colour scheme in tribute to his lightning bolt emblem. This piece sold in 2020 at my exhibition in Norwich, UK. I therefore was eager to paint his again and have him once again in my collection at exhibitions!
Having improved as a painter over the 3 years in between the two paintings, I was pleased to be able to capture him in a more detailed, ambitious painting. This new design takes some inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein’s comic-style pop art portraits, particularly with the use of bold outlines and contours.
Listen to me discussing the inspiration behind my Elvis Presley pop art painting!
Learn more about the meaning of Elvis Presley’s ‘Taking Care of Business’ motto and lightning bolt emblem in my separate blog post, here.
Below, I discuss my inspiration behind repainting Elvis Presley and some of the importance of Elvis as a cultural icon.
Understanding Elvis’ Enduring Cultural Impact: Long Live The King
Just why is Elvis such an iconic figure, and such a popular subject for artists to paint too? Elvis Presley isn’t just a name; he’s a symbol of an era, an embodiment of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion. His impact reverberates far beyond the realms of music, resonating in fashion, film, and the very essence of popular culture.
As a cultural icon, Elvis Presley broke barriers and reshaped the music landscape with his distinctive sound and electrifying stage presence. From his hip-swivelling performances to his signature jet-black hairstyle, Elvis captivated audiences worldwide and left a lasting mark on the collective cultural consciousness.
His influence extends beyond his lifetime, inspiring generations of artists across various disciplines. Whether it’s his soulful ballads or his rebellious spirit, Elvis’s legacy continues to inspire and captivate, cementing his status as the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Elvis is therefore the perfect choice of music icon for my By Kerwin range of pop art portraits. Learn what exactly made Elvis so talented, and famous, in my blog post, here.
The Symbolism & Inspiration Behind My By Kerwin Elvis TCB Lightning Bolt Painting
The inspiration behind this Elvis Presley pop art portrait stems from a desire to honour his iconic status and enduring influence. Incorporating the ‘TCB’ (Taking Care of Business) motto and lightning bolt symbolises his boldness and dynamism, while also paying homage to his legendary persona.
The nod to David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane image adds layers of meaning, bridging two iconic figures and highlighting their shared impact on popular culture. Through this artwork, we aim to celebrate Elvis’s legacy while inviting viewers to delve deeper into the symbolism and connections embedded within the piece.
Did you know: Elvis and David Bowie shared the same birthday? Bowie was also a big fan – and they were also both managed by RCA Records at the same time for a while in the 1970s.
The reason for Elvis’ lightning bolt logo was that it represents a sense of urgency and power. His full motto was “Taking Care of Business In a Flash”. Read my insightful blog post that explores the origins and meanings of his iconic TCB emblem here.
My Creative Painting Process
As with all my By Kerwin portrait icon paintings, this piece is entirely hand-drawn and hand-painted. It was painted using my signature painting method, in which I uniquely fuse Jackson Pollock’s action painting technique with a striking pop art aesthetic.
Once I have drawn the image and painted the areas in block colours, I use masking tape to block off certain parts before I undertake the action painting splattering stage. I throw several layers of paint down to create the chaotic effect, and once these are dry I peel the tape off to reveal the image underneath.
As there are many components to this Elvis painting, this piece actually uses 36 different shades of colour in it!
Visit the video section of my website to watch how my creative process brings my paintings to life.
Elvis’s Lasting Impact on Pop Culture
Beyond his musical prowess, Elvis Presley’s influence reverberates throughout pop culture. His iconic style, from his sleek pompadour to his bedazzled jumpsuits, continues to inspire fashion trends.
Elvis’s charisma and larger-than-life persona captivated audiences, leaving a lasting mark on entertainment. Today, his legacy persists in various forms, from his timeless hits being covered by modern music artists, to his image being immortalised in contemporary artworks by greats such as Andy Warhol.
Additionally, Elvis’s influence can be seen in the resurgence of rockabilly subculture and his enduring presence in films, television, and advertising. His impact transcends generations, cementing his status as a cultural icon whose influence knows no bounds.
I am delighted to contribute to Elvis’ continuing cultural impact through this latest By Kerwin pop art painting of mine. Shop prints of my Elvis Presley TCB painting in my online shop here.
Conclusion
In this exploration of my Elvis Presley TCB lightning bolt pop art painting, we’ve journeyed through layers of symbolism and meaning within my portrait piece. My tribute painting celebrates the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s enduring legacy.
Through vibrant colours and bold strokes, the painting captures Elvis’s iconic presence, inviting viewers to dive deeper into its significance. I encourage you to appreciate the combination of artistry and symbolism within the artwork, reflecting on Elvis’s cultural impact and timeless appeal.
For those interested in getting this painting of Elvis on their own walls, it can be purchased as high-quality canvas prints from my By Kerwin online shop, here.
Your interest in my artwork and Elvis Presley TCB lightning bolt pop art painting, and the legacy of Elvis is deeply appreciated. Thank you for joining in the celebration of his influence on pop culture and the enduring power of art to capture the essence of an icon.
What do you think of my latest Elvis Presley painting? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Learn more about the meaning of Elvis’ TCB motto and lightning bolt logo in my blog post here. Discover why Elvis is such a popular figure in pop art 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.
