European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 02, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                John Mellencamp heartland in Canvas by Beth Harris associated press Singer John Mellencamp Sart is populated with characters from America s heartland. But these Days those characters Are More Likely to be found in Oil paintings than on the radio. For Mellencamp painting has provided a respite from the pressures of Rock a no Roll and the recent collapse of his second marriage. His second exhibit of Oil paintings opened last month at the Churchman Fehsenfeld gallery of the Indianapolis Art league. Mellencamp first displayed his work last year at an exhibit with jazz artist Miles Davis in los Angeles. The 29 portraits depict the Singer songwriters family and friends. The facial expressions created by his muted Brush strokes Are always sad and they convey the same disillusionment found in his musical anthems about the nation s heartland and the farm crisis. A i think you can say much More in a painting than you can in a stupid song a Mellencamp said in an interview with rolling Stone Magazine last year. Quot some Days i Start at seven o clock in the morning and i paint until five eat dinner and come Back and paint till Midnight. I Don t have to see anybody. I done to have to talk to anybody. It s better than sex for  however Mellencamp a wealth hardly fits the stereotype of a struggling artist. His albums have sold millions he records in his own studio and he could afford to spend much of last year in an Art studio he had built next to his Home near Bloomington ind. He and his wife Vicky Are in the Middle of a divorce. They Are the parents of Teddi Joe 8, and Justice 4, who Are living with their Mother. Mellencamp s manager Harry Sandler said the Singer did not want to be interviewed about his venture into the Art world. Quot John wants to let the paintings stand on their own Quot Sandler said. A the just chooses not to speak at this  Mellencamp has not hinted that his music career is Over but it has certainly taken an extended vacation. His growing discontent with pop stardom surfaced in his last album big daddy Quot never wanted to be no pop Singer never wanted to write no pop songs Quot goes the bitter refrain of the hit single pop Singer which offers Mellencamp s cynical View of today a music scene. He refused to tour in support of big daddy and his Only stage appearance in recent months came at the farm Aid in concert in Indianapolis March 7. The rousing ovation he received and his energetic three song performance were far removed from the Solitude of a Blank Canvas. Mellencamp organized the first farm Aid in 1984 with Willie Nelson As a Benefit for struggling Farmers. Those who have worked with Mellencamp say he is serious about painting and that it is not merely a Hobby. Jan Royce travelled to Mellencamp a studio several times last summer to help him learn Oil techniques. Quot he a very Bright very eager to learn very driven Quot said Royce a portrait Painter from Indianapolis. Quot he paints from the heart just As his music is from the  Royce said the immediacy of creating a painting appeals to Mellencamp a impatient nature. Quot he works very fast and tries to capture what he a feeling immediately Quot said Julia l. Muney exhibits curator at the Art league. By displaying his paintings to the Public and critics Muney said Mellencamp wanted Quot some validation for himself. He wants the Public to confirm am i going in the right direction a Quot at least some buyers think so. Three of his self portraits ranging in Price from $2,000 to $6,000, were sold before the show opened Muney said. Reaction to the show was enthusiastic among 450 guests invited to a pre opening party attended by Mellencamp Muney said. Quot they liked the work a lot. They might have been sceptical but they Are no longer Quot Muney said. Quot i was expecting things to look a Little More Folksy. I was surprised at the expert Ness of the paint-handling.1 in yet another Paradox Mellencamp chose to personally oversee All aspects of the Indianapolis showing. Muney said he helped set up the exhibit fussed Over the titles of each painting and wired the frames himself in preparation for hanging. Quot hell deprecate his paintings. Its very strange because he s serious about painting but after a while he won t be satisfied with the results. Quot we were looking at some of these paintings and he told me this is Crummy but you can hang it anyway a Quot Muney said gesturing toward the exhibit. Mellencamp insisted on removing two paintings from the exhibit because he was t satisfied with them Muney said. He May not want to discuss his paintings but the prices on his works speak volumes. His two least expensive works Are a self portrait and another titled Quot big a Quot showing his daughter Justice in a Pink dress. Both sell for $2,000. Three paintings Are priced at $15,000. They Are among the largest works in the exhibit measuring roughly 72 inches Long by 48 inches wide. His first wife Priscilla is the subject of Quot cil Quot which shows her wearing 50s-style glasses and Large earrings. In Quot the Beach or the bar Quot said to be Mellencamp s favorite he portrays seven people gathered around an outdoor bar. At his showing last fall in los Angeles the painting carried a $25,500 Price tag. In Indianapolis it s practically a steal at $12,000. Quot paintings Cost More in l a. He adjusted his prices Down for the midwestern Market Quot Muney said. Muney said Mellencamp asked her if his prices were too High. Quot Given his name and what he a putting into them frankly i said no Quot she said. But Muney admits few artists who have been painting for less than two years can tag such elaborate prices on their works. Quot yes they re paying for the name Quot she said of potential Mellencamp collectors. Stars and stripes bookstores stars and stripes bookstores a$10 super Saver discount i the living world is a stars and stripes super Saver selection for May. You la save $10 off the original cover Price of $29.95 for this superbly illustrated account with More than 1,100 color photographs of the Earth s eleven major habitats and their characteristic animals climate and vegetation. The discounted Price for the living world is Only $19.95 at a stars and stripes shopping Center Bookstore near you. And you can save 25% off or More on other super Saver selections for the month of May. These include books on microwave cooking a chronicle of the 20th Century a world Atlas of warfare world mythology classic children s games learning to speak German with cassettes and More. Stop in and save with a super Saver today you la find stars and stripes bookstores Well stocked with numerous paperbacks magazines and hardcover titles All discounted for you. Customer savings already total More than $900,000 in fiscal 1990. Stars and stripes bookstores a serving those serving Over Here. If a super Saver you desire is sold out ask the attendant about our Book special order request program it it z o it h 5 "0 m Cut cd o o o 3 it it stars and stripes bookstores stars and stripes bookstores wednesday May 2, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17