Design Competition Preliminary - Round 2

I have worked on my original design by adding and modifying the typography, adding a random radial gradient, fine tuning the masking, by adding a border and revising the photo (removing blemishes, toning down the white of the sweater and removing a distracting label(?) inside the guitar).  I think this version of the poster is probably done. 

In the mean time, I used the same image of Chuck for another version of the poster.  For this one, I used two overlayed photos of mine for background images and converted the image of Chuck to a high-contrast mask.  One of the background images was on normal blending, while the other was on color burn.  I decided any border would detract from the image.  I also opted for very simplified text, since the image was complex.

As mentioned in my previous post, these posters are intended for the 2012 Adobe Design Achievement Awards, which requires an artist statement or description of the piece of 100 words or less.  Below is my draft write up which can go with either version of the poster. Although the two versions of the poster are very different from each other in style, I feel they accomplish the same design goal.  Please note - the story of Chuck is made up, although Chuck (Charles) is his real name and he does play guitar. While the rest of the story below is fictitious, it describes the my intended message and mood I was striving for in the posters.

"My good friend Chuck is a regular feature on Friday nights at the Oasis Grill.  His music has an unexpected, yet intimately familiar quality. He is a thoughtful solo performer who intersperses his own poetic compositions with carefully selected and innovative covers of classic reggae, rock and instrumental rhythm and blues.  I wanted to create a poster worthy of his complex and creative musical spirit - a poster evocative of the swirling interwoven threads of imagery I enjoy in his music. I also hope that this poster will help Chuck draw the audience he deserves.  Rock on, Chuck!"