(video of his first signing at bottom of text)
Steve signing the portrait at that wonderful first meeting
Steve and myself in his studio, the first time we met
Steve kindly adding an inscription at my exhibition
Our first meal together with Steve and Jo in July 2011, with my friends Brian and Karen (also a talented artist herself, Karen appeared on Sky Arts TV programme ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’. See her amazing art here Kazeli Art )
Another wonderful evening with Steve and Jo in 2018, along with my friends Jane and Eric Jedwab (also huge fans of Steve’s music). Jane and Eric run a horse riding school for actors which I attended, called Polmartin Riding Schools
Myself with Steve Hackett and keyboard musician Roger King, playing my Didgeridoo on Steve’s album ‘At The Edge of Light’.
So honoured and proud to have my name on the album credits!
A press review on the album
The original photo Steve gave me that inspired my portrait
The exquisite artwork on my favourite Genesis album ‘A Trick of The Tail’ that inspired part of my portrait. *Illustrated by Colin Elgie
Steve’s first signature on the portrait
Close up on the portrait upper half…the spirit realm!
Painting Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Genesis
Painted in April 2011
Acrylic on canvas - 30 inch x 24 inch
Not for Sale
Autographed by Steve in May 2011
My favourite guitarist is Steve Hackett, who was lead guitarist and co-writer with Genesis from 1971 to 1977 during their incredible ‘prog rock’ era with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, regarded by many as the greatest era in the band’s 50 year history.
Steve is currently a successful solo artist and continues to perform sell-out concerts around the world, performing the old Genesis classics he co-wrote, alongside his brilliant solo work.
Having been a fan of Steve Hackett since the 1970’s when I was first mesmerised by his guitar playing on the Genesis album ‘A Trick of The Tail’ (still my all time favourite album to this day), in 2011, I felt competent enough as an artist to produce a portrait of Steve that I would be proud of.
However I wasn't sure on how to go about composing a great portrait of him. I wrote to Steve’s agent asking his advice and if it would be possible to meet Steve and ask him to autograph the portrait when finished. I was very excited to receive a personal letter back from Steve himself and he kindly sent me a photo of himself sitting on some steps with his guitar, which sparked off my imagination and I came up with this concept.
The top image of Steve is from his early days with Genesis and in the context of the painting represents his 'higher self' or soul in the spirit realms, which channels down the inspirational music to his physical self below on Earth.
The 2 characters in the top corners are inspired by the exquisite artwork that appears on the Genesis album 'A Trick of a Tail' created by artist Colin Elgie.
I used silver glitter to flow from the character top left down to the image of Steve below, to suggest musical inspiration flowing from his soul to his physical heart.
After completing the painting I wrote to Steve and was thrilled when he kindly invited me to meet him and his wife Jo at his recording studio in London to autograph it.
My friend Brian, also a huge fan of Steve, came with me and we had a very special morning with Steve and his lovely wife Jo at their studio where he kindly signed the portrait.
They made us feel very welcome and myself and Brian were honoured that Steve took time out of a very busy schedule to chat with us and was he very generous too.
We all got on very well and found we shared similar esoteric interests and Steve said if we were ever in London again we could meet up for a meal.
A very special day I shall always remember.
Since then, we have all met many times and had wonderful evenings together along with my friends Brian and Karen (also a talented artist, Karen appeared on Sky Arts TV programme ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’. See her amazing art here Kazeli Art )
I am now very honoured to be considered a personal friend of Steve and Jo. Steve also attended an exhibition of my art where he felt inspired to add to his previous signature on my painting and wrote ‘To Paul, a very great artist, with love and best wishes..’
The story continues… at one of our gatherings, whilst chatting about music, I mentioned to Steve that I play the Aborigine instrument the Didgeridoo (or Yadaki as the Aborigines call it) a very spiritual instrument and I am blessed to have an authentic Didgeridoo that was made by an Australian Aborigine in the 1970’s.
Then, in August 2018, just prior to my birthday, I was enormously honoured when Steve asked me to play my Didgeridoo on one of his songs on his forthcoming solo album ‘At the Edge of Light’.
I had a wonderful day in his studio with Steve, his wife Jo and the fabulous keyboard player of his band and sound engineer Roger King. Roger recorded me playing my Didgeridoo and it featured on the song ‘Under The Eye of The Sun’.
Listen to the song below (my Didgeridoo playing appears around 3 minutes into the song during a beautiful, haunting instrumental moment)…
Steve Hackett - ‘Under The Eye of The Sun’
Imagine my joy and pride when I received a copy of the album from Steve with my name in print on the album credits!
A moment I could never even have dreamed of as a boy 40 years before, listening to my old vinyl LP of ‘A Trick of The Tail’ in my bedroom!
I feel so blessed to have this miracle as part of my journey in life.
Thank you Steve and Jo!
Below is a film of the first day I met Steve and he signed the portrait.