ROCK STAR, ARTIST MICHAEL CARTELLONE TO APPEAR IN BETHESDA THIS SATURDAY (PHOTOS)

Michael Cartellone is not your typical celebrity artist. The famed drummer of rock supergroup Damn Yankees, and the man on the throne for Lynyrd Skynyrd since the late 90s, Cartellone hasn't picked up the paintbrushes as a late career change. Art has always been as much of a creative outlet as music has been, Cartellone said at a VIP reception at Wentworth Gallery, in Westfield Montgomery Mall Wednesday.

Cartellone, and a large collection of his art pieces, will make an appearance at Wentworth in Bethesda this Saturday, May 17, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The gallery is located just outside of Nordstrom on the mall's upper level. Hint: park on Level 3 of the garage outside of Nordstrom. If you are coming from outside of the area, the mall is right off of I-270 at Democracy Boulevard.

I think you'll be impressed by Cartellone's range as a painter. His works span from modern pieces with the wit and commentary of two of my favorites, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, to travelogues of the touring musician, all the way to more classical works, inspired by his travels in Italy. Another painting features three of his heroes - his father, Harry Houdini and Charlie Chaplin - in a photo-realistic scene of 1920s New York City. The attention to detail also rewards the viewer - what's that in John Lennon's eye? The reflection of Yoko Ono. Cartellone recalled a special moment when he presented the original of that piece to Ono.

One detail that caught my attention was the Wise Potato Chips bag in one of a set of scenes Cartellone literally painted while on the road, setting up his canvas in hotel rooms along the way. These were my favorite potato chips as a child, but they are no longer sold in grocery stores around here.

You might not be surprised that some of the pieces draw on his other life as a drummer, but perhaps at the creative ways in which they do so. "Michael's Desk" gives you the view he has from behind his "desk" - the drum kit, in an arena jammed with fans. You'll see that - and an actual snare drum with his image painted on it - right inside the doors of the gallery. A few framed pieces actually come with a pair of autographed drum sticks.

Cartellone had some fascinating details about the specific locations and objects he drew upon in Italy - an arch, a theatrical mask, and Michelangelo's legendary David. The latter inspired an epic 4-painting interpretation that not only references 4 iconic artists, but a specific year within their careers. That full creation is on display at the gallery, as well. There are also more affordably-priced giclées on display. Cartellone makes these stand on their own by adding paint on top of the reproductions. Meaning that your giclée almost becomes a piece separate from the original. The "Wise chip" giclée, for example, ends up with more vibrant roadside woods than the original piece.

It was fantastic to meet Cartellone in person. I'm a huge fan of Damn Yankees, as well as the bands its members started in. A lot of times I'll read an interview with a musician I admire, and they'll trash the record that I thought was fantastic. But Cartellone is still enthusiastic about his days in Damn Yankees, and the albums they recorded. And rightfully so. When I asked if we could take a picture, he suggested taking it in front of his rendering of the Damn Yankees debut album cover - which features the musicians silhouetted in the iconic pose they struck on that multi-platinum disc.

I highly recommend stopping by Saturday, whether you are a fan of his music career, or are just seeking out some highly-creative new art for your wall. Wentworth Gallery also can obtain works by just about any artist you are searching for.

RSVP to the phone number below, and you are all set:

Wentworth Gallery

Westfield Montgomery Mall

Upper level

7101 Democracy Boulevard

(301) 365-3270

With Michael Cartellone (L)

"Michael's Desk"

4 interpretations of Michelangelo's
"David"

His commemoration of the
1990 Damn Yankees album that
made him famous

Explaining the creative process behind
the David project on a video display

Paintings of life on the road,
painted on the road

This reminds me of the roads
in Southern Maryland

My, alas, blurry photo of a painting
of a meeting that could have happened
in the 1920s

Recognize any of these folks?

Inspired by Venice, and a mask...
and completed with help from
his wife as the artist's model -
ask questions, and you'll
find out some fascinating details
about Cartellone's works