Poster Boy

The commercial art of Alan Forbes is like the airbrushed graphics on the cabs of semis: flamed and emblazoned with images of fast poker hands and faster women. The Black Crowes' black crow was his first big contribution to the lowbrow art world, and he has since created imagery for 311, Queens of the Stone Age and countless other bands.

But his oils are a completely different story; they're darker, more haunting and way more personal. "Not everyone wants my thoughts on their record cover," he says. "People hire me for my style, and I'll take the big-money job, but the end result sometimes doesn't even look anything like my work." So when he's working on his own time, what he produces is much closer to representing pure Forbes.

Catch the real Forbes tonight at Vain Salon, 1890 Pennsylvania Street, during Wild at Heart, a show that features both his oils and Bandit Brand T-shirt designs done in collaboration with local designer Jen McMillan. Forbes will be present at a reception and party from 7 to 10 p.m.; call 720-596-4511 or visit www.vainsalon.com.
First Friday of every month, 5-7 p.m., 2007