14 DAY TRIAL // For many, sexagenarian actor Sylvester Stallone is just the guy who made “Rocky” and “Rambo” and who had his career sprinkled with Razzie Awards, the most shameful distinction ever bestowed upon a thespian. For others, he’s an icon. For a select few, he’s a painter who is now riding the wave of success, after his first exhibit at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, as the Daily Mail informs.
Apparently, the veteran actor has been painting as early as 1977, as a self-portrait dating from back then indicates. “Trapped Ideals” is priced in the $40 - $50,000 range and hopes are high that it will not spend too much time hanging on the wall at the gallery. Other two paintings, one priced $40,000 and the other $50,000, sold within hours of the gallery opening, which can only mean that Sly’s art is appreciated as he would have wanted it to be.
“It was the actor’s first gallery show, and it was his colorful expressionistic paintings which were being exhibited. But judging by the scribbled quality of the work, which includes self portraits […], the 63-year-old may not want to give up his day job just yet. The Hollywood legend held court in front of a number of his paintings which were being shown by Zurich based Gmurzynska Gallery,” the Mail writes of Stallone’s first show ever.
Speaking with the media at the event, the actor admitted to being somewhat nervous at the thought he’d have his works in the same room as those of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose paintings he loves and has been collecting for many years now. As for his most loyal fans and, implicitly, buyers, Sly says he doesn’t have those, since, until now, he’s been in the habit of offering his paintings as gifts to friends and family members.
“He also discussed his work, admitting he was intimidated to exhibit in the same space as his artist heroes like Colombian artist Fernando Botero. His paintings sell for millions and Stallone is a fan of his work. ‘I collected a great deal about 15 years ago and [then] I went through a life change. Now that cycle is coming around again.’ He modestly said: ‘I wouldn’t exactly say I have a following,’ and admitted that he usually gives his paintings as gifts to relatives,” the Mail further says.