It was more than just a fun time at Lantana Studios for artist Carl Roberts’ first solo exhibition as guests and patrons of the arts gathered to help raise money for Schools on Wheels; a non-profit organization that provides educational assistance to homeless children.
Irish born artist Reverend Carl Roberts has made Santa Monica his home base for the past nineteen years entertaining the natives, both local and imported, with his unique blend of art, music and mixology since his arrival.
His paintings, colorful, large format acrylics, are pop expressions of icons that include musical greats such as: Sinatra, Elvis, Kurt Cobain and powerful pugilists like Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
“My inspiration came from my love of Southern soul music of James Brown a
nd Ray Charles and my adoration of the sweet science of boxing,†explains Roberts. In the 90’s Roberts fronted and assembled two local bands, the 12-piece jazz-funk extravaganza The New Breed Orchestra and the Samurai Home Boys—a 60’s soul cover band. Yet, Roberts was always painting. “When the bands finally ended, I started painting a little more.†Roberts took six months just to paint honing his style and craft.
A collector of Roberts’ work who currently owns nine pieces is “Fighter of the Decade,†boxing great Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao learned of Roberts work when Roberts presented him with “Manny and Freddie†a colorful representation of Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach before the 2008 “Dream Match†aka the Oscar de la Hoya fight. Pacquiao was so taken by the gesture and the 
piece that he had it featured behind him in an HBO 24/7 series boxing match lead-in.
If Roberts had his way, he’d be painting poster art for upcoming boxing matches. Next up on the artist’s wish list, a series on the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. “I have a painting of Eddie Futch hanging there and would love to do a series on that historic gym,†hints Roberts. Roberts’ art has also been displayed at Pecha Salon and Club Main in Santa Monica as well as Bar Food in Brentwood.
Francis Hocke produced the evening’s event aided by Blue McDonnell who organized the charitable portion of the evening—ten percent of the evenings’ proceeds going to Schools on Wheels—and chefs Joe Feldmann and Ron Hutcheson who put together a fabulous array of victuals.
To see more of Roberts’ work please visit his website at: www.CelticSoulBrother.com
