PAINT ‘n’ roll

Has she changed?

It’s a question worth asking when the lead singer of a prominent

1960s band -- now in o7herf7 60s -- turns toward a career in the

visual arts.

Grace Slick, formerly of Jefferson Airplane -- a group synonymous

with the counterculture movement and hits like “Somebody to Love” and

“White Rabbit” -- doesn’t appear to have lost her edge.

“I’m busy communicating ideas,” Slick said of her artwork. “I want

you to know what I’m thinking. If you feel a connection, good. If you

don’t, fine.”

For those curious about Slick’s message, 60 of her paintings,

drawings and etchings will be on display Saturday at Wentworth

Gallery in Newport Beach. The three-hour event is free and will

feature an appearance by the artist.

It’s inevitable that during the meet-and-greet session, a

Jefferson Airplane fan will approach Slick and request her signature

on a record.

It happens almost every time. Slick understands. At one point, she

would have been flattered. But now, she firmly suggests the person

seek her autograph on a piece of art.

That doesn’t mean Slick has put her music career entirely out of

mind.

“I realize I have no way out,” she said. “People often try to

distance themselves from something, but it’s a futile effort. I may

as well go with it.”

Michael O’Mahoney, president and chief executive of Wentworth

Gallery, said Slick is a true artist, not a celebrity merely out for

more publicity.

“There are a lot of big-name people in other areas who paint and

aren’t quite as talented,” O’Mahoney said. “Her work is good enough

to stand on its own. The fact that she’s a famous songstress is a

plus.”

Slick began painting well before her music career took form. But

she said she was too preoccupied with her band, which was inaugurated

into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, to produce any

meaningful artwork.

When Slick retired from singing in the late 1980s, she took a shot

at a research career before becoming a professional artist around

1997.

She began by painting what she new best: musical subjects. Her

portraits include Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger and Jim

Morrison. The pictures are filled with thick lines, well-defined

shapes and vibrant colors.

Slick was even asked by her manager to paint a self-portrait.

“That bored me,” she said. “I already know what I look like.”

Slick is forthcoming about the realities of being an artist: Much

of what is produced is done to make money. She is commissioned to do

paintings of prominent subjects and said she doesn’t rule anything

out.

Some of Slick’s originals have sold for upwards of $25,000. One

print, showing Alice, the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat from

“Alice in Wonderland,” is a popular item at shows, she said.

“Almost anything inspires me,” she said. “I see something in the

back of an advertisement or while I’m on the street, and I get to

it.”

Slick said the transition from being on stage with thousands of

people to being alone in her home studio has been an easy one.

And she said there is no difference between her rock ‘n’ roll

persona and her painting persona.

“The same person is coming through in a different medium,” Slick

said. “My art is simple, direct and definite.”

Slick said she would like to take on political topics, but hasn’t

found a viable way to display her dismay with the current

administration in one painting.

O’Mahoney said Slick’s artwork transcends generations and reminds

audiences of the connection between art and music.

“She is whimsical and fun, and it comes through in her work,” he

said. “The art reflects different stages of her life.”

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Grace Slick art exhibition

* WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Wentworth Gallery, 271 Newport Center Drive, Newport

Beach

* COST: Free

* CONTACT: (949) 760-9554