If I’m the person down the road charged with marketing the film, I would absolutely seek out talents like Stadtlender, along with Julien Trédan-Turini and Heath Killen, who each contributed awesome teaser poster designs, and devise some kind of design contest/workshop/whatever that utilizes the skill of artists who clearly have a love for design and Miles Davis.

But that is a discussion for another time.

Here we have Stadtlender’s latest – and it rocks! We wish the movie was opening summer 2012!! What I like is how Stadtlender plays with all sorts of visual styles from one design to another; a touch of modern here, a tip of the cap to the legendary Saul Bass there – a nice variety of color, design and concept.

I added a gallery below of all eight teaser poster designs. But here is the latest.

© Michael Stadtlender

The three Miles Davis collages, one above and one below, are excellent, which is an obvious declaration. But to explore Mardi’s unique artistry is quite exciting, like a visual jolt to the eyes and mind. Each collage is a cool assemblage of colors and photos, words and designs.

The many collage designs are downright inspiring. After awhile I get the impulse to start experimenting with this technique of visual art. But for now I will leave the collage art to talented professionals like Jose Mardi. Based in Valencia, Spain, the artist was so kind recently to chat with me about his craft, inspiration, and Miles Davis.

Miles Davis Online: How would you describe the ‘style’ of your artwork?
Jose Mardi: I work with the technique of collage, freestyle. I use paper, scissors, cutter and glue. No computer, no scan, or anything that has to do with digital manipulation. Jazz images from the 20s to 60s inspire me, photography and album covers and teachers who created an iconography for life. My collages can be understood as a tribute to them. With all the respect I have for their work.

Miles Davis Online: Why Miles Davis?
Jose Mardi: I use lots of different artists. But with Miles it’s impossible not to admit his image is iconic, his work is the work of life surrounding jazz. It is for any jazz lover a starting point, a continuity or change, a lot different things that inspire us and make us better people.

For my work, any of his classic photos could make me sit for hours composing new images, new perspectives that are often nonsensical – and new ways of understanding music.

Miles Davis Online: You feature so many wonderful musicians – and plenty of jazz artists. Would you say there is something unique about jazz musicians that make them such compelling subjects for your artwork?
Jose Mardi: Although what I said about Miles Davis is special, it could be about other musicians. Images taken by William Claxton and Herman Leonard, the designs of Reid Miles, or Steinweiss, among many others, are so faithful to what the music represents, sometimes I’m scared to manipulate their work. But my love of jazz helps and motivates me.

I like the spontaneity of the work. Not everything has to be perfect.

Miles Davis Online: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Jose Mardi: Every day I think of joining pieces of paper to create some new jazz collage that someone might like. I am currently working on a series of collages around the blues.

Miles Davis Online: Obviously music plays a large role in your work. Can you talk about your musical influences and how they have impacted your work as an artist?
Jose Mardi: I’m a big music fan. Mainly, during the last two decades, Afro-American roots music. Blues, jazz and soul and their younger siblings. The music has inspired me to live and grow. Last year I closed my record store where I worked for eleven years – but I am still part of the business of music.

For my collage work I decided to start with the images of jazz because it is the most likely offered to me. In my daily life, including my work on collages, a lot of big names and much less known musicians helped build my work. Lee Morgan, Coltrane, Eddie Jefferson, Art Blakey, Tyrone Washington, Carmell Jones, Lorez Alexandria… it’s impossible to name only a few. Not too mention soul music, of which I have real passion.

Miles Davis Online: Will you revisit Miles Davis again?
Jose Mardi: Definitely, yes. I have only to find good images to use.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Jose Mardi: Difficult question. I like his Blue Note, Columbia or Prestige records, but one reference still to me is “Birth of the Cool” on Capitol.







* You can see more of Jose Mardi’s artwork on Flickr.

Artwork is © Jose Mardi

Stumbling across the Internet and discovering a talented artist and author like Jesse Watson really makes my day. Sure, he features outstanding Miles Davis paintings, which is what led me to his official website in the first place, but all of his artwork – which includes wonderful collections like Jazz & Blues, Jamaica, Faces of Reggae and NW Surf Art – should definitely definitely definitely be enjoyed.

I see a painting of Miles Davis dressed in a spacesuit, I am immediatley going to need to know what all that’s about. So I dropped Jesse a line and he was kind enough to chat with me about what Miles is doing in space and other creative matters.

