Fiona Long Art

This is my portrait of the late, great blues music legend Tommy Johnson. I was commissioned to do this portrait by the Tommy Johnson Foundation. They are having a Tommy Johnson Memorial Festival this October to raise money for a memorial to TJ and road access to the memorial. This painting will be used as publicity material for the festival and will be displayed publicly at The Museum Of Art and History in Jackson, Mississippi (tbc). Tommy Johnson claimed that he sold his soul to a big black man at the crossroads (who people think is the Voodoo god Legba or the devil) in order to play the guitar. It is said to have happened at midnight hence the moonlit look. There are hints of this tale in the painting. He was also said to be quite a nocturnal person which is why I painted it in blue not to mention the fact that he was a Blues singer! There is only one photo of TJ which is very old and worn and made painting him from it quite a challenge! I hope that in some way, I've brought him back to life!
Tommy Johnson's niece Vera who commissioned the piece has now seen it and said "...I have to tell you the portrait is beautiful it look so real. You are a great artist..."
Definitely best viewed large!
Oil on canvas, 2006
www.fionalongart.co.uk