About John Douglas

Fresh off drumming with Aerosmith at the Grammy’s and performing at the prestigious MusicCares where Aerosmith was honored as the Person of the Year, John Douglas has been getting ready to continue his 2021 North American Art Tour.

Not only is John Douglas’ artwork of rock and roll icons some of the most famous and highly collected among celebrities and art enthusiasts around the world, but Douglas has toured the globe with multi-platinum musicians including ZZ Top, Slash, Van Halen and Bon Jovi. He is just back from playing the Grammy’s and MusicCares with Aerosmith, and is currently on tour with Aerosmith in their Las Vegas Residency. Along the way, he has created one-of-a-kind masterpieces of rock and roll icons including Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Bono (U2) and The Rolling Stones. These original works of art (several signed by both Douglas and the Rockstar subject) are… in a word… extraordinary.

Douglas’ art can be seen in many Hard Rock Café locations as well as their corporate office and is on exhibition and available for acquisition at renowned art galleries throughout North America. His life, journey and story is one that is fascinating amongst rock stars and collectors alike.

A drummer and artist for his entire life, Douglas merged his passions for drumming and art, ultimately becoming the premier drum customizer for international superstars including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Mana, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Pantera, Iron Maiden and Aerosmith.

He also painted many guitars including the famous “Billie” guitar for Joe Perry of Aerosmith. Eventually he started working for these bands as a drum tech. While on tour with rock and roll’s biggest icons, Douglas paints portraits in his hotel room. This keeps him creatively satisfied and helps to pass the time and loneliness of being on the road. His most recent masterpiece is of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi.

John Douglas with Steven Tyler in front of Douglas' portrait of Steven Tyler

John Douglas at Work

ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons Signs his Portrait Painted by John Douglas

Way back in 2001 I painted what is widely considered Joe’s most famous and iconic guitar, known as the “Billie” guitar. It features a portrait of his wife Billie painted on the front and back. It has been photographed and featured on the cover of just about every music publication . I thought it would be cool for me to paint a portrait of Joe playing that guitar …for myself. You know….a portrait of Joe playing the “Billie” guitar painted by the guy that painted the “Billie” guitar. So in my spare time I did just that. When I finished it I contacted Joe’s guitar tech and asked him if he could get Joe to sign it for me. He said “we are up at Joe’s house now recording his next solo album. Send it up here and I’ll have Joe sign it for you” . So I did that. Apparently , Joe took one look at the painting and said “that’s my album cover!” The Hard Rock now owns the original.

- John Douglas

SEE MORE OF JOHN'S WORKS

PRESS INTERVIEWS

PRESS ARTICLES

Aerosmith drummer who paints rock & roll makes a stop in Tampa | Great Day Live Tampa Bay Aerosmith contributor John Douglas talks new art show in Tampa | Daytime WFLA

Channel 8 News World-Renowned Drummer and Rock & Roll Artist John Douglas Comes to Tampa | Full Access Magazine

The Man Who Paints Rock & Roll: World Renowned Drummer & Rock & Roll Fine Artist John Douglas to Appear Live in Tampa | Destination Tampa Bay

John Douglas' "High-Performance" Fine Art Tour | Culture Owl Rock & Roll Fine Artist John Douglas to Appear in Tampa | The Suncoast Post

John Douglas' High-Performance Fine Art Tour | SRQ Magazine

Gallery to host ‘High Performance’ exhibit | Tampa Bay Newspapers

Gallery to host ‘High Performance’ exhibit | The Suncoast News