Paul Culshaw is an artist whose intrinsic love of 50s style and music shines through in his work. He also happens to be the husband of my lovely friend Fiona of Straight Talkin’ Mama.
My heart quavers a little when I find out that a friend makes art, writes, or plays music. Because the concern always is, what if they are no good and I have to pretend I still like it? I am a rotten liar. So when Fiona mentioned her husband was a painter I was worried. And then, I took a look at his work, and was hooked.
Paul creates under the name Earl Diablo’s Artistic Extravaganza, and paints the most wonderful, lively pictures of nightclub and street scenes featuring a cast of dark 50s characters – mariachi bands, gangsters, femme fatales, bikers, teddy boys and Day of the Dead skeletons. They remind me a little of the Dutch American artist Willem de Kooning, with that same sense of movement and colour, but underneath it all a sense of darkness and menace.
Paul doesn’t have a website yet, but you can get in touch via the Earl Diablo’s Artistic Extravaganza Facebook page. His prices are exceptionally good so now is a great time to snap up his artworks, because as he gets better known they can only increase in value. In fact as soon as I am able, I will be buying one for myself. He also undertakes commissions, if you have a special subject you’d like painted.
1970s green velvet dress by Jean Varon 
1970s Welsh Wool crop top and maxi skirt 
1960s psychedelic terry towelling beach dress 
1960s double breasted tweed check coat by Eastex 
1960s Nordic style knitted wool waistcoat 
1960s petit point evening bag with strap 
1980s shell pink Sonia Rykiel wool pencil skirt 
1960s cream mohair coat with woven buttons 
1960s blue lurex brocade evening dress with sequin trim 
1960s black and white daisy swimsuit 
Hey hon, so pleased you love Paul’s paintings and I know exactly what you mean about worrying when a friend says they paint, write or whatever, but all artists should know that art and such is a matter of taste, not everyone can like it. I AM pleased someone of your excellent taste does like them though and thanks so much for talking about his art Fiona xxx
Lovely post. I think Paul’s work is terrific…it makes me happy to see it. I’m still choosing the prints I want. Love ‘em all.
x
Hey there!
We run a small shop/gallery in sunny Torquay in Devon called A Kick Up The Arts and we were introduced to Paul’s work about a month ago! We have about 10 original pieces in the shop and prints too – there has been a fab response to the paintings and we have sold a couple of originals too – they really are magnificent in the flesh! It’s great to see a blog like this about his work – he’s very talented! Sarah x
What fun works! They look really interesting! The type of painting that you can keep looking at and seeing something new each time!