"St. Louis Cigar Box Guitar Festival" – Original Painting

by St. Louis Artist Carol Boss

Canvas Dimensions: 28" x 22"
Framed Dimensions: 34.5" x 28.5" x 2" deep

This one-of-a-kind original painting by renowned St. Louis artist Carol Boss was created as official poster art for the Annual Hwy 61 Cigar Box Guitar Festival, where Justin Johnson performed as a returning headliner for many consecutive years.

The artwork is based on an actual moment captured in a photograph of Justin performing live at the festival—roaming through the audience while playing his custom-built Maddog 6-String License Plate Resonator Cigar Box Guitar. In the background, you’ll recognize the Hwy 61 Roadhouse and the iconic St. Louis Arch, grounding the scene in its rich regional roots.

What makes this painting truly special is that every figure in the audience is a real person from that performance. So look closely—you just might spot a familiar face… or even your own! One unforgettable detail immortalized in the painting: the exact moment when Justin made his way over to his wife, Nikki, mid-guitar solo, and she playfully fed him a slice of orange from her Blue Moon draft—hence the look of amused citrus consumption. 🍊🎸

We’ve treasured this painting in our personal collection ever since the festival. While we no longer offer posters of this image, we’re now making the original painting available—a vibrant, humorous, and heartfelt piece of roots music history.

Framing: Housed in a high-quality, heavy-duty wood-look frame with a beautifully reliced finish that evokes the weathered soul of the Delta blues—rugged, timeless, and built to last. The frame complements the raw spirit of the artwork while giving it a gallery-ready presence.

Canvas Dimensions: 28" x 22"
Framed Dimensions: 34.5" x 28.5" x 2" deep

🔥 Signed by the artist. Certified original.
📜 Includes Certificate of Authenticity hand-signed by Justin Johnson, certifying that this piece comes from his own private collection.