Nagel Boy

Simply called Man #1 back in 1990 when it was painted, I thought I would update the title for the blog.  This was called Man #1 because it was my very first stab at emulating Patrick Nagel's style and applying it to my vision.  As you can see from the checkerboard background, I was influenced as well by the Memphis design movement.  The reference or inspiration for the man was from a black and white newspaper advertisement, most likely the Sunday New York Times Magazine.  I like the design of the leather jacket's lining, pseudo Memphis design-y.     

Memphis design originated in Italy in the early 1980's and held on tight for most of that decade.  The bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors that were the foundation for this design movement could be seen everywhere from music videos to home furnishings and decor items.

"Nagel Boy" is painted on illustration board using a combination of gouache and India ink.  This painting measures approximately 20" x 22". 

Creative Influences: Patrick Nagel

One of the main creative influences on my work is American artist Patrick Nagel (November 25, 1945 – February 4, 1984).  He created popular illustrations in the 1970’s and 1980’s, most of which emphasize the simple grace and beauty of the female form.  He is best known for his illustrations that appeared in Playboy magazine.  

In 1972, he began work as a freelance artist for major corporations and magazines, including Architectural Digest, Harper's Magazine, IBM, ITT Corporation, Intel, Lucky Strike cigarettes, Ballentine Whiskey, Budweiser, MGM, Oui, Rolling Stone, United Artists and Universal Studios.  In 1976, Nagel began to regularly create images for Playboy magazine, which greatly improved his exposure and brought much attention to the highly stylized "Nagel Woman".  In 1978, he made the first of many posters for Mirage Editions.  Nagel's 1982 painting for Duran Duran's album cover "Rio" would become one of his best known images. 

According to Elena G. Millie, curator of the poster collection at the Library of Congress:
Like some of the old print masters (Toulouse-Lautrec and Bonnard, for example), Nagel was influenced by the Japanese woodblock print, with figures silhouetted against a neutral background, with strong areas of black and white and with bold lines and unusual angles of view.  He handled colors with rare originality and freedom, he forced perspective from flat, two-dimensional images and he kept simplifying, working to get more across with fewer elements.  His simple and precise imagery is also reminiscent of the art-deco style of the 1920s and 1930s- its sharp linear treatment, geometric simplicity and stylization of form yield images that are formal yet decorative.

Nagel would start with a photograph and work down, always simplifying and removing elements which he felt were unnecessary.  The resulting image would look flat, but emphasized those elements which he believed were most important.  Nagel's figures generally have black hair, white skin, full lips and the distinctive Nagel eyes, which are often squared off in his later works.  Because of the intense stylization and simplification of the facial features, the figures resemble each other, even though Nagel worked with many models, including Playboy playmates Cathy St. George, Tracy Vaccaro and Shannon Tweed.  Nagel also painted several celebrity portraits including Joan Collins (whose portrait was subsequently released as a limited edition print) and Joanna Cassidy.

Nagel did paint men, but only one was ever released as a fine art print while he was alive.  Nagel continues to have a devoted following of collectors.

Gay Pride T-Shirts

In 1992 I designed and sold T-shirts celebrating gay pride.  These 4 designs were screen printed on shirts and sold in stores from Boston to Washington, D.C.  To think that my designs would be purchased by gay men and women was an incredible thrill for me.  In addition to the shirts being sold in gay bookstores, that year I purchased a booth at New York City's Gay Pride parade and sold my T-shirts as one of the parade vendors.  That was a very cool experience.  

A few years later, I was at the NYC Gay Pride parade and noticed a woman was wearing one of my T-shirts with the designs I call "Rings" (that would be the turquoise and lavender design in the lower left corner in the above photograph).  As I approached her, I noticed the shirt was both stained and faded.  I asked her where she had gotten that shirt.  Before she could answer, her partner responded with, "Oh my God, this is her favorite shirt, she never takes it off!"  I smiled.  But she responded with a story about how she had bought the shirt a few years back at the parade from a guy who had a booth and was selling them.  I told her I was that guy, and she demanded I sign the shirt.  She whipped out a Sharpie and I signed the shirt...right on her chest.  
What an incredible thrill!  Seriously! 

Tex

 

Created back in 1990, this piece much like the painting in the previous post, also uses a recognizable geographic shape as a backdrop and main design element.   

"Tex" is painted on illustration board using a combination of gouache and India ink.  This painting measures approximately 20" x 22".

Princess

Created back in 1991, twenty years ago, this piece still remains one of my favorite paintings.  The combination of animals and people is a theme I was incorporating into my paintings back then.  And although I think this painting is very pleasing, it actually makes little sense as the tiger's range does not include the continent of Africa.

"Princess" is painted on illustration board using a combination of gouache and India ink.  This painting measures approximately 20" x 22". 

Copyright & Copyright Infringement

I’ve been thinking about what the subject of my first post should be, and although I don’t want it to be a downer, I need to talk a little about copyrights and copyright infringement.  When an artist takes the time to create something, it is usually created with much passion and dedication.  That work, should be protected.  It was created with the artist’s talent and conviction.  That work is the artist’s possession.  It belongs to the artist.  The artist owns that creation.  He should control the distribution of that artwork.

I started this blog because many of you have been asking where you can view my artwork.  I hope you all will enjoy this site, perhaps my ramblings and of course, the artwork.  I hope this blog is a place where you want to come back repeatedly to see what’s new.  

That being said, all of my work is protected by copyright laws, both domestic laws and international laws.  All artwork and images posted on this blog are protected and can not be reproduced, copied, duplicated or used in whole or in part. 

Enjoy the art and thank you for your cooperation. 

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