Star-Child Art

Kiss front man Paul Stanley has begun a career as an artist. La Jolla's Wentworth Gallery will present an exhibition of his work beginning September 7 and 8. Consisting of a series of abstracts with broad sweeps of color, his paintings have drawn the attention of serious collectors. Prices for the star-child's canvases range from $1550 to $60,000.

Stanley, who will be in attendance from 6 until 9 p.m. the 8th and 9th, notes the role San Diego has played in Kiss lore.

"The inside of Kiss Alive II [released in 1977], which is really one of the ultimate photos of the Kiss spectacle, was shot at the Sports Arena," he recalls.

One famous tour incident occurred when Kiss performed at the Civic Theatre on June 7, 1975. On that night, their opening act, Canadian rockers Rush, were rumored to be planning a practical joke on the headliners. When Kiss found out about it, they arranged to have the band pelted with pies at the end of their set. So, during Kiss's show, Rush found some costumes backstage and dressed as Native Americans. With headdresses on, they danced across the stage to disrupt Kiss's careful choreography.

"I remember the guys on the side of the stage in Native American war paint and clothing, and I think they were shooting things at us. Nothing I had to bleed for," Stanley jokes.

Though Stanley is happy that his artwork appeals to Kiss fans, he advises restraint from the general public at his art show.

"Because of both crowds and practicality, it's the wrong time and the wrong place to have your favorite T-shirt, CD, tour book, photograph, or anything else signed. I'm not there to do that and actually won't.... And that means nobody gets preferential treatment. Except the people who are actually buying the art."