ASHTABULA — An Ashtabula artist's fanciful guitar hit the right notes with a committee aiming to promote Cleveland's musical legacy.
Chris Raab is one of only 50 artists invited to participate in Cleveland Rocks, a community arts project that transformed Epiphone Les Paul guitars into a treat for the eye as well as the ear. The guitars, now on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Cleveland's waterfront, will be sold at auction to raise money for the rock hall and two other non-profit organizations: The Greater Cleveland Film Commission and the Cleveland Music School Settlement.
"It was an honor (to be included)," said Raab, 28, a self-taught artist. "I was a little intimidated. I was going up against people educated in art and color theory."
Raab's participation in Cleveland Rocks was a whirlwind affair that consumed much of his October. He learned of the project just a few days before the application deadline. In just two days Raab had to prepare and submit a preliminary sketch, application and biography.
Once the guitar was in Raab’s studio, he spent 2 1/2 weeks in October transforming, the musical instrument to an instrument of his imagination. The design that intrigued the project screening committee featured a lotus in a pond on the front and a hand holding an African tree on the back.
"I wanted to keep it earthy," he said.
Symbolism factors heavily into Raab's art, he said, and the guitar project was no exception. The lotus, for example, was selected because it can produce beauty while essentially growing out of muck, he said.
"A lot of what I paint revolves around symbolism," he said.
Using an electric guitar as a canvas posed its own challenges, Raab said. "It was the first guitar I've ever painted," he said, laughing.
Many of the chrome pieces were removed and then the entire instrument was sanded and primed. Some of the design work was done free-hand, Raab said.
"It was a smooth surface," he said. "No texture. That was different."
The hardest part was waiting for the various applications of color to dry before adding more.
"I wanted to keep painting," he said. "I had to learn to be patient."
The work was completed at the start of November and the guitar was delivered to Cleveland last week. Raab is among the second wave of artists involved in the project. The first tier put their playable guitars on display at the Rock Hall in October. Raab's creation, along with 24 others, will showcase their work in the Hall's lobby this month through Dec. 3, he said.
Raab will attend a reception at the Rock Hall next month. When the instruments are put on the auction block and sold for charity, will Raab be tempted to place a bid on his creation?
Not likely, he said with a laugh. "I'm a starving artist."
Raab said his art style is a blend of contemporary and pop art. "Somewhere between a comic book and graffiti," he said.
While Raab enjoys a range of media, including sculpture, he is drawn to pen/ink and acrylics, he said. His subjects are just as varied, he said.
"Flowers, trees — more vision-based things," Raab said. "I love to be open-minded. I know what I like and don't like. I love to get a reaction."
A former tattooist, Raab migrated to Ashtabula from Lake County about four years ago. The city and Ashtabula County provides a wealth of inspiration, he said.
"It's definitely awe-inspiring," Raab said. "In the city you have industry, then just 10 miles away are farm houses, covered bridges and ponds."
Raab, who has displayed his art at local galleries, hopes his participation in Cleveland Rocks opens some doors — and eyes. Regardless of the venue or the project, his work will continue to flow.
"Art is my life," he said.
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ASHTABULA MAN HAS GUITAR HE TRANSFORMED INTO ART ON DISPLAY AT ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
Chris Raab
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