Prince 046

Look closer for four lyrics and six song titles: “I was dreamin’ when I wrote this” (1999); “Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with” (Kiss ); “Dearly beloved we are gathered here” (Let’s Go Crazy); “She walked in through the out door” (Raspberry Beret); Purple Rain; When Doves Cry; Little Red Corvette; Delirious; I Would Die 4 U; Let’s Go Crazy

The story

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actor, and director. He was known for his flamboyant and androgynous persona, eclectic work, and wide vocal range, including far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams. He often played most or all instruments on his recordings.

Prince’s music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip hop. He pioneered the Minneapolis sound, a funk rock subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s. He had a prolific output, releasing 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased projects left in a vault at his home after his death. It is believed that the vault contains dozens of fully produced albums and over 50 music videos that have never been released, along with various other media. He released hundreds of songs both under his own name and multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made famous by other musicians, such as “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “Manic Monday”. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19. Prince went on to achieve critical success with the innovative albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his backup band the Revolution, and was the soundtrack to his film acting debut of the same name. Purple Rain spent six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200. Prince won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince went on to achieve continued critical success with Sign o’ the Times (1987). In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol (known to fans as the “Love Symbol”), and was sometimes referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince or TAFKAP, or simply the Artist.

He signed with Arista Records in 1998 and began referring to himself by his own name again in 2000. After returning to mainstream prominence following a performance at the Grammy Awards ceremony in 2004, he scored six US top ten albums over the following decade.

In mid-life, Prince reportedly experienced considerable pain from injuries to his body (mainly hips) sustained through his dynamic stage performances (which included leaping off speaker stacks in high heels). He was sometimes seen using a cane. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince sold over 150 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President’s Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016.                                                                

-credit Wikipedia

The Prince Estate passionately presents Prince’s life and work, and cultivates opportunities to further his legacy. We aim to immerse fans, old and new, in Prince’s story, explore the role of Prince and his work in today’s cultural landscape, and safeguard the integrity of Prince’s artistic vision. 

As the singular authoritative source on all things Prince, The Prince Estate will inspire and educate fans, celebrate Prince in his totality, and steward Prince’s legacy into the future.                                                                                                                          

-credit prince.com

It is my sincere hope that in some small way, this illustration, and the resulting inspiration to viewers, will prompt a deep love for people, an energetic strife for excellence, and a flamboyant open-minded creativity.   

                                                              -credit lookcloserillustrations.com

Digital Print on Archival Matte – Original illustration done in graphite and the following Prisma Colors: Violet for “An ocean of violets in bloom” (When Doves Cry);Blue Violet and Parma Violet for two references – “The sky was all purple. . . “(1999), “Let’s look for the purple banana” (Let’s Go Crazy); Crimson Red for Little Red Corvette; Chartreuse because it is an androgynous color; and True Blue for the induction into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

Artist: Tobin Bortner of Bastrop, Texas – drawing done in August of 2021 – ©Tobin Signs/Look Closer Illustrations 
DERIVATIVE Work – photo sources: face from “ibtimes_com – gettyimages-52461875”; Microphone from “nytimes_com – 22TRENDING-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600”; Guitar and hand to the ear from “cheatsheet_com – guitar-princegv”

What you get:
$40 (36.95 + 3.05 tax)
11 x 14 Print Package with Authenticity Sheet
signed and numbered (run of 80)
Domestic Priority Mail (included)