Gil Scott-Heron and Stevie Van Zandt: A Painting’s Journey

I’m always happy when my paintings find good homes.

My painting of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron has found a new home with my friend Stevie Van Zandt. Yes, that Stevie Van Zandt: rock icon, activist, member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, founder of the powerhouse band the Disciples of Soul, and a gifted actor and writer.

This piece holds a particularly special place in my heart. I was working on a series of iconic artists, musicians, and writers for a speakeasy in Harlem—a celebration of cultural giants who left an indelible mark on history. The series included legends like Billie Holiday, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, Biggie Smalls, Josephine Baker, and others. Each portrait was a tribute to their brilliance and a way to honor their contributions to art, music, and literature.

             

 

 

It was during this time that John Fugelsang, a dear friend and someone whose insight I deeply value, suggested I paint Gil Scott-Heron. I hadn’t initially considered him for the series, but once John planted the idea, it felt absolutely perfect. Gil was an incredible artist in every sense of the word—a revolutionary poet and musician whose work remains as powerful and relevant today as it ever was.

Knowing that this painting of Gil now graces Stevie’s walls is deeply humbling, not only because of who he is, but because I know Stevie and appreciate the depth of his love for art, music, and storytelling. Whether he’s electrifying audiences with his music, captivating us on screen, or crafting thought-provoking stories as a writer, Stevie embodies the same revolutionary spirit that Gil carried throughout his life.

Stevie has always been a champion of artists and a fierce advocate for justice, and it means the world to me that my painting of Gil has found a home with him. It feels fitting that Gil’s legacy will continue to inspire from Stevie’s walls, where it will hopefully spark reflection and conversation.

Art has a way of finding its people, and it’s moments like this that remind me just how special that journey can be. I’m so grateful to know that this piece has found the perfect home. 

Greenwich Village with Gil Scott-Heron and Stevie Van Zandt (Photo by John Fugelsang)