Elvis Aaron Presley is an iconic figure. In 2007 it was the 30th Anniversary of Elvis Death; Memphis was inundated with over 75,000 visitors who came to pay their respects at Graceland.

My family decided on a whim to have the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll Tour” (don’t look for that in any guide book we just made it up and went ) We finished up our Tour in Memphis and like all the other pilgrims ended up taking the tour of Graceland.

The inspiration for this painting and for the Elvis Challenge came from the 30th anniversary of his death, and from the trip my family took. I wanted the style of this painting to mimic the feeling of delta art. The primitive “less is not more” technique that is so unique to the Southern artist. Hot colours and vivid lines along with the gilded gold of the faux frame helped me recreate that sultry feeling.