Miles Davis Online: Is there anything specific that sparked your interest to paint Miles?
Jesse Watson: I’ve been mystified by Miles’ music for a long time. The power and gentleness, clarity and chaos. There is no more confusing and intriguing a subject as he. In all these portraits of musicians, it is my goal to represent not only their likeness but the vibes of the music they share with us. So for my portraits of Miles, I set out to show different sides of the man and his music.

Miles Davis Online: I can’t believe I waited until the second question to ask, but let’s talk about the painting Miles Away. Miles Davis dressed like an astronaut is equally terrific and curious. Where did you get the idea to paint Miles in space?
Jesse Watson: Miles Away. How could Miles not be from outer space, or from the future, or from another dimension? He seemed so distant and unique and I couldn’t help but picture him showing up for a gig and then as soon as it was over, hopping back into his space shuttle and leaving Earth again.

It was as if he had a very clear view of humanity from his perch seven thousand miles up, and when he visited us with his music he gave us exactly what we needed. But he was not at home here. He was just visiting.

Miles Davis Online: Would you say there is something inherently unique about jazz musicians that make them such compelling subjects to paint?
Jesse Watson: Absolutely! All of these players that I painted had the ability to transcend time and space with their improvisation and problem solving. They left indelible marks on our culture with their recordings but it was not the notes, it was the interaction, the timing, the nuance, the magic. And that magic can’t be canned or called on by anybody who wants to record an album.

I intended my process in painting these images to mirror the sessions these guys had. I laid down an unrestricted ink line, doing my best to capture the likeness but also let my body respond to the music I was listening to while I inked. Then with acrylic paint, I would paint into the ink and define the rest of the painting in an improvisation right then and there. The days or weeks following when I would “finish up” would be a task of further building up the oddities of that initial improv of ink and paint.

And so the problem solving that happens right on the spot can take closer to my finished piece or create a host of problems I will need to solve before getting there. I have to make a decision, good or bad, and then turn that decision into something that works with the whole painting. Like an ensemble, each player must both bravely step out into the silence, and conform their own utterances to the benefit of the song itself.

Miles Davis Online: Who are some of the past or contemporary artists who influence you?
Jesse Watson: Matisse, Coltrane, Pissarro, Van Gogh, Sargent, Miles, N.C. Wyeth, Marley, Tosh, De La, Rakim, Hockney, my dad – and the list goes on.

Miles Davis Online: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Jesse Watson: I am always working on concepts for fine art exhibits. I tend to work in big bodies of work with common themes. I have an idea for a show dealing with punk rock that I might get to someday. Not sure about that one. Hmm.

I am also working on children’s books, which is the other half of my work. Always writing and sketching for the next possible project. So, just like the soloist on stage, I have to make a sound and go with it.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Jesse Watson: It feels so standard to say, but Kind of Blue really does get so much play that I have had to replace the CD more than a few times in my life, but I also love In a Silent Way an awful lot, too.


* You can see more of Jesse Watson’s artwork at his official website.

Artwork is © Jesse Watson

(pt. 2)

I was fortunate recently to make the acquaintance of talented actor and artist Chris R. Wright. The London-based Wright features a terrific collection of sketches on his website, each produced with a ballpoint pen on watercolour paper. Biro is the word commonly known to describe this type of artistic sketching.

Among the collection of nicely-detailed, clever and unique sketches, we have a delightful Miles Davis sketch (above), which Wright was kind enough to send our way, along with a few minutes to chat about the story behind the artwork.

Miles Davis Online: What is the story behind this fantastic sketch of Miles Davis?
Chris R. Wright: I was made aware of something called The Miles Davis Fan Project, which involved Miles Davis fans compiling a kind of ‘favourites’ album, dictated by how many ‘likes’ various tracks received on facebook.

It is to be a legitimate release through Sony and part of the project is to vote on the album’s title and artwork, which are open to anyone (or so I thought) to design and name. Once work was completed on my offering, I was a little crestfallen to hear that non U.S. residents were actually not eligable to submit their work!

