Earl Biss' Beaded Denim Jacket with Rhinestones

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Rustler Men's Large (size) with added glass beads, Aurora-fumed rhinestones, metal stars and rivets.  Late 1970's to early 1980's.  

Gifted to a friend over lunch at the Woody Creek Tavern in Aspen, Colorado at which time she introduced Earl Biss to Hunter S. Thompson, a well-known author.  Thompson commented to Biss "If you will teach me to paint, I will teach you to write."

To the jacket's basic canvas Biss added rows of multicolor glass seed beads stitched over the French seams on the jacket front and pocket flaps.  A banded pattern of cobalt blue, ruby red, sunset orange, lemon yellow, black and faceted fumed copper provide a Southwestern hued paltette with the copper-faced buttons and rivets securing and reinforcing the garment throughout.

Because he wore the collar open, lapel style, the four golden stars he attached to either side of the neck opening, are clipped on with prongs.  There is one on each collar point and three on the inside space between the top button and second one down.  He was careful to place the stars so that rivet button back and corresponding button hole would disappear.

$1,500.00

Artwork details