Painting of Buddy Charleton (Print Update)

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 1 Apr 2008 10:12 am

Here is an oil painting of Buddy Charleton that my brother Ron just completed. He was looking at a lot of steel player photos, and felt that this image really captured something about the steel player in general. He told me that he figured this guy (Buddy) must be a real character by the way he's grinnin', and Ron told me he tried to capture that feeling in the painting. If anyone has the original photo credit for this image, that would be great.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 1 Apr 2008 11:59 am

By the way, the original is 16 x 20.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 1 Apr 2008 12:27 pm

Great picture Chris! I am a visual arts teacher and painter myself.

My specialty at the Univesity was portraiture but I quit doing them a few years back, because people always wanted the paintings for little or nothing. This think that this painting captures Buddy Charleton's character. It's to bad if he doesn't see it.

Your brother has a unique style and it is similar to the great American portait painter Robert Henri that lived about 1860 to 1926. He was one of America's greatest art teachers living and working in New York. His paintings are in museums throughout the world. I love his work! Also he wrote an art book for his students titled "The Art Spirit." It is available through Amazon.com books or publishers that publish art books. You ought to buy him a copy of that book, it sells for less than $20.

Good luck to you and your brother!

May GOD bless!

Terry Wood

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 1 Apr 2008 12:28 pm

Chris,

On second thought would your brother perhaps sell me this painting?

Terry Wood

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 1 Apr 2008 12:58 pm

Hi Terry,

Thanks so much for your kind words. I have forwarded a link to my brother so he can view this thread as well. He will no doubt be interested in seeing the connection to Robert Henri.

This painting is a house-warming present to me. However, he can be commissioned to paint. I can put you in touch with him if you'd like. He just won a regional award at an Arts Centre here, and plans to do an exhibit soon. He is amassing quite a collection, although many of them sell before the paint dries.

He did mention the possibility of doing a run of prints on this one, if the demand was there among the steel community. There is something about a painting that conveys what a photo cannot, and I bet with all your experience that you agree with that.

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 1 Apr 2008 1:04 pm

Wow Chris! That's a beautiful portrait. Thanks for sharing with us.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 1 Apr 2008 1:25 pm

Chris, you have a very talented brother. It proves again your great love and reverence for the Steel Guitar.

Ron, congratulations! Your contribution to the Steel community is great! My prediction is: Watch those orders roll in.

Of course I am extra proud of this, knowing it came from two countrymen and good Newfies.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 1 Apr 2008 6:15 pm

Wonderful job, Ron!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 1 Apr 2008 6:56 pm

Ron is very flattered and appreciative of your comments, everyone. Thanks for taking the time. Ron is also a musician - harmonica and accordian.

The original image was taken at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, 1971.

If someone knows Buddy, maybe they can show this to him. I don't know if he has internet of not. All I've heard is that he teaches lessons at Billy Cooper's in Virginia.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 2 Apr 2008 5:26 pm

Terry, I checked our Robert Henri's work and it indeed bears a striking resemblance to Ron's style. Thanks for pointing that out.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 2 Apr 2008 6:14 pm

That's a fine peice of work Chris! Give Ron my
acolades also. He captured Buddy perfectly ..without
the detail I could have easily guessed who it was.
Amazing!
Are you per chance going to make some enlarged
prints of this suitab;e for framing. If so, I would be interested in purchasing one.

Roy

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 3 Apr 2008 9:07 am

Thanks, Roy!

Ron mentioned that he would be intersted in doing a run of prints, in accordance with interest. I will talk to him today. I'm sure if he did a run of twenty or thirty there would be buyers. Not sure of price yet, but we'd make sure it was reasonable and hogh quality all at once. I'll be in touch very shortly.

Ron is very proud of that fact that this painting is getting the nod of approval from steel players.

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 9 Apr 2008 7:59 am

Chris,
I just received an email from my friend, steel player Rick Price in San Antonio, who told me that he took that original photo of Buddy Charleton that your brother based his painting on. He took that photo back in 1971 and he still has the original. Rick is not a forum member so I emailed you his email address if you want to contact him. He said he had 8x10 copies if you wanted any.
Mike

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 9 Apr 2008 8:29 am

Yes, nice portrait indeed.

I have a copy of original photo that Rick gave me. The likeness is remarkable.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 9 Apr 2008 8:39 am

"There is something about a painting that conveys what a photo cannot..."

I'd agree with that, but only when the painter has your brother's talent! He's captured something very special with the colours he's used. Marvelous!

I wonder what he'd do with the 'other Buddy' as a study...?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 9 Apr 2008 12:34 pm

Thanks, guys. Once again, Ron is really pleased to get your approval. There are very nice compliments here. I spoke with him today and he is pricing a run of prints, maybe 20 or so. I will post on this thread when I find out if he's going ahead with it.

Mike, I received Rick's contact info via your email. Thanks a million. I'm glad to have found him.

I have received some interest in prints via email. If you are interested in a print of this painting, just send me an email and I can gauge the interest accordingly. I will have the original in my hands on Saturday and will take another pic or two then.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 9 Apr 2008 12:43 pm

I contacted Wanda right after you posted this; I believe she has shown it to Buddy. Great job for one of the best ever. I'm planning on going down there to get some work done on a S-10 that I have; hope to see Buddy.

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 9 Apr 2008 1:25 pm

Count me in for one of the prints. Buddy has always been one of my heros.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 9 Apr 2008 4:04 pm

Hey everyone,

I am compiling a list of those who want a print - both on email and this thread. So far I have about 10 people.

I am, however, only sporadically on email unitl Friday when I get hooked up in my new home. So I will contact everyone on the weekend, after we find out the specifics of the print job. Thanks!

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 9 Apr 2008 5:16 pm

Hello Chris:
I would be interested in a copy or print of your brother's great master-piece of the fabulous B.C. He's also one of my favorite steel players.
And I am also interested because I've also taken up Oil Paining with-in the past year. Have yet to attempt a try of a fellow human being. I'll get brave, some day. Congratulate your Bro. for me; an excellent job..Bernie

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 20 Apr 2008 7:54 am

Bernie, that's fabulous that you've taken up painting. I've passed your congrats along to Ron. He wishes you the best of luck.

The painting is currently in the print shop being scanned. I have a list of names on my email, as well as here on the thread, of the people interested in a print. We will have a final cost, which will include shipping, by mid-week. We're hoping to keep the cost down as much as possible without sacrificing quality. Each print will be signed and numbered by Ron, and we are only making twenty to twenty-five. We have about 10 orders right now. Some may decide the price is too steep, others may see this now and want to order one. Either way, we'll take it step by step and hopefully have the orders finalized and prints ready for shipping by the end of the month. We do know that the price, including shipping, will be under $100 for sure.

Thanks and take care.

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 20 Apr 2008 4:43 pm

My interest hasn't waned in the least. Let me how you want it paid.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 21 Apr 2008 8:59 pm

Great, RC....I got you down. Thanks!

We're at about the half-way point in orders, with about a week-10 days from print completion. We've decided to stay at 20, to keep some exclusivity with the prints.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 22 Apr 2008 12:20 am

Hold me one. E-mail has been sent.

Thanks.

Bill

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 22 Apr 2008 6:16 am

Got your email Bill. We will hold one for you. Thanks!

I got back the proof today. It looks incredible. It jumps right out at you, just like the original. I should have the 20 prints back by this time next week.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Painting of Buddy Charleton (Print Update)

Painting of Buddy Charleton (Print Update)

The Portrait Of Buddy Charleton