Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child - Original Pastel Artwork by Stephen Doig

Jimi Hendrix

Pitit Vodou - Don't be Late

By Stephen Doig

Pastel on Board

64 x 30cm

From Crossroads To Eternity

Resting serenely upon his cane, a faithful companion asleep at his side.

Papa Legba stands guard at the crossroads.

Perhaps in a dream. A young man approaches, cautiously, respectfully... his guitar lay across open palms.

"Don't be late," Papa Legba calls out sternly. Then, as the young man stood before him. Papa, with smiling eyes in a low tone asks: "What have you for me?"

The young man kneels, places the guitar gently at the feet of the old gatekeeper. Papa regards the gift intently. A long moment passes, and from under the shadow of a broad-rimmed hat, he raises a stare to meet the young man's. Papa's smiling eyes sadden. His words choked with unearthly compassion.

"The price will be high my boy, and must be paid,"

"I know," whispers the young man.

Clasping the offering by its slender neck, Papa raises the guitar high above his head. His cane, too, is thrust skyward. Melodious incantations fill the air. Papa's companion, now alert, joins his master's chant with a low, mournful whale-song howl. Lightning strikes twice - first the cane, then the guitar. The howling ceases.

The moment cools; the air softens... and the spell cast. Papa returns his thoughtful gaze to the young man. He lowers the Fender, now shrouded in a silent celestial glow that danced ember-like over her sleek majestic frame, and beckons the young man.

His hands tremble as Papa Legba, Guardian of the Crossroads, places within them this most precious of treasures. Tears welling, he caresses his enchanted Stratocaster, and embracing her fire-kissed contours, draws shimmering purple light close to his heart. The two souls now one, become legend. Lux lucet in eternum.

"Go now, mon petit Vodou. Play, Jwe byen... but don't be late."

Stephen Doig

At the crossroads of myth and music stands Jimi Hendrix, the man who played like the deal had already been sealed. My eyecon does not attempt to explain him. It simply looks into the single eye of someone who knew something the rest of us are still trying to understand, and in the end... he was not late at all, and the price?  Paid in full. 

 Jwe byen. P.L.