Some musicians spend the evening before a big outdoor concert doing soundchecks, but Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood spent his time yesterday doing a picture check on the paintings that constitute his labour of love.
Wearing a grey jacket, a pair of drainpipe jeans which clung to his improbably skinny frame and a big belt buckle, Wood dropped in on the Project Office, Temple Bar, Dublin, yesterday evening for the launch of an exhibition of his art works.
Sixty works, which range in price from €750 to €75,000, reflect Wood's preoccupations, most notably rock music, horses and pretty girls.
There were also several Irish landscape paintings. A painting called Sandymount Majesticis being sold for more than €31,000.
"The next time I come up I'm going to get all my new ballet stuff that I'm doing," he said.
He was happy to pose in front of a picture of his fellow Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, a canvas that will set back any prospective buyer €30,230.
Wood, who lives in Co Kildare, was more intent on talking about his art work then about the big concert at Slane Castle today, but he was holding out that Mick Jagger, who arrived in Dublin last night, would drop in for a look.
"They take a genuine interest. Charlie [Watt the drummer] said 'I like that one' or 'I don't like that one' and Keef would be a bit critical. They know I can paint and they said, 'go ahead'," he said.
Figures as diverse as all four Rolling Stones band members, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Genghis Khan, the racehorse Moscow Flyer and the former jockey Lester Piggott, a particular favourite, are featured in the exhibition.
"Every time I meet up with him, I size him up when he's talking. I have a photographic memory," Wood said.
Only 100 corporate hospitality seats at €375 a ticket are left for today's concert with 70,000 fans expected in Slane.
Overnight rain is likely to make conditions difficult for concert-goers.
Concert organisers have again urged fans to dress for the weather as heavy showers are expected in the afternoon.
The AA has issued a plea to fans to set out early for the concert and non-concert traffic should avoid the Slane region if possible.
Dublin Bus is providing transport to and from Slane. Buses leave Parnell Square West between 11am and 4pm and tickets are €20.
Car parks open at noon, the concert gates open at 2.30pm and the first act on stage, fiddler Frankie Gavin, is scheduled to appear at 3.30pm.
Support acts Tinariwen, the Hold Steady, the Charlatans provide the warm-up before the Rolling Stones appear on stage at about 8pm.
