The legendary Gene Simmons, frontman of KISS, America’s #1 Gold Record Award Winning Group of All Time, in all categories (RIAA), and serial entrepreneur announced today that he has joined forces with Nicholas Leone of Animazing Gallery at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian® Resort in Las Vegas for the debut of Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ October 14 through 16. The gallery showing will include a broad variety of artwork by Simmons – from sketches and drawings to small and large format paintings.
“Moving to the United States from Israel as a young boy, I didn’t speak English,” said Simmons. “I fell in love with comics and American television, and they not only helped me learn the language, but inspired creativity and a passion for drawing and painting.”
Simmons, a serial entrepreneur who is recognized as much for his off-stage business and creative prowess as he is as for his bold onstage performances with KISS, has enjoyed success in many arenas. Well known as a branding expert, published author of numerous books, film and television star, public speaker, and founder of numerous businesses, Simmons has quietly held a secret passion for more than five decades – art.
“I started doodling and drawing when I was 8 years of age and as a teenager, I had hundreds of illustrations published in fanzines created by and for sci-fi and comic book enthusiasts,” said Simmons. “With the KISS “End of the Road Tour” taking a pause during the pandemic, I had a chance to pull decades of my art out of storage and it reignited my passion for drawing and painting again.”
Leone, CEO of Animazing Gallery in Las Vegas, had a chance to see a private showing of Simmons’ artwork at Simmons’ new Las Vegas residence.
“I always knew that Gene had many talents, but I had no idea that he was such an incredible artist. Getting to see samples of his artwork, ranging from his childhood illustrations to his current paintings, was eye opening. There is so much variety in his works,” said Leone. “I asked if he would like to show, and possibly even sell some of his work, he humbly said ‘why not’, and here we are.”
The Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ debut at Animazing Gallery will feature a private VIP event for art collectors and celebrities on October 14, followed by two days of public showings with personal appearances by Simmons from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on October 15 and 16.
“I have had no professional training; I just like to draw and paint. I don’t always know where I‘m going, and then all of a sudden, I’m on my way,” said Simmons. “I have great respect and admiration for art and artists, and I’m excited that people like the work that has resulted from what I consider to be my lifelong hobby.”
Simmons finds inspiration from such artists as Jackson Pollack, with many of his newest works embracing Pollack’s action painting style with large format canvases on the floor, and Andy Warhol as a leading figure in the pop art movement.
In the mid 70’s, Simmons was an active members of the vibrant social scene in New York. He fondly remembers attending a party at renowned designer Halston’s mansion on Park Avenue with his then girlfriend Cher. Mingling among the event’s Who’s Who of artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and socialites, he met Warhol, who invited him to his studio.
“Wow. Spending a day with Andy was mind-blowing. Watching him paint – his passion, his vison – was so inspiring,” said Simmons. “He was a giant among artists and a true pioneer.”
For more information about the Gene Simmons ArtWorks™ debut, visit www.animazing.com.
ABOUT GENE SIMMONS
Gene Simmons, co-founder of KISS, is a renowned serial entrepreneur. His keen business acumen expanded KISS beyond the stage with more than 5,000 licensed/merchandised KISS-branded items, allowing KISS to amass more revenue from merchandising and trademark deals than any other band in history. He has also made a name for himself in television, film, publishing, merchandising, restaurants, consumer products and more. He is a popular guest on high profile business and news programs, and a sought-after public speaker.
ABOUT ANIMAZING GALLERY
Animazing Gallery began in 1984 as a gallery specializing in conceptual animation art. Over time, the collection expanded to include works by a wide range of renowned illustrators and pop culture artists. The gallery opened its doors in Las Vegas in 2017 with an expanded showroom and an even more expanded repertoire of classic illustrators and contemporary artists. Animazing Gallery has become an industry stronghold for illustration art and contemporary art inspired by the masters of illustration.
Upon acquiring a collection of comic strips by Charles M. Schulz in 1995, the gallery began to focus on Great American Illustrators. In the gallery’s search to find art exhibiting “the perfect line,” the owner soon discovered an important collection of drawings and watercolors by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. The artwork was exhibited in numerous museum exhibitions.
Owner Nicholas Leone serves as a consultant for numerous auction houses and handles gallery sales and acquisitions.
ABOUT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES
Located inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the center boasts 160 specialty brands and world-class restaurants nestled around a charming and faithful reproduction of Venice’s?Grand?Canal, complete with cobbled walkways, street-side cafes and live entertainment. Signature brands including Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch create an unparalleled retail environment that includes a star-studded line-up of restaurants headed by famous celebrity chefs: Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse, Buddy Valastro’s Buddy V’s and Carlo’s Bakery, Lorena Garcia’s CHICA, as well as Mercato della Pescheria, SUGARCANE raw bar grill, SUSHISAMBA, and Smith & Wollensky. The center is also home to the all-new ATOMIC SALOON SHOW by Spiegelworld. For more information, visit?www.grandcanalshoppes.com.
Jason Price founded the mighty Icon Vs. Icon more than a decade ago. Along the way, he’s assembled an amazing group of like-minded individuals to spread the word on some of the most unique people and projects on the pop culture landscape.
