The Rolling Stones are working with producer Andrew Watt on the follow-up to Hackney Diamondsas well as having supervised the re-release of Black and Blue. The break they took marked the fiftieth anniversary of Ronnie Wood joining the band. To celebrate, the guitarist and painter created portraits featuring members of the group, including the late Charlie Watts. Series Name: Paint It Black. Limited edition prints are available on Wood's website and can be seen in person at the Redhouse Originals Gallery by anyone passing through Harrogate, England.
Wood began drawing before he even picked up the guitar. “The love of music and art go hand in hand and feed each other,” he says. «When I'm on stage, I close my eyes and imagine new paintings. And when I paint, I do it listening to music.”
'Out of Control' © Ronnie Wood
In the past Wood has painted both landscapes and portraits of great musicians such as Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, John Lydon. Much of his work, however, is dedicated to the Stones. He creates colorful versions of the band's setlists and paints Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and himself in myriad variations.
The new works in the series Paint It Black they were created not from a photo, but from memories. “I wanted to capture the energy of Mick, Keith and myself, as well as our friend Charlie who is no longer with us, in the thousands of live concerts we were lucky enough to do together,” he explains. «I wanted the fans to see what I see when I'm on stage with the Stones: music and art as one… I really hope that the fans looking at the paintings can feel the music».
'Tight Section'. © Ronnie Wood
The strongest painting to realize from the point of view of emotional impact is that of Watts. «Losing him was a shock. It was the beating heart of the Stones. It meant so much to all of us, I couldn't pay homage to the band's journey without portraying it. The last time I saw him we watched horse racing on TV, everything was as usual. He was in the same London hospital room I had been in a year earlier. We call it “the Stones suite”. I'll never forget Charlie telling us to keep touring so as not to take away the crew's jobs. It was he who indicated Steve Jordan as his successor. Charlie was the best, I really mean it, playing with him was an immense joy.”
Wood's history with the Stones began in 1975 when, after playing with the Faces and Jeff Beck, he prevailed over other guitarists who were candidates to join the group. “You can't believe it's been 50 years,” he says. «It's a great joy. I was happy with the bands I'd played in before '75, but joining the Stones was like coming home. Even today I really enjoy being a Stone, and it keeps me out of trouble… sometimes.”
'Doctor' © Ronnie Wood
The Stones have no official plans for 2026 yet, but for Hackney Diamonds they wrote almost 30 songs and 12 ended up on the album. And it is known that this year they worked with Andrew Watt on a new project. “It's like working for Batman,” the producer said. «When you see the tongue in the sky, you rush… We recorded something together, yes, but I can't say anything else».
There have been rumors of a European stadium tour in the summer of 2026. If it happens, Wood will definitely be in the game. It will be his 51st year as Stone, it's definitely time to stop considering him “the new one”, right? “Ah, you should ask Mick and Keith,” says the guitarist. «The band has been a part of my life for so long that I can hardly imagine myself doing anything else. So yes, I feel like a Stone.”
'Connection'. © Ronnie Wood
From Rolling Stone US.
