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Photo by Stewartography

Aaron Kizer

Owensboro artist Aaron Kizer creates the artwork for Kentucky Monthly's June/July issue cover

Kentucky Monthly magazine has collaborated with internationally recognized artist Aaron Kizer of Owensboro to create its June/July 2013 issue cover.  The ink and watered-down Valspar wall paint piece depicts a stylized portrait of bluegrass icon Bill Monroe and corresponds to a story about the International Bluegrass Music Museum. A feature story about Kizer also appears in the issue, which will be available on newsstands by June 4.

In celebration of the musical genre born in the Bluegrass State, Kentucky Monthly and Kizer will present 10 winners with signed and numbered prints of the cover artwork.  The 10 limited-edition art prints will be given away during ROMP 2013: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival on June 27 – 29. The magazine this year is a sponsor of the three-day musical event, which is presented by the International Bluegrass Music Museum and held annually in Owensboro.  In addition to the limited-edition prints, which only can be obtained by receiving a specially-marked ROMP handout or entering to win at the Kentucky Monthly booth, 500 prints will be available for sale at Kentucky Monthly’s booth at the festival.

“We are honored to have Aaron’s art grace our cover,” said Stephen Vest, Kentucky Monthly’s editor and publisher. “To be able to highlight a community-minded and philanthropic artist such as Aaron, in an issue that features stories related to his hometown and the region’s cultural heritage, and sponsor a festival dedicated to our state’s musical legacy—it is the embodiment of our company’s mission to celebrate the best of our Commonwealth.”

Kizer’s work received international attention in November 2011 when a videotaped performance of him speed painting the likeness of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs went viral online. This year, the artist received acclaim for his “Black Print” project, which culminated with proceeds from the sale of his work being donated to the mother of a child with terminal brain cancer.  His recent work also includes “Painting Siva,” a portrait of Peyton Siva, point guard for the University of Louisville Cardinals, 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions. Click here to read the feature story about Kizer. For more information about the artist, visit www.kizerarts.com.