Bassist Salley Plays with Watercolor Painting

Presidio, KQED feature watercolors

Saturday, December 5, 1998
James Sullivan, Chronicle Staff Writer

Most musicians who paint -- David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Donna Summer among them -- work in oils and acrylics, getting the same thrill from splashing brush strokes that they find in belting tunes.

Rowland Salley doesn't need that much attention. The bassist for Chris Isaak's longtime band Silvertone paints watercolors -- precise, serene renderings of classic scenes that could be postcards.

In fact, many of his paintings have been reproduced as postcards. They're available at the Presidio visitor center, where Salley's artwork -- much of it inspired by local landmarks such as Alcatraz and the Presi dio's bleached-white homes -- is on display through December 19.

The artist is scheduled to be on hand this afternoon during a reception at the center. In addition, on December 27 KQED will air ``Why the Artist Creates,'' an acclaimed short video documenting Salley's muse.

If watercolors don't seem very rock 'n' roll, the 49-year-old Salley has good reasons for choosing the medium. For one thing, he says, speaking from a hotel in Dallas on a tour stop with Isaak, it's easy to travel with his hobby.

``Watercolors are totally dry and ready to go in 10 minutes. Carrying around an oil painting is like carrying a piece of buttered toast.''

Salley discovered his knack for painting several years ago while checking out a store window in his home state of Illinois. The display included a half-dozen watercolors.

``It was absolutely, stunningly beautiful,'' says the soft-spoken musician. ``I just remember marking that down in my mind.''

Though he has painted sites around the continent, he's especially taken with the views in his adopted hometown.

``Some people say if you have to drive more than two miles to find a place to paint, you're just not looking. That definitely holds true in San Francisco.''

Salley, who has toured with Lucinda Williams, Shawn Colvin and John Prine in addition to his 15-year stint with Silvertone, says he was initially doubtful about the idea for the documentary. The short is based on correspondence he had with Cleveland director Luanne Bole- Becker after she'd given him a set of brushes as a gift.

``I didn't know the letter would turn into a narrative for a little movie,'' he says. ``I forgot all about it, to tell you the truth.''

When Bole-Becker contacted him again, saying she'd come up with an idea and already had funding from the Ohio Arts Council, his response was, ``Holy smokes, let me read that letter again.''

Featuring tranquil scenes of the artist at work, the film is a ruminative exploration into the creative mind. Isaak contributes a few lovelorn numbers.

``The only thing my painting and music have in common is me,'' Salley says. ``It's two different worlds. Painting, it's like a lone wolf out there.''

ART EXHIBITION, FILM

ROWLAND SALLEY: The musician will be at a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the William Penn Mott Jr. Visitor Center, Montgomery Street Building 102 in the Presidio, San Francisco. The show runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 19. Call (415) 561-4323 ext. 3745.

WHY THE ARTIST CREATES: The documentary by Luanne Bole-Becker and Bob Becker will air at 6 p.m. December 27 and 11 p.m. December 28 on KQED (Channel 9).

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