Back in April 2019, I painted what would become the very first piece in my collection. At the time, it was never intended to be anything more than a fun creative project for my bedroom wall.
I was living in Singapore and had found myself back in the UK for a few weeks while waiting for a visa application to be processed. With some unexpected free time on my hands, I decided to experiment with a new painting idea that had been forming in my head.
That idea was simple: What would happen if I combined Jackson Pollock’s famous “action painting” technique with the outline of a pop art portrait? For my subject, I chose one of my favourite bands of all time – The Beatles.
Watch my video to hear me talk about the inspiration and story behind this piece, along with some behind-the-scenes photos of it being created.
This was the first time I had ever attempted anything like it. In the years previously I’d discovered Jackson Pollock’s expressive action painting technique – via The Stone Roses – and had done some abstract ‘action painting’ pieces for fun. But I figured there was nothing really actually unique in me imitating this style – anyone can essentially throw paint at a blank canvas.
Therefore, I had the idea to combine and contain this technique within the outlines of a portrait, so only part of the canvas would be covered by the paint splashes. I basically had the idea to fuse two different styles of art, which I’d never seen done before.
I figured a process whereby I could make this effect happen. I started by drawing the portrait outline in pencil directly onto the canvas before painting the first block colour layer. The background was then carefully masked off with tape before I began building up layer after layer of acrylic paint.
Rather than using traditional brushwork, I threw and splattered the paint across the canvas, gradually developing the image through multiple layers and colour combinations.
One of the most important parts of the process was balancing the colours so that they felt energetic without becoming overwhelming.
The final piece combined warm browns, beiges, maroons and oranges with softer pastel tones in the background, creating a colour palette that complemented the wooden features and décor of my home at the time.
After all the paint layers had been applied, the masking tape was removed and the background painted to complete the piece.
When the painting was finished, I immediately knew I had stumbled onto something special. The combination of portraiture, pop culture and action painting created a result that felt completely different to anything I had done, or seen, before.
What began as a one-off experiment quickly led to another painting, then another, and eventually the development of what has become my signature painting style. Having started with The Beatles, I continued with the music theme by painting some of my other favourite music stars.
Looking back now, this piece represents the starting point of everything that followed – my collection of original paintings, my online shop, my exhibitions and the wider By Kerwin brand. It also helped that I was working in an e-commerce start-up at the time in Singapore – and I was learning about how to build an online consumer business, as well as picking up technical points about how to launch and grow and e-commerce site.
It’s strange to think that something originally created simply for a bedroom wall would eventually grow into an entire creative business. It was a lesson in the law of serendipity.
The original Beatles painting remains the largest artwork in my collection, measuring an impressive 100cm x 150cm.
Its scale helps amplify the movement and energy created by the layers of acrylic paint and makes it one of the most striking pieces I’ve ever produced.
More importantly, it will always hold a special place in my collection because it was the artwork that started the journey.
The painting didn’t just introduce a new technique. It gave birth to an entirely new style of painting.
Canvas prints of my Beatles painting are available in a range of sizes from my online shop, where you can also explore close-up photos of the finished piece, view additional painting videos and browse the rest of my collection.
I’d love to know what you think of the piece that started it all!
My full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired acrylic pop art paintings can be viewed at bykerwin.com – the originals and prints of these are available to purchase, with worldwide delivery. You can also follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.
