How's That Sam? 2006

This painting by Tom Hilborn is called “How’s That Sam? (Bill Riley with Abysal Fish)” painted in 2006.

Tom has told me that this painting represents Bill Riley‘s soliciting a response from Sam Phillips (the American record producer) having just recorded “Flyin’ Saucer Rock ‘n Roll” which was Bill Riley’s biggest hit.  Riley recorded this song with his band, The Little Green Men at Sun Records in 1957.

This painting is framed, painted in acrylic paint on fiber board. It is available for sale on our buy art page.

What’s the abysal fish doing in the painting, I asked Tom.  Tom uses this image of the abysal fish which lives in the depths and darkness of the oceans, as a suggestion of hydrostatic (water) pressure of 2000 metric tons.  If you want to know more, he says, just call Tom.

Tom Hilborn will be exhibiting new paintings under the umbrella group Art Fusion at Il Tenore September 25 and 26, 2010.

Tom Hilborn at Art Fusion Fest

Art Fusion, run by Ryan Mahy, regularly brings together artists and musicians to “show their stuff” at Il Tenore.

Tom is also an accomplished musician, in case you didn’t know.  He has belonged to two groups, Osterborg and the Black Holes, a rockabilly band.

Since 1994, he has been a member of the Black Holes.  He plays guitar, but he doesn’t sing.  He joined Osterborg in 2007.  Both bands will be appearing on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of September.  On Saturday night, he will be playing with Osterborg at Il Tenore.  On Sunday, he will be appearing with the Black Holes at Il Tenore, out back.  Something you shouldn’t miss if you want to see and hear another side of Tom’s persona.

In the meantime, Tom is currently working on paintings to be exhibited at Il Tenore.

What he’s been up to lately?  Tom’s been working on the under paintings of his newest works of art.  He been painting in a studio in a historical building called the Old York Hotel on York Street in London, Ontario, Canada,  where he rents a studio there.

With the under paintings, it’s a combination of drawing and building up a kind of sculpture on the canvas with modeling clay over the drawings.  In the third and final stage, Tom paints in a kind of expressionistic manner, no longer adhering to his early Renaissance style methods.  He says, it sets the ground work up for his final paintings.  Tom is evolving and moving forward with his art.

We can’t wait to see what Tom Hilborn’s been up to lately with his art, paintings and music.

Rock 'n Roll Trio

Painting by Canadian artist, Tom Hilborn, entitled “Rock ‘n Roll Trio.”

Acrylic on masonite board, from the Saints and Hards collection.

This abstract painting is of three rockabilly musicians.

Ray Smith No. 17

This is one of the many paintings by Canadian artist Tom Hilborn of the American Rockabilly singer, Ray Smith, titled Ray Smith No. 17.

Acrylic paint on masonite board.

From the Saints & Hards Collection.  This guy, Ray Smith, was what Tom would classify as one of “the Hards.”

His most famous hit song was “Rockin’ Little Angel” in 1960.  He was born on October 30, 1934 and died  November 29, 1979.  He was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley.

Portrait of Ray Smith

Portrait of Ray Smith by Tom Hilborn.

Acrylic on board.

Ray Smith and the Country Boys, of rockabilly fame.  From the Saints & Hards collection.

Portrait of Teddy Lewis

This painting by Tom Hilborn is of the American musician Ted Lewis,  or Theodore Leopold Friedman, born June 6, 1892 and died in August 25, 1971.

As well as a musician, he was a bandleader, entertainer, and  singer.  He was also known as “Mr. Entertainment”.  As a bandleader he led a band which was a favorite with the American public, performing jazz, comedy.  He was one of the first musicians in the north to begin imitating New Orleans jazz in the early 20th century.  He was most famous for the song “Me and My Shadow.”

This painting of Ted Lewis is from the Saints & Hards collection by Tom Hilborn.

Jerry Reed & The Red Tailed Hawk

Tom Hilborn’s painting of Jerry Reed and the Red Tailed Hawk.

Jerry Reed was an American country singer, song writer and actor.  Born in 1937 and died in Nashville, Tennessee in  2008.  He also acted in about a dozen films.  His first official country hit was “Guitar Man” in 1967.

You can see another painting by Tom of Jerry Reed here.  If you want to see a larger image of Jerry Reed & the Red Tailed Hawk, just click on the image above.