Story

I completed this painting during early November just in time for the bands upcoming show at a Sydney stadium. A week earlier I had been waiting outside a Sydney hotel waiting to get a painting signed by U2, whilst I had been waiting for U2 a tour bus pulled up and within a few minutes to my surprise, Eddie Vedder walked out of the hotel entry to board the bus ! I couldn’t believe it, sitting at home was my half complete portrait of Pearl Jam, I was planning to try to catch up with the band during the following week upon their return to do an extra sold out show, I remember wishing I had it ready and with me on this day !

However, destiny really did prevail, I scrambled around in my bag looking to see if I had anything I could get signed. I found in my bag a Pearl Jam CD and even better, a letter I had drafted out for the band with an attached photograph of my half completed painting of the band. As Eddie approached the bus, a couple of fans asked if he could sign some CD’s, he stopped and kindly began signing autographs. I held out my CD and as he signed it he noticed my painting of U2 commenting on how, “inspiring” it was. I told him I hadn’t expected to see him and that I was also working on a painting of his band, giving him my letter and photograph, I told him I was going to wait outside the stadium where they would be performing the following week with a completed painting and hoped that he would stop for me for just a few minutes to sign my work to which he said he would.

Sure enough the following week, I waited and waited in the blistering sun with no shade for protection for seven hours ! Eventually a small amount of fans had gathered as Eddie Vedder finally came towards the stadium in a mini van. I held up my painting and noticed Eddie inside looking directly at me. The van stopped and Eddie stepped out, he said he had read my letter and complimented on my work, even asking me where I would like him to sign so as to not ruin the portrait. He was so kind and thoughtful, I said he could sign anywhere he liked, and he commented as he wrote, “I think I’ll do it just nice and small here”. He shook my hand and I thanked him, asking if I could get a photograph with him knowing from good advice and past experiences that he is reluctant to pose. True to form, he smiled saying words to the effect of, “ you know I really don’t have time”, which I accepted and told him that’s fine, he signed a few other fans CD’s then continued his way into the stadium.

The rest of the band turned up with just minutes to go before they were due on stage, I held the painting out each time trying to get them to stop, but clearly I could see their apologetic faces as we all knew there was no time left for them to meet fans.

Hopefully the next time Pearl Jam pass through I can once again try my luck and complete the painting.