Press Release
Source: PRS Guitars
As an internationally recognized artist whose intricate drawings can be found in art galleries, corporate and private collections, Joe Fenton is represented internationally by Gallery House. Fenton works in monochrome using graphite, ink and acrylics on paper.
When Mark Tremonti, PRS signature artist and world-acclaimed heavy metal guitarist of Alter Bridge and Creed, approached Joe and commissioned the artist to decorate his first-ever guitar, the result was a one-of-a-kind PRS guitar masterpiece that looks as badass as it sounds.
It took Fenton approximately three months to create the intricate detailed artwork that adorns nearly every inch of the guitar’s body and neck.
When asked about his first ever guitar project, Joe replied, “I was quite nervous before embarking on the project as it forced me out of my comfort zone. I had to work in a different way from what I was used to. PRS also created a custom-cut Tremonti guitar with less plates on the back so as not to obstruct the artwork as much, which was great.”
Fenton created the original artwork with input from Mark Tremonti. He described the design process as, “When Mark and I met he had some strong ideas in terms of what he wanted. We discussed such artworks like “The garden of earthly delights,” a triptych painted by the early Netherlandish master Hieronymus Bosch. The triptych shows the warnings and perils of life’s temptation, depicted by images of heaven and hell. Mark wanted the guitar covered in artwork with this subject matter.” He continued, “I showed Mark the designs before I did any artwork on the actual guitar. The back and neck design, which depicts the lighter side was easier to come up with. My first attempt for the front wasn’t quite right. I held back on the level of detail I put into it and did a much bolder design. Mark basically wanted me to cram in as much detail as I could. I redesigned it and eventually came up with imagery you see now.”
The artist captured the process in a fascinating eight minute long time-elapsed video that features Alter Bridge’s “Blackbird” playing in the background.
The guitar was then shipped back to PRS Guitars were several coats of acrylic were meticulously applied over the artwork. Then the electronics and hardware were installed by the PRS Private Stock team of luthiers headed by PRS Guitars’ working founder Paul Reed Smith and Private Stock Director Paul Miles.
The project came full circle when PRS Artist Relations team member Rich Hannon presented the finished guitar to Mark Tremonti backstage at the Rock on the Range festival where Mark’s band Alter Bridge was headlining.
After the presentation, Tremonti brought the guitar on stage and performed a blistering solo on it during the band’s performance of “Addicted To Pain.” Afterward Mark commented, “I am just blown away by this beautiful guitar! Joe Fenton knocked it out of the park and PRS more than delivered with this one. I can’t wait to spend many more hours playing with this masterpiece.
Photos of the guitar, Joe Fenton and Mark Tremonti are available at the following link: http://prsguitars.com/media/tremonti_fenton/
The eight minute time elapsed video of the guitar’s artwork is available for viewing at: http://youtu.be/f4ISS2YkweE
A five question interview with the artist Joe Fenton about the guitar is available, please email pr@prsguitars.com with your request.
About PRS Guitars:
Paul Reed Smith Guitars is a leading manufacturer of quality instruments in Stevensville, Maryland. Since 1985, the PRS team of highly skilled craftspeople has designed and built a wide variety of musical instruments and gear for worldwide distribution, including electric, acoustic, and bass guitars as well as boutique-inspired guitar amplifiers. The PRS SE line of products complements the Maryland-made PRS line by offering highly approachable and more affordable electric and acoustic guitars. Zach Myers of Shinedown, Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge, Dustie Waring of Between the Buried and Me, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Fredrik Åkesson and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth, Marty Friedman, Orianthi, Neal Schon, and Carlos Santana are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.
PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com
About Mark Tremonti:
Grammy award winning Mark Tremonti has been a PRS Signature artist and advocate for more than 15 years. Not surprisingly, he recorded most of his guitar tracks for his albums, including the most recent Alter Bridge album FORTRESS, using his signature model PRS and PRS SE Mark Tremonti guitars. Tremonti enjoys several impressive distinctions in PRS guitar history. He was the first artist to develop a single-cutaway signature model and is one of only three artists to have both an American-made PRS signature model and an SE signature model (along with Carlos Santana and Dave Navarro). Tremonti now is enjoying a new impressive distinction with this PRS/Joe Fenton original.
About Joe Fenton:
Joe Fenton’s art work embraces the grotesque by his employment of Hieronymus Bosch-like figures that are gangly, writhing and cramped. He uses motifs that suggest Eastern philosophy and Middle Eastern architecture while maintaining a feel for European Baroque and Rococo with complex frame ornamentation and plant-like details. A common theme in all his works is that of death and the fear of death through the fanciful and even freakish nature of his images.
About Gallery House:
Gallery House is a full service enterprise catered to senior and established artists to grow and foster their works. The physical site is a 2000 square foot of exhibition space. Gallery House operates primarily as a management site as well as a commercial gallery open to the public. Though works are on site and rotate regularly and there are only 2-3 receptions a year. Gallery House manages artists by deliberately partnering with commercial galleries and institutions. Gallery House has garnered attention from some of the top institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Bristol Arts Museum United Kingdom and numerous partnered galleries in over 8 countries and growing. Gallery House artists include Ray Caesar, André Fauteux, Joe Fenton, Gottfried Helnwein, Stephen Ibbott, Anita Kunz, Brian Richer and Carol Sutton.
