The English musician Pearl (aka Paul or Porl) Thompson, one of the founding members of the British band The Cure, will present his first solo exhibition at the Mr Musichead Gallery in Los Angeles on March 5, according to an announcement published on Art Daily.

Inspired by the rock star’s visits to the Malibu canyons and the California desert, the paintings capture the energy of the natural environment. Thompson commented on his work, “I like to step back and take on another perspective, see the visions, intense colors, shadows and life forms…like seeing through the eyes of birds.”

Thompson’s artwork was discovered by the photographer Lisa Johnson during a photo shoot for her book 108 Rock Star Guitars. Johnson decided to introduce the musician to the owner of the Mr Musichead gallery, Sam Milgrom, who was impressed by the quality of the paintings. He explained, “The same passion that infused his guitar wizardry is very present in his art work. The color schemes and brush strokes are both moving and alluring.”

Together with Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey and Lol Tolhurst, Pearl Thompson was one of the original members of The Cure when the band first formed in 1976. He left The Cure in 1994 to join the Led Zeppelin Page and Plant tour of 1995.

Thompson has only exhibited his artwork in the UK before, at an exhibition in Cornwall titled “100% SKY,” in 2002.