Max Elbo, born Donald Stephen Forsyth, began his adventure as a young artist in Detroit, drawing pictures of bug-eyed monsters driving hot rods on the T-shirts of his school mates, for 25¢ each, 50¢ for color. Later in the 60's, he was one of the legendary artists at Detroit's infamous Grande Ballroom designing psychedelic posters, handbills & postcards which promoted local & international Rock & Roll acts. Using a variety of names such as Donnie Dope, Dr. Mabuse, Alice Cow, Hairy Pumpkins, Guido Ponzini & Black Dennis, his stunning work from that time is widely collectable.
Several of these Grande Ballroom pieces are featured in "The Art of Rock", the definitive guide to rock art. Primarily a self-taught artist, Max's early influences were many and varied: contemporaries Wes Wilson & the San Francisco poster scene; Aubrey Beardsley, Erte, H. J. Ford, the Russian Constructivists & the East Indian miniaturists of centuries past. His technique incorporates pen & ink, acrylic, watercolor, gouache & marker in a unique stippled style that allows precise, realistic effects. Max's work continued to evolve after relocating to Eureka Springs, AR in the mid-70's, flourishing in the eclectic atmosphere of artists, musicians & creative personalities & the beauty of the Arkansas Ozarks. |
In 2000, computer graphics became a valued new tool for creating new images and reformatting existing work.
Max's portfolio includes fine art pieces, posters for Eureka Springs Jazz, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Rock & Classical Music Festivals; illustrations for a children's book, "The Silver Boat", & artwork for CD covers.
He is married to poet & writer Selena Parrish, who in 1990 visited Eureka Springs from Redondo Beach, CA. He rented her a room for the summer, & she never left! They celebrated their Silver Anniversary on June 21, 2016.
The wedding invitation he designed as a gift to his wife is a perfect example of his lush, romantic pen & ink style.
Max's portfolio includes fine art pieces, posters for Eureka Springs Jazz, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Rock & Classical Music Festivals; illustrations for a children's book, "The Silver Boat", & artwork for CD covers.
He is married to poet & writer Selena Parrish, who in 1990 visited Eureka Springs from Redondo Beach, CA. He rented her a room for the summer, & she never left! They celebrated their Silver Anniversary on June 21, 2016.
The wedding invitation he designed as a gift to his wife is a perfect example of his lush, romantic pen & ink style.