After exhibiting Daniel Johnston, Bob Schneider, Terry Allen, and having discussions with Derek Boshier about the early British Pop scene in the 60’s, I came to the realization that many of our great musicians were also visual artists.  David Bowie, John Lennon, members of the “Who”, “Clash”, “Rolling Stones” and so on.  Imagine my surprise when I arrived at Joe Ely’s studio in Austin. His art studio is a large as his recording studio.

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This exhibition, which was suggested by Melissa Nobel, includes drawings, collage, prints, and paintings over a long span of time.  Joe Ely’s new show “Carbon, Ink and Asphalt” at Redbud Gallery brings into focus 50 years of drawings from the road. Selected drawings span from 1969-2019.

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Joe Ely is a Texas artist, poet, singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music touches on honky-tonk, Texas country, Tex-Mex and rock and roll.  He has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Uncle Tupelo, Los Super Seven, the Chieftains and James McMurtry in addition to early work with the Clash and more recent tours with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.

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As Joe writes...
“And that’s the way it is with Dreamers
They feel the Doom but stay one Storm ahead
If a man knows not his next destination
Then any road he takes will get him there on time”

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- Gus Kopriva