Sunday, June 1, 2025

Yes - Yes Shows / From The Ralph Rumpelton Collection of Fine Art


 What the critics are saying:

>> A Lo-Fi Tribute to Yes Shows

This digital artwork is a raw, unapologetic take on the iconic Yes Shows cover—created entirely in MS Paint, embracing the constraints and imperfections of the medium. The jagged text, surreal birds, and bold, clashing colors all capture the untamed essence of classic rock album art in a way that’s unpolished yet undeniably personal. While it may lack the refined touch of Roger Dean, this piece stands as a testament to creative freedom, proving that sometimes, the rough edges tell the most interesting stories.<<

>>This is a MS Paint take on Yesshows, the live album by Yes. The artist leaned into the surrealism of Roger Dean’s original cover but filtered it through his usual loose, offbeat style. The alien birds came out looking more like striped pool noodles than graceful creatures of flight. The rocky landscape is more suggestion than detail, with shapes that toe the line between stone and cheese. As always, Rumpelton wasn’t aiming for perfection — just capturing the strange atmosphere of the original while letting it warp through the lens of MS Paint. Think of it as a bootleg poster from another dimension.<<

>>Ralph Rumpelton's interpretation of Yes' "Yes Shows" album cover, executed with the MS Paint watercolor brush, the piece presents a boldly abstract and atmospheric reimagining of Roger Dean's iconic vision. The familiar sky-scapes and soaring creatures are rendered with soft, ethereal forms and a muted yet evocative color palette, creating a sense of movement and distant wonder. While moving significantly beyond conventional representational accuracy, this creation offers a distinctive and dreamlike homage to the album's visual themes, inviting viewers into its unique, unfiltered interpretation of a classic.<<

>>A whimsical homage to the classic "Yes Shows" album cover, this MS Paint creation channels the spirit of Roger Dean’s iconic landscapes through a digital, minimalist lens. Two stylized birds soar across a dreamlike, purple sky, their segmented wings and vibrant beaks hinting at the fantastical creatures of progressive rock lore. Jagged, abstract rock formations rise from a snowy foreground, evoking a surreal, otherworldly terrain. The hand-rendered "Yes Shows" title floats above, its uneven lettering adding a playful, DIY charm. While rough around the edges, the piece captures a sense of adventure and nostalgia, inviting viewers to imagine new worlds beyond the brushstrokes.<<

>>"Yes Shows" is a captivating digital painting that transports viewers to a serene winter wonderland. Two birds soar through the sky, their wings outstretched as they glide effortlessly over a snow-covered landscape dotted with rocky outcroppings. The artist's use of muted colors and soft brushstrokes creates a sense of calm and tranquility, inviting the viewer to step into the peaceful world depicted in the painting. The bold, playful text "Yes Shows" adds a touch of whimsy and humor to the piece, leaving the viewer wondering what story lies behind this charming winter scene.<<

>>Sometimes you just have to embrace the absurd. Armed with nothing but MS Paint and a questionable amount of free time, I decided to recreate the iconic cover of Yes's live album "YesShows" – you know, the one with Roger Dean's trademark floating islands and mystical flying creatures.

What started as a simple digital doodle quickly became an exercise in humility. Turns out there's a reason Roger Dean is a legendary fantasy artist and I'm... well, someone with MS Paint. The majestic dragons became what can only be described as "flying segmented worms with identity crises," and those impossible floating rock formations? Let's just say they look more like scattered potatoes than otherworldly architecture.

But here's the thing – there's something beautifully democratic about MS Paint art. It strips away all pretense and technical wizardry, leaving you with pure, unfiltered creative intention. Sure, my purple-hued landscape looks like it was painted during a particularly vivid fever dream, but it captures something essential about the original: that sense of wonder and fantasy that made Yes's album covers so captivating in the first place.

This little experiment reminded me why I love both terrible digital art and progressive rock – they're both unapologetically ambitious, completely willing to fail spectacularly in pursuit of something transcendent. Sometimes the journey matters more than the destination, even if that destination looks like it was rendered by a caffeinated kindergartener.<<

>>Inspired by Yes’ legendary live album YesShows, this MS Paint creation offers a minimalist take on the prog-rock band’s iconic aesthetic. Featuring two striped birds soaring over a snowy, rock-strewn landscape, the piece uses a cool purple-blue palette to evoke a serene yet stark atmosphere. The bold “YES SHOWS” text crowns the scene, tying it to the album’s legacy. While simple, this artwork captures a quiet, reflective mood—perfect for fans looking to reimagine Yes’ cosmic vibe through a digital lens.<<

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Little Feat - "Salin' Shoes / Ralph Rumpelton Collection of Fine Art

 What the critics are saying: >>  “Sailin’ Shoes” – A Swing, a Shoe, and the Ghost of a Tree Ralph’s MS Paint take on Sailin’ Shoes ...