The great aspect about my shows, which few (if any!) other entertainment shows can replicate, is something tangible is produced from the performance. Something of value.
During the past year, I’ve been donating and encouraging all my corporate clients to auction off my artwork for charity where it is appropriate. It feels great to entertain an audience and also make money for some special causes.
Which is why I was delighted last week at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, where a corporate client auctioned off some of the paintings from the show and raised $14,000. It is certainly not the most we’ve raised from my paintings, but this was a corporate show (not a fundraiser), so to come away with such a good result was fantastic.
Whist in the USA at the Dermatology Convention, I was asked to whip up a speed painting of Einstein.
With only a couple of days before I jumped on the plane I only had a couple of attempts and it seemed relatively easy - get it “relatively”.
Anyway, I think this speed painting is now finally mastered and I am happy with it (it takes me a while - I am a perfectionist when it comes to my job). I performed it in the US and have also painted it here in Australia.
Painted 90% upside down in about 3 minutes, the audience just has no idea who it is until you start with the white parts (moustache and beard). I really like involving the audience on this one - it’s almost like a magic trick.. I hold out and hold out, then spin the canvas and bam! It sure keeps them guessing.
Here is Einstein from a gig in Sydney the other night. The eyes are painted with my index finger.
In November 2008 I performed at Jupiters Casino at a Leighton Gala Dinner - where the theme was Bond, James Bond. At the function I met a talented impersonator, Chris De Havilland. He made a fantastic MC as Sean Connery. He is now working on a Kevin Rudd impersonation.
I did a bit of a google search and found only one other Kevin Rudd impersonation that I liked and that was from Grant Galea. Back in Feb 2007 when I went down to Melbourne for Australia’s Got Talent, Grant was one of the other contestants. He is a top bloke and his impersonation of Kevin Rudd is brilliant (see You Tube video 2 1/2 mins in).
I distinctly remember being in the change rooms and Grant was outside “warming up”. He reinacted a scene between Rocky, Adrianne Apollo Creed and Mr T (from the movie Rocky 2). I coughed so hard with laughter my stomach was sore…
