A mesmerizing timelapse video reveals how an artist transforms smashed-up records into masterpieces that he then sells to his celebrity fans for up to $10,000 a pop.
Greg Frederick, from Brooklyn, uses pieces of broken vinyl to create portraits of famous musicians including Cher, Michael Jackson and David Bowie.
The 36-year-old focused on photography early in his career but became inspired when he discovered a box of old records on a Brooklyn sidewalk in 2011.
From trash to treasure: Artist Greg Frederick, from Brooklyn, turns smashed-up records into portraits of A-list stars
Clients: The 36-year-old sells his pieces for up to $10,000 each, and counts celebrities like Paul Rudd (pictured) and Stevie Nicks among his A-list fans
Snapped up: Paul, 49, bought one of Greg’s portraits of singer David Bowie (pictured) at a charity auction
Since finding his niche, Greg’s unique pieces have been shown all over the US and have even found a place in the homes celebrities including Stevie Nicks and Paul Rudd.
The works of art also have a permanent place in the headquarters of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Foundation and even in New York’s World Trade Center.
Greg, a former magazine editor, was able to quit his day job in 2012 to pursue his passion full time.
The once-struggling artist said: ‘In 2011 I was walking home from work and I saw some old vinyls in a cardboard box, thrown away on a Brooklyn street.
‘I picked them up and brought them home, which is where it all started.
‘The process usually begins when an image inspires me. Music has always been my passion.
‘I use unplayable records and I break them into pieces to craft mostly portraits.
‘My big break came in 2011 when a website called Fab.com agreed to feature my art and in one day, I sold 20 pieces.
Lucrative: Greg, a once-struggling artist, says his big break came in 2011 not long after he turned to this unique mixed media format when an online magazine featured his work
Transformation: Since he first started using vinyl, Greg has expanded his repertoire to include CDs, cassettes, and the plastic packaging
Spot the celeb! Greg has created the faces of many recognizable figures, including Elvis Prestley (left) and Madonna (right)
Themed: The artist focuses on musicians, like Bowie (left) and Cher (right), no doubt because they have such a close connection with the materials he is using
‘Over two million people saw my work on that platform and that’s where the interest started.
‘At the time, I was working as an editor in a magazine and soon after this I was able to quit my day-job to pursue this dream.
‘The first major display of my art was next to to Andy Warhol’s work at the Leslie Lohman Museum in New York in 2011 which was such a proud moment for me.
‘In recent years I’ve started to add more than just vinyls and their packaging. Now I regularly introduce CDs, cassettes and their boxes.
‘I’ve worked with NBA players and Halsey before she played Madison Square Garden.
‘Paul Rudd even bought one of my pieces, a portrait of David Bowe, at a charity auction last year.’
Greg, originally from Peoria, Arizona, said the high point of his career was working on a portrait of his idol Stevie Nicks, which now hangs in her home.
Greg said: ‘The highlight of my career has been making a piece of art for Stevie Nicks.
Something different: The materials aren’t always smashed up before use. For example for this portrait of Jay-Z, Greg used 15 whole cassette tapes
Spotlight: The works of art have a permanent place in the headquarters of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Foundation and even in New York’s World Trade Center
‘A venue where she played commissioned a portrait of her to give her as a gift.
‘I’m a massive fan of her and Fleetwood Mac so that was a really special moment for me.
‘I’ve worked with Courtney Love too but I’d rather not go into that.’
Greg, who is currently working on a large portrait of Prince, can take up to two weeks to finish a special piece.
The artist is regularly commissioned to create art for wedding gifts but said his weirdest request had a marine theme.
‘The weirdest piece that I’ve ever been commissioned to do was a portrait of a manatee lying on a beach in Miami.
‘I enjoyed the challenge of that though but it was funny.
‘I’m just so happy to be able to do something I love this much and to have turned it into a career.
‘That was always my dream.’