PORTLAND, Maine — The painting shows a classic Maine scene: Wells Beach on a summer day, waves breaking on the shores, puffy clouds dotting a blue sky, and afternoon sunlight slanting across the sand and rocks. The setting is calm, idyllic, untouched by the presence of even a single tourist.
Oh, and one other thing. In the middle of the beach stand two instantly recognizable figures—R2-D2 and C-3PO from "Star Wars."
The painting, with all its charm and quirkiness, sprang from the imagination of Spose, the rapper who for more than a decade has been one of the best-known musicians in Maine.
The first time he picked up a paintbrush was in January 2022. Painting was a hobby, but one he took seriously.
"I feel like I’ve only had success with my music because I treat it like any other job and I try to do it from 9 to 5," he told 207. "So the [month] that I started this I did it 9 to 5. I painted 9 to 5, and I had no idea what I was doing."
For instruction, he watched YouTube and Instagram videos, and slowly, slowly he got better. About 50 paintings are now complete, all of them reflecting Spose's distinctive take on the world.
"Much like my music, I’m only really interested in doing stuff that is a little unique," he said.
That's why his art contains images of iPads and iPhones, sports figures he admires, and "Star Wars" characters on Wells Beach.
"Who knows if my art makes it to 10 years from now?" Spose acknowledged. "But if it's 300 or 400 years from now and you look at this painting, I would like it to be emblematic of my experience on earth."
Spose, whose real name is Ryan Peters, will be sharing his paintings with the world in a show called "Anyone Can Paint." It will run from Dec. 1-17 at Over Here Studio at Thompson’s Point in Portland. About 25 of his works will be for sale through auction on eBay.
What kind of response will people have to the work?
"Inevitably, there's always some haters," Spose said with a laugh. "So somebody will come in and go, 'This sucks. Stick to rapping.' But overall, I’m excited."
Actually, Spose will be rapping as well in December. His annual PDank Xmas show will take place at Aura in Portland on Dec. 16.