Tom Petty - 24”x36” acrylic on canvas - it took me a while to finish this. When he died, I saw so many artists honoring him with murals, paintings and illustrations. Living in Gainesville means that the spirit of Petty looms large. There are at least three beautiful murals around town, one at the Sidney Lanier Center off 16th, one on the side of Import Sales and Service on the corner Southeast 16th Avenue and South Main Street, one at Heartwood Studio on Main Street, and a dedication on the 34th street wall.
I wanted to add my own tribute to these, but had not been able to sort out my feelings about his passing enough to put brush to canvas. When I separate the feeing of loss that has everything to do with the passing of youth and the inevitable marching forward of time that I feel ticking in my own brain and little to do with the man himself, I’m left with a deep appreciation of how his music contributed to my adolescence and an equally deep respect of a man who did what he loved and, in doing so, gave music to a generation...or two.
​Rest In Peace Mr. Petty.