British artist Ben Riley creates original mixed media pop-figurative artworks inspired by music icons, capturing the soul of his subject with vinyl records on canvas. Appealing to the eye, the ear, and the touch, his vinyl portraits, broken down to fragments and dust, allow viewers to feel and visualize the vitality of pressed music which has been lost in the digital age. His paintings trigger memories and emotions about the music that inspires daily life.

This one-of-a-kind 32 inch square artwork is a mixed media composition on canvas depicting music icon John Lennon. This portrait is made from fragments of vinyl records sourced from charity shops. The background is painted with acrylic in white. Ben Riley has signed this work with a red wax seal on the bottom right corner of the canvas. It is wired and ready to hang. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and worldwide shipping is available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included.

Music played a significant role in Riley's journey to becoming a professional artist. Previously vinyl records had one of two destinies: the charity shop box in the corner of the room, or the rubbish pile. Ben Riley’s art is warm, rugged, and elegantly simple like the vinyl he re-purposes to create portraits imbued with the history and liveliness of music. Icons of music are recreated quite literally from the music form that made them. Each piece of vinyl is emotionally charged, some reflective, dazzling in different angles and lights, some reserved and soft. Each portrait enraptures a nostalgic moment in time. According to Riley, vinyl is the only medium which allows his portraits to sing.

Since 2002, Riley's one-of-a-kind artworks have been gaining notoriety in the capture of mood, soul, and character of a subject. Riley’s works have been collected internationally by celebrity and notable collectors and featured in media, television, and press worldwide.