Neal Hamilton is an accomplished Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Photographer and Painter. His passion for art is infused in each painting as the image comes alive and speaks to you. The paintings are intense and revealing, with eyes that stir your soul and colors that accentuate the subject's mood - sensuality, mystery or in-your-face flamboyancy.

The Paint Out Loud! series features legends of music created from Hamilton's heart and soul. From the remnants of a house fire which destroyed most of his art, he took half-used cans of house paint, trowels, knives, and sea sponges to move and work the paint on the canvases. Playing the music he loved, Hamilton fashioned images which exploded onto the canvas: Sting, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Madonna, Prince, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, and Miles Davis. His image of James Brown was recently featured in a tribute concert presented by the Brown Family and Brown's legendary band. "Just as rock and roll music is wild, passionate and over the edge, so is my approach to painting portraits of my rock and roll heroes," explains Hamilton.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Hamilton graduated from Cuyahoga Community College. He began his professional career as a technical illustrator where he designed lighting for the Broadway Theater in New York. Hamilton transitioned to graphic design with Artists Studios and later as president of Livewire Studios designing campaigns for American Greetings and Taco Bell. For ten years, he was the official photographer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2004, he began the Paint Out Loud! series and has had a one man show at Morgan Stanley Excellent Experiences Gallery in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Rosa, California. Hamilton's work has supported many charitable organizations including the permanent collection of the National Football Hall of Fame and Museum.