In a testament to either his workaholic lifestyle or some exceptional time management, Maynard James Keenan has found the time to return to a hobby he lapsed hobby he abandoned decades ago. The acclaimed vocalist, known for fronting multi-platinum alternative metal juggernauts Tool, multi-platinum alternative rockers A Perfect Circle, and experimental alternative rock outfit Puscifer, has shown off his first proper attempt at charcoal drawings in some 35 years.
Keenan has found the time to do so, despite recent months having found him relocating several brick and mortar businesses he oversees, while also launching new ventures with his wife Jennifer Lei Li Keenan. That renovated complex, which is located in Cottonwood, AZ, houses a vinyl café, a ramen shop, a live venue, a barber shop, and more. On top of that, he also spent time rehearsing and performing at Ozzy Osbourne‘s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction, while sneaking in a press cycle around it.
If that wasn’t enough to fill his plate, he also has a burgeoning coffee business, and a well-documented career as a winemaker. There’s even a functional food truck amid his cadre of professional pursuits. As he recently conveyed, he’s also eyeing forays into making gin and becoming a chocolatier of sorts.
Which is all to say, it’s impressive that he even has downtime at all, let alone enough to set aside for yet another artistic pursuit. As he revealed yesterday (November 10th), his daughter’s dolls have served as the inspiration for his return to the easel, with charcoal being his current weapon of choice. He stated of his first sketches back:
“Haven’t actually set up an easel and drawn for about 35+ years. Finally blowing the dust off. Using my daughter’s dolls as subjects. Gonna fill this pad of newsprint before I allow myself to move on to better charcoal paper. But that is the goal. Thank you, @ramirodriguez5 @lauriesrousseauart @shawndbarber @kimsaigh for the nudge. #charcoaldrawing #creepydoll”
You can see his initial handiwork in the below gallery:
