MORTIMER, Alexander (Artist). Riffin' in Deep Purple. An Original Portrait of Ritchie Blackmore. 2005. Acrylic paint and ink on canvas, 20 x 30 inches (508 x 762 mm).

Blackmore - lead guitarist and co-founder of Deep Purple, and #55 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time - is known for more than a few classic riffs but none more so, perhaps, than his opening to Smoke On The Water.

Blackwell is seen here playing a 1961 Gibson ES-335TDC in cherry, the guitar he used with Deep Purple between 1968 and 1971; it's the ax he used to record "Hush," the group's first smash hit. The guitar was Lot 48 in the September 7, 1995 Christie's South Kensington sale.

Los Angeles-based artist Alexander Mortimer took his degree in Fine/Graphic Arts at College of Marin in Northern California. Over the last twenty years his distinct style, flair, feel for his subjects and the rock n' roll vibe have attracted the eyes of people all across the state and earned him a dedicated fanbase.