Kurt Cobain Canvas Art by Chris Tutty - Nevermind Nirvana Grunge Icon

Title: Nevermind: Kurt Cobain Tribute
Artist: Chris Tutty
Medium: Airbrush on Canvas
Dimensions: 40 x 40 inches

Nevermind: Kurt Cobain Tribute is a striking 40 x 40-inch airbrush painting by Chris Tutty that pays homage to one of the most influential icons of 1990s rock—Kurt Cobain. This immersive portrait captures Cobain’s piercing gaze with haunting detail, framed by cascading, water-like strands of hair that flow into a dreamlike composition.

In a powerful nod to Nirvana’s legendary Nevermind album, Tutty seamlessly integrates the iconic underwater baby reaching for a dollar bill—now swirling within Kurt’s hair like a memory suspended in time. The soft hues of blue, violet, and aqua echo the underwater theme, while the subtle light and reflections enhance the ethereal, almost surreal atmosphere of the piece.

Tutty’s mastery of airbrush technique is on full display, bringing both realism and fluidity to the canvas. From the delicate textures in Cobain’s beard to the glistening bubbles floating across the surface, every element speaks to the emotional complexity and cultural impact of Nirvana’s music. This painting is not only a portrait—it’s a layered tribute to a voice that defined a generation and a reminder of the beauty and fragility of artistic expression.

ORIGINAL WORKS

Each original painting is unique and a one-of-a-kind creation. A great amount of time and detail goes into each piece of art, from hand-painted brush strokes in acrylic and oil medium, to the unique art of airbrushing done with only the best of paints, Crea-tex Auto-Air Colors, and House of Kolors Automotive Paint. Aspects of geological layering, almost like sedimentary rock, are imparted with mixed mediums such as metallics, gold and silver flaking, the introduction of coppers and iron magnesiums in fine powder as well as glass resins, pearls, and industrial candy coats as seen on high-end automobiles. Certain masterpieces also use elements of sculpture with molding paste, crackling, and organic material to highlight low and high points in the picture, creating a dimensional embossed image that leaps off the canvas.

ARTIST PROOFS

With the addition of all these materials and techniques in the original, you may ask, what does an Artist Proof look like and how does it differ from the original painting? Due to this unique style of artwork, normal prints are not even an option. An Artist Proof is painted in the same manner as an original, and all of the above techniques mentioned in the original are imparted in the Artist Proofs with one exception. Artist proofs are derived from the original image. The original is professionally photographed by Rob Ryan of Render DC prior to its completion. The artist proof file is digitally remastered with a spectrometer and color balanced to lead to the next step. It is then printed and stretched on canvas providing a mapping for the new proof. This is called an archival pigment print. The stretched canvas is then re-airbrushed in order to retain the true vibrant colors of the original. Molding paste, pearls, metal flakes, candies, and neon paints are incorporated, and then sealed with glass resins. The Artist Proof equals the Original. The Proof is of the same quality but has expressive variations. Essentially it is a new painting based on the Original. The price point of the Artist Proof can be marketed with substantial savings, thus providing the consumer access to a truly unique piece of art.

AVAILABLE FORMATS

• 40" x 40": Artist Proof Original Giclée with a stunning glass resin finish

• 20" x 20": Artist Proof, perfect as a command-the-room piece

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GO TO THE CONTACT PAGE FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS ON THIS SITE. Some of the custom Artist Proof prints may take up to a month for production and shipping.