He's painted a stairway to heaven - artist captures Led Zeppelin A ...

Tag : Painting Metal
The work by Jon Ellinor will be signed by the group's Jimmy Pagebefore becoming a prize in an internet-based competition.
The painting of Led Zeppelin, one of the biggest bands of the1970s, and regarded by many as one of the first and greatest, heavymetal bands, has been painted by Jon, whose studio AKTIV Portraitsis based in Huntingdon Garden and Leisure.

His painting of John Bonham, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John PaulJones, as they were in the 1960s, will be the star prize in theinternet-based contest and will be shown at a memorabiliaexhibition, organised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of thefounding of Led Zeppelin.

Money raised will benefit the charity Action for Brazil's ChildrenTrust (ABC) which helps the most vulnerable children in the SouthAmerican country.

The UK-based ABC Trust, which has Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page asits founding patron, supports the work of local community-ledorganisations who give the children education and inspiration theyneed to transform their lives.

Led Zeppelin disbanded almost 30 years ago, following the death ofdrummer John Bonham, but the impact they made on their fans bothnew and old, lives on.

Jon, 25, who opened his studio in February this year aftercompleting his studies in photography and art design at university,said he was more than happy to donate the proceeds from hispainting to the ABC Trust.
Rock fan Jon said: "It was very exciting to have been chosen to dothe painting. It is always nice when people like your work."
He explained that his paintings had first come to the attention ofthe local Led Zeppelin exhibition and contest organiser when shesaw an example of his work entitled I think it was Frank Sinatra ondisplay in a St Ives shop.

Lifelong Led Zeppelin super fan Annie Hollinshead, 44, who lives inHuntingdon, said she first became aware of the local artist'stalent when she was browsing around a furniture shop and saw one ofhis paintings.

"After finding out who the artist was I got in touch to ask him ifhe would be interested in painting the band for the Led ZeppelinTribute as a contest prize to raise money for the charity."

Jon has donated his work to the ABC Trust and the painting will besigned by Jimmy Page.

>> The Led Zeppelin Memorabilia Exhibition, Memories inMusic, will be held at Knebworth House from August 1 to September3, 2008, and will be open daily from noon to 5pm.
Details about the contest and exhibition can be obtained on Annie'swebsite memoriesinmusic.com