Hendrix drawings go on sale

A rare collection of psychedelic drawings and designs by Jimi Hendrix were today being auctioned.

The guitarist who is best remembered for his brilliant musicianship was also an avid drawer who would sketch in the privacy of his hotel room.

The rock legend carried two sketch pads with him for several years and would doodle then painstakingly colour in the designs with a psychedelic felt-tip pen.

Some of the drawings began life as small pieces but developed into intricate, highly involved designs.

Recurring motifs include petals, leaves, blazing suns and hooded figures.

The visually stunning drawings painted in an abstract style, draw inspiration from Sanskrit and the natural world and have estimates ranging from £5,000 to £8,000 (€7,000 to €11,000).

Born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle on November 27, 1942, Hendrix spent his most successful years in Britain, where he initially came to fame.

He arrived in September 1966 with his band,

The Jimi Hendrix Experience, had their first hit single with Hey Joe in December that year.

During 1967 the group became famous throughout Europe though they were little known in Hendrix’s home country.

That changed after their appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival where their music plus Hendrix dousing his guitar with lighter fluid and burning it won a lengthy standing ovation.

Platinum albums included Are You Experienced?, Electric Ladyland, and Axis: Bold as Love.

The group split up in 1969 although Hendrix insisted it was only a chance for each member to develop individually.

His career seemed to be on the way to greater heights when he died in London on September 18, 1970.

A post mortem examination found death was due to inhaling vomit after overdosing on sleeping tablets.