Miles Davis Online: Have you sketched Miles in the past, or any other jazz artists?
Chris R. Wright: I had never drawn Miles Davis before, but occasionally sketch quasi-caricatures of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and a few others. I wanted to draw him for some time, among others, but never quite had the courage. For the most part what I doodle are imagined characters not based directly on anything real, so I hesitate before attempting portraits because they require that bit of extra care and attention (especially with a ballpoint pen). However, the fan project gave me the excuse I was looking for and I enjoyed drawing Miles a great deal.

Miles Davis Online: How did you decide on this particular image/design of Miles Davis to sketch?
Chris R. Wright: I wanted him to look really rock ‘n’ roll, coz I think he is up there with the Elvis/Dylan sort of figures, so I opted for the not-too-short not-too-long hairstyle, with a hint of quiff, and those great shades he wore. The cigarette had to be there too for added cool and I wanted to get the electric side across, so the smoke turning into a jack etc.

Basically, I think he looked like crap in the eighties so knew I’d avoid that era, but didn’t want to do yet another ‘safe’ “Kind of Blue” Miles Davis which we all see too often. The detail on the waving paper behind him is roughly lifted from the artwork on Live Evil. His albums always looked great!

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Chris R. Wright: I’m by no means an aficionado and haven’t heard a great deal of his work, but I do own maybe half a dozen of his records, crossing both the early and later releases. I think out of them it would have to be “In a Silent Way” right now which was a present from a friend who is a long-time Miles Davis fan (and certainly more appreciative of his work than I am). I am amazed by this record, not least how how enduring it is and it has quickly become a firm favourite.

* The Miles Davis sketch is available to purchase as a print here.

© Chris R. Wright

(Artist Series, Volume 17)

Before I delve into my introduction of Michael Stadtlender, I just want to say that if I were running the show on the Miles Davis Movie, I would absolutely run a contest to have people design the movie poster. Maybe the winner gets his or her design published in a magazine, have the poster appear in various locations for marketing or whatever. But I would do that. Moving on…

Our talented friend Julien Trédan-Turini designed an awesome teaser poster for the Miles Davis Biopic. And then the accomplished graphic designer Heath Killen joined the party and delivered a kick-ass design of his own for a teaser poster. His uncomplicated, yet wonderfully compelling design showed up all over the web, many believing this was, indeed, the first teaser poster for the film.

But let’s talk about the supremely talented Michael Stadtlender. We have previously published seven – SEVEN! – of Stadtlender’s movie poster designs inspired by the forthcoming (we hope!) Miles Davis Biopic from Don Cheadle. Each of the seven posters are wonderful, unique, and I highly recommend checking them out here and here.

Whichever distributor eventually nabs the rights for Cheadle’s film will have a marketing team to design promo materials, posters and whatnot. No reason in the world not to give Stadtlender and the other designers I have spotlighted a call to discuss all the ways to promote the film with a variety of exciting design concepts. And goodness let’s utilize the ‘Net as much as possible.

In the meantime, Stadtlender has returned with yet another entry into his terrific collection of movie posters for the Miles Davis Biopic. This time he forgoes any images of Davis for just a simple, yet poignant shot of a trumpet. We have no idea what the name of the film will be, but I like Stadtlender’s choice of copy. Stadtlender also worked up a design in the first trio of Miles Davis Movie posters of just a trumpet as the focal point, but the new design has a more delicate feel to it. What I like about Stadtlender’s work that shows up in the now eight posters is his ability to zigzag between design styles; his excellent nod to the legendary Saul Bass (see: below left) just might be my favorite of the bunch.

Stadtlender was kind enough recently to step away from his design work to answer a few of my questions for our latest installment in the Miles Davis Online Artist Series. He has some interesting things to say about his creative process and offers a few helpful suggestions for those who might one day have the enviable task of designing movie posters for the Miles Davis Biopic.

Miles Davis Online: Your teaser posters for the Miles Davis Biopic are terrific. Was their a specific inspiration for the designs, or did you just jump in and let your creativity take you where it wanted?
Michael Stadtlender: I would say both. Miles and his music were so complex that there can be many styles of design. They have led me to creating styles from mellow and soothing to bold and mind-bending. For instance, I love the art of Saul Bass so I was inspired to design a teaser poster that has all the elements of his unique style of art while another poster was inspired solely by the power of Miles’ instrument, which I colored blue as an homage to his brilliant masterpiece, “Kind of Blue.”

