In this striking 30" x 40" painting titled "Thug Life," Chris Tutty vividly captures the essence of the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. Depicted with his shirt off and a bandana covering his head, Tupac exudes confidence and intensity, embodying the raw energy that defined his music and persona.
The background is a bold, deep red, symbolizing power and passion, representing Tupac’s association with the Bloods, a street gang that uses red as a primary color. This choice of color adds dramatic contrast and highlights his dynamic presence while also reflecting the complexities of his life.
Adorned with a distinctive chain necklace, and with clenched fists and a piercing stare directed at the viewer, he projects strength and defiance, aiming a gun that encapsulates the intensity of his life and struggles. Notably, the person who commissioned this painting decided to include an old engagement ring diamond—a stunning 3 carats—as Tupac's nose stud, adding an unexpected yet striking detail to the artwork.
Tupac's "Thug Life" tattoo, prominently displayed across his torso, carries deep significance, reflecting his philosophy on life and his connection to the struggles faced by marginalized communities. The phrase was a mantra for Tupac, symbolizing resilience, loyalty, and the harsh realities of street life. It represents his commitment to advocating for those living in difficult circumstances, showcasing his desire to shed light on societal issues.
Chris Tutty’s masterful technique enhances the emotional impact of the piece, drawing viewers into Tupac’s world and reflecting the complexities of his character. "Thug Life" celebrates the cultural influence of Tupac, commemorating his legacy as an icon of resilience and expression. This captivating artwork is perfect for fans of Tupac and collectors alike, inviting deeper reflection on the artistry and impact of this remarkable figure in music history.
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 magnesium’s 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.
11 inch by 14 inch Metal Prints Limited Edition
Create a unique addition to any home or office with a sleek metal panel infused with your favorite image. All Metal Prints feature a glossy coating and rounded edges for a clean, beautiful display. Every piece comes with a sturdy fixture for wall-mounting.
8 inch by 10 inch Dye-Sublimation Prints Limited Edition
Fine art photo printing on metal, or what is known as metal prints, is a relatively new industry. So what are metal prints? Simply put, metal prints are images printed on aluminum. But it is vastly more complicated than that. The secret is how the printing is done. Most photo prints are simply inkjet printers on a piece of canvas or other paper material. The print material fades, cannot be cleaned easily, and of course must be framed.
Fine art metal printing uses a technique called dye sublimation. Dye sublimation means that inks are turned into a vapor or gas before they turn into a liquid.
Dye sublimation is a digital print technology that allows the reproduction of full-color images on a variety of surfaces. Dye sublimation on hard surfaces is possible because the surfaces have been coated using an innovative manufacturing process that provides high-definition, durable photo panels that preserve images for generations. Instead of printing images directly on a surface, which may scratch easily, the image is infused into the coating to provide permanent protection and durability.
8 inch by 10 inch Art Resin Block Prints Limited Numbered Edition
Art resin blocks are a unique and personal way to showcase art. Each art block is a professionally digitally remastered photo of the original art which is mounted to a pine wood 8 inch by 10-inch canvas block and then coated with a lifetime ultraviolet protective called Art-resin which appears as a type of sold glass and enhances the work of art. Only two hundred and fifty prints of each Image are created.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GO TO THE CONTACT PAGE FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS ON THIS SITE, THANKS. SOME OF THE CUSTOM ARTIST PROOF PRINTS MAY TAKE UP TO A MONTH FOR PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING.
