Machete

(2010, Acrylics)

I did a new painting for one of the coolest guys in the film business: Danny Trejo.
After beeing a well known supporting actor for a long time, he finally got the main
role as Machete. When I first saw the trailer for the film, I planned to do a painting
of him, because of his well known grim look in one of the scenes.
Whenever Danny Trejo is in any movie he upgrades the whole film by his
shere presence, so I hoped for a long time that he could have his own film.

When I read that he would be on a convention in Germany, I started the painting
that I already had in mind right away and had very little time for it. Some details
could have been done better, but all in all I am happy with it and drove one hour
through pouring rain to the convention.

I first showed the image to Danny Trejo at the photo shooting and he really liked it.
As he was very busy there, I told him that I would drop by later to give him a print.

Later I went to the signing tables and when I showed him the painting again
he had a little more time to study the painting.
He told me that I caught his sensitive side in the painting. ;-)

Before I could say hello to him, special effects and makeup legend Tom Savini
(also actor in Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn and other films) saw my painting
and wanted to take a closer look at it. He even called for Tito Larriva (actor
and main man of the rockband Tito & Tarantula) who sat near him to show
him the picture and both guys really liked the art.
Of course I felt very honored to get their attention and I would have done
more artwork if I had the time for it, but in only 4 days before the convention
I could do only one single painting. At least if it should turn out to be good.
And I guess it is, because even Danny's assistant asked me for a copy of the
painting right away and an independent film producer asked me for a possible
collaboration.

Later I talked to Tito Larriva and he was one of the nicest guys around.
He also wrote the main theme of the movie Machete, and I bought his new
CD and heard it on the way home in my car while driving through pouring
rain again. Really very rainy day, that day...