I will have thoughts and ideas on what I want to include in the design but never really know where it will take me so the final design has been, for the most part, not what I envisioned in the beginning but always satisfying in the end.

MDO: What’s the creative process behind designing those types of posters? How do you arrive at a final product?
Michael Stadtlender: My love of Miles and his music is the initial step. Even if you don’t love the subject you are designing, you must understand it in order to convey it properly. I begin with a theme, or style, I have in my mind and choose photos and colors that would compliment the theme(s). With that, typography plays a big role in my designs so I want the titles to stand out not only with the lettering but placement as well.

I experiment with all these elements until something grabs a hold of me and I continue with it, adding more elements if need be until I feel the work is completed. Being that I am very meticulous, I look over and study my work for a good amount of time to see if it needs reworking or has been completed.

MDO: Who are some artists/designers that inspire you?
Michael Stadtlender: There are so many but my main sources of inspiration are Dave Mckean, Wassily Kandinsky and Saul Bass. All three have extremely different styles of art yet each is equally powerful.

MDO: If you had any advice for the eventual team that will one day be asked to design the movie posters for the Miles Davis Biopic what would it be?
Michael Stadtlender: I would say, listen to the music and get to know what kind of man Miles was. A greater understanding will lead to better design that can communicate the passionate man and musician he was. Of course, this also depends on what story Don Cheadle wants to present to the public.

Personally, I would go for a more subtle approach that will spark curiosity as well as please the eye. Most Hollywood posters I see these days focus on photos of the actors/actresses for selling purposes (which is understandable) but I would either use an photo that depicts a sublime Miles or his trumpet alone. Both would be intriguing and profound.

MDO: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Michael Stadtlender: As a matter of fact, I just finished another Miles Davis poster teaser especially for your blog (see: above). I hope you and your audience enjoy it. Hopefully, Mr. Don Cheadle will see it and want to hire me for the design team!! Aside from that, I have just begun working on a gig poster for a band called, Olivia Tremor Control.

MDO: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Michael Stadtlender: Tough question!! I would say “In a Silent Way” is my all-time favorite. I have gone back and forth on favorite Miles albums for years. “Bitches Brew” was a favorite for a long time, along with “Kind of Blue” & “Tribute to Jack Johnson” which are still in my top 5 but “In a Silent Way” is definitely my number 1.

Artwork is © Michael Stadtlender
To contact Michael about his work please email him here.

(We have featured 16 amazing artists so far in the Artist Series. Here is a re-post of the first one – featuring the talented Yuriy Shevchuk)

Yuriy Shevchuk’s artwork is wonderful; modern art so full of charm, sophistication and style blended with a delightful harmony of color.

Among his excellent gallery of oil, watercolor and pastel artwork are numerous Miles Davis paintings (two posted above). There’s actually a large number of lovely, jazz-inspired paintings to enjoy, but for our All Things Miles Davis purposes we’ll just focus on the Prince of Darkness. I recently caught up with Yuriy, currently living in Prague (how nice!), to chat about his work and painting Miles Davis.

Miles Davis Online: Why Miles Davis? What about the jazz legend makes you want to feature him as a subject for your artwork?

Yuriy Shevchuk: His detailed ways of expressing his music, by making a very strong tension out of every note played, are very similar to the ways I paint. His melodies come into my head as colors and shapes, which I illustrate with my water colors and oil. To me his smooth jazzy sound is an inspiration itself.

Only a few seconds of listening to “Time after Time” gets me to ecstasy, it jumps up my heart, and I just feel I have to express these feelings. So I take my brush and I draw something I feel the song represents. I imagine what the musician is probably thinking while singing something that makes people like me feel so filled up with life.

Miles Davis Online: Do you think jazz artists make great subjects to paint?

Yuriy Shevchuk: Jazz music is very smooth and full of happiness and life. A good painting must be full of life. It doesn’t necessarily have to be optimistic but it definitely has to make me feel as a person so I can paint something that another person would like. The great level of some jazz musicians’ feeling of the music also makes it easier for other artists to work with their piece… and something in a quite different direction as for me is painting.

Miles Davis Online: What are you working on now? Anymore Miles Davis paintings in the future?

Yuriy Shevchuk: Yes, I will continuously be adding more art with jazz & rock stars into my collection, including Miles Davis, but I’ve been busy from drawing jazz with other commissioned artworks.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?

