Rocker Paul Stanley at home in world of art
Musicians taking up the paintbrush is nothing new. From Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood to John Mellencamp to the late David Bowie, it seems like anyone who randomly wandered into a Blick art supply store while on tour found a new hobby throwing paint on canvas.
That wasn't quite the case for Paul Stanley. The guitarist, front man and co-founder of Kiss was going through a painful divorce in 2001 when he began painting as a healthy way to express his emotions, which were at times all over the place.
"It made more sense than wrecking my house," Stanley tells Rock Music Menu, laughing. "A friend of mine said, 'You should paint.' And I had nothing to lose, so I went out and bought paints and canvases and started."
Nearly a quarter of a century in, the exercise has sprouted into another creative and prosperous outlet for the rocker. This weekend, Stanley will be making two area appearances as part of a November fine art tour. Friday, he'll be at the Wentworth Gallery at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City and Saturday in North Jersey at the Wentworth Gallery at The Mall at Short Hills.
He'll be showcasing his new original paintings, hand-painted signature Ibanez guitars, mixed-media originals, hand-painted acrylic sculptures and limited-edition artwork, including pieces on metal.
"It's just another means of expression, and for me, any time I find a way to express myself in a new way, I find out something new about myself," Stanley says. "So, whether it was [with] Kiss or writing those songs, or doing 'Phantom of the Opera' or growing up with classical music or going to museums or painting, it's all an attitude of instead of saying 'Why?' just saying, 'Why not?'"
One year ago, Kiss called it a day, in a touring sense at least. The band, known for hits like "Shout It Out Loud" and "Rock and Roll All Nite," as well as their grease-painted faces and spectacular live shows, closed out the four-year-long "End of the Road" world tour with a pair of sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. Going from 25,000 screaming fans in an arena to a room full of people who are there to see what was created in some of his most raw and exposed moments, you'd think Stanley would be intimidated.
"Perhaps initially, when I first showed some of my art, because I never painted with the idea of anyone seeing it," he says. "It was only because some people saw pieces in my house that were unsigned and went, 'Who did them?' I'm not nervous, because I love my art.
"I love some of it more than others, but I'm not looking for anyone else's approval, although thankfully I've gotten it in droves. I guess what I'm sharing is an opportunity, I'm sharing an opportunity for you to see another side of me and maybe find out something about yourself."
Stanley is a proponent of individual growth and exposing himself to different things. He thinks people get too wrapped up in limiting their tastes or experiences.
"It's not that different than when I'll hear people go, 'Oh, I only like jazz.' Well, OK, that's kind of like saying, 'I only eat chicken.' It's like, well, [there's] a whole lot of food out there and you could benefit from it all. It's not only nutritious, but it'll help you grow. So, for me, I've never understood narrow taste in music. Life is like you need all the food groups, no matter whether you're eating it or ingesting it, or experiencing it."
Stanley points out that the most consistent aspect of his painting is the vibrancy represented in the colors he chooses. He says color "is a reflection of how I view life on its worst day."
"Life's a miracle, so black and white doesn't really appeal to me. I see life as full of color and pulsing and vibrant and challenging and rewarding, and so I think that's what probably comes across in my art is freedom."
Like any other form of art, painting is often about expressing oneself. People may start it for one reason and then continue for another entirely. The pursuit has been called meditative by some, a way of stress reduction for others, or even a way to face down a challenge.
"It's therapeutic," Stanley says. "I think anytime you can purge or let a part of yourself out, you're better for it. I think emotionally, it's always great to keep the faucet running. There's no danger of the pipes bursting or getting rusty."
Stanley, 72, doesn't need to worry about getting out of practice when it comes to music, either. Soon he'll be focusing on what was once a side project in Soul Station, which performs soul and oldies from the Motown and Stax catalogs, mixing in originals in the same style.
"We're just lining up shows and tours now nationally and internationally," the singer says. "It's financially daunting to take a band of that size out, but selfishly, it's so rewarding for me because those songs mean so much to me."
"That's why I think it's so important for people to not limit themselves in terms of music they listen to, because it is also fortifying and invigorating," he adds.
And while Kiss might be finished with the makeup and tours, Stanley doesn't shy from the idea of doing a one-off show, be it a Kiss Kruise expedition or even just getting together with his old bandmates for a few songs.
"Anything's possible," he says. "Kiss is so far from over, though Kiss as we know it is done. But, having our hands and our ideas and our fingers in what Kiss continues as makes all the sense in the world. So, I look forward to whatever comes next without knowing what comes next. But I'm open to it all."
Stanley will be appearing on Friday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wentworth Gallery at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City and Saturday, Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wentworth Gallery at The Mall at Short Hills.
For a limited number of VIP clients, there is an exclusive opportunity to attend a private "Painting with Paul" experience, along with a tour of his private art studio. See wentworthgallery.com for more information.
Vinyl of the week
THE POGUES: "RED ROSES FOR ME"
Back in 1984, when Celtic folk-punk outfit the Pogues dropped their debut LP, "Red Roses for Me," it was unlike anything people had heard and certainly nothing like the new wave pop dominating the charts and radio at the time. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the record, it's been reissued on two new formats. The first is on recycled red vinyl containing the 2013 remix of the album and then as a double-CD set, including the album and B-sides and a bonus disc of BBC sessions from 1984.
"Red Roses for Me" is still celebrated as a groundbreaking debut album from an unlikely group of supposed ne'er-do-wells from London's Kings Cross. The album mashes traditional songs and instrumentals — mainly about death and drink, love and London — with the uncompromising lyricism of front man Shane MacGowan.
Fueled by the punk ethos foundation laid by the Clash and Sex Pistols while incorporating traditional Irish storytelling of the likes of Van Morrison and the Dubliners, the album's release was met with ardent critical acclaim.
Powerful, unique, and spirited — with a bit of irreverence thrown in — "Red Roses for Me" was the beginning of an incredible journey for a London-Irish band whose music sparkles with the genius of its songwriting. Just take a listen to "Boys from the County Hell" or "Dark Streets of London."
Look for "Red Roses for Me" online and from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, email Also, check out his website at thechroniclesofmc.com .
