Our friend Karen Cannon has unveiled a new painting in her collection of bluegrass-themed art. Entitled No Respect, it captures a feeling that may be familiar to a good many banjo players out there, treed by a bunch of rowdy critics.

The original was done as a pastel on canvas, and mounted prints are available from her web site.

Karen shared a few words about how she created this image…

“Following my mentor Norman Rockwell’s footsteps, I prefer to work with live models. My model for this piece is Ron Lynam, who was the banjo player in the popular Front Range Bluegrass band from Ft Collins, CO.

Ron was a perfect model… He hillbillied up his costume and even brought the correct type of banjo. We allowed him to use a ladder to climb the tree and then handed up his banjo. So I hope we won’t get busted by the Banjo Humane Society!

The ancient cottonwood tree is in a public area near a river here in Ft Collins. You should have seen how funny folks looked at us walking along with a ladder, a hillbilly, and a banjo. Quite a sight! I couldn’t find dog models, so they’re fictitious.”

Cannon offers her many musical images as art prints, which can be viewed and ordered online. She will also be exhibiting at Merlefest later this month, where she will be available to meet folks and sign prints at her booth.