Yuriy Shevchuk: “Time after Time” and “Human Nature” from 1989 in Paris, featuring Kenny Garret.

Artwork is © Yuriy Shevchuk

Artwork available for purchase at www.shevchukart.com, imagekind, fine art america and redbubble.

Here is a wonderful sketch I found of Miles Davis at Ruth Mowry’s artistically excellent Synch-ro-ni-zing blog. Her sketch design of the jazz legend is clean and decisive; it’s a strong visual.

© Ruth Mowry

I had an instant reaction to Jamie Parslow’s photography: the work is honest and immediate.

In my search for Miles Davis art and photography, I found Parslow, and with him not only three, marvelous photographs of the jazz legend, but a lovely assortment of photographs taken throughout a long, exciting career; presently residing in Norway, Parslow’s work covers many decades, the photographs a reflection of his life from one adventure to another.

In the ‘70s Parslow spent time at Rolling Stone, so no doubt you will find a lot of great concert photos and shots of famous folks. From Hendrix to B.B. King, Jack Nicholson to Janis Joplin it is a collection well worth your time to peruse.

Each of Parslow’s collections, located on his website, are a delight to view, and I recommend highly doing so.

Parslow was kind enough to take a few minutes and chat with me about his work – especially the three, Miles Davis photographs I love so much.

Miles Davis Online: Let’s start with the two, ‘Peepshow’ photos titled ‘Miles Davis, 1969.’ What’s the story?

Jamie Parslow: These two were taken at the Monterey, California Jazz Festival. I talked my way to a backstage press pass and went from there.

Miles Davis Online: What about the 1970 photo of Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis?

Jamie Parslow: I had moved from San Francisco to New York, and with a nice recommendation from [photographer] Jim Marshall, I had met, and was doing some work for Bob Thiele, the Flying Dutchman.

These photos were taken at a combination 70th birthday celebration for Louis, and recording session for the Louis Armstrong and Friends What A Wonderful World album. Miles was one of many who came to wish Louis a happy birthday. Quite en event. But what did Miles say to Louis…?

Miles Davis Online: What was it like to photograph Miles Davis? Were you able to get a good sense of what kind of person he was?

Jamie Parslow: I can´t say I spent time with Miles, but I found him to be very congenial, cordial and patient with me, especially when I had my camera in his face! He never reprimanded me, never complained, on the contrary was very patient, would pause when he knew I was photographing him. I was in awe.

Miles Davis Online: How would you describe yourself as an artist? Does your work represent a specific ‘style?’

Jamie Parslow: A subjective documentary photographer. It´s a fine line between the personal and the private, a line I try and walk as often as possible.

Miles Davis Online: What will we be expecting to see in your future work?

Jamie Parslow: More personal work.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?

Jamie Parslow: I think I have to go with Bitches Brew. What a crew, what a gathering of some of the finest musicians at that time. A phenomenal album, innovative, brilliant!

Photographs are © Jamie Parslow

All of Parslow’s photos are for sale; prices available upon request

The sculptures by artist Ed Dwight depict Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis and will be on display at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.

via vindy.com

The artwork will be displayed in conjunction with the Bitches Brew Revisited performance on June 3 and throughout the 2011 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival.

Ten finalists (chosen by a public vote) each will receive a pair of tickets to the June 3 performance of Bitches Brew Revisited; the Discover Jazz Festival’s opening night show features musicians including Graham Haynes, Vernon Reid and Marco Benevento.

One of those ten finalists (chosen by a panel of judges) will receive a pair of tickets to the show and a grand prize of $500. All finalists’ and winner’s work will be displayed on stage prior to the performance and printed for display at the after-party.

Deadlines for submissions is May 13, 2011. Click here for more information.

“This is such a fun opportunity to think about how we approach art, and how art builds on art,” Geeda Searfoorce, associate director of the jazz festival, told the Burlington Free Press.

“The visual art on the album is so stunning and striking. There’s something really lovely — and with great potential — to say ‘re-imagine it.’”

Searfoorce added: “We thought about how we can engage audiences in a deeper way to really funny enjoy the show, and have the best experience possible.”

Mati Klarwein (1932 – 2002) was the creator of the original Bitches Brew album cover art, a visionary artist and painter inspired by psychedelic surrealism and best known for his works used on the covers of music albums.