'All You Need Is Love' (above) was painted by Paul Stanley of KISS. His work will be for sale tomorrow and Saturday at Wentworth galleries. Tom Jermann View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

>> FROM CONCERTS TO CANVAS, PAUL STANLEY CONTINUES TO SHOW HIS ARTISTIC SIDE STANLEY'S WORK IS SEALED WITH A KISS

KISS guitarist Paul Stanley will make special appearances at two exhibitions of his artwork this weekend

Date published: 6/21/2007

BY EMILY GILMORE

As a member of the wildly popular rock band KISS, Paul Stanley hid his persona under layers of makeup and spandex. But since the spectacularly coifed guitarist began painting, Stanley is opening up through his artwork.

Wentworth Gallery is offering KISS fans and art lovers alike the chance to see Stanley's works during exhibitions tomorrow and Saturday at the gallery's locations in Bethesda, Md., and McLean. Stanley will be present at both events.

"I saw his art and it sort of struck me as being very, very good," Wentworth owner Michael O'Mahony told The Free Lance-Star this week. "Besides the fact that obviously he's a very well-known rock star, his art is good enough to stand on its own."

The 30 to 35 pieces that will be on display include originals, prints and a sort of "embellished" print that Stanley has painted over by hand, O'Mahony said. The works range from $1,500 to $70,000.

Stanley does paint portraits, but his abstracts are what stand out to O'Mahony.

"They're very emotional paintings, so different people see different things in abstracts," he said. "An abstract is sort of a look at the inner soul of the artist."

Time constraints will not allow Stanley to talk with everyone who shows up at the exhibits, but he will be able to chat with those who buy his art, take pictures with them and write personal dedications to go with each piece. KISS fans should leave their band memorabilia at home, O'Mahony said.

"It's a celebration of Paul's artwork more than his music career," he said.

Stanley has always been artistic--he had a role in designing album covers and stage layouts for KISS, for example--but a friend encouraged him to paint as he was going through a divorce several years ago, Stanley told a radio station in Charlotte, N.C., last month. The interview is available on YouTube.

"It's been real interesting, because I came from this background where my art was very detailed and very realistic," Stanley said in the interview, " and I found that this was more about, almost like purging or discovering, you know, what's going on inside me."

Emily Gilmore: 540/374-5426
Email: egilmore@freelancestar.com

What: Exhibition of art by Paul Stanley, who will make a special appearance Where: Wentworth Gallery--White Flint, 11301 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Md. When: Tomorrow, 6-9 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: Call 301/816-7974 to RSVP for the event. Web: wentworthgallery.com, paulstanley.com FYI: Stanley will be able to spend time with those who buy his art, but this is not a meet-and-greet. Leave the KISS memorabilia at home. What: Exhibition of art by Paul Stanley, who will make a special appearance Where: Wentworth Gallery--Tysons Galleria, 1731 M International Drive, McLean When: Saturday, 6-9 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 703/883-0111 Web: wentworthgallery.com, paulstanley.com FYI: Stanley will be able to spend time with those who buy his art, but this is not a meet-and-greet. Leave the KISS memorabilia at home.

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Date published: 6/21/2007