March 27th, 2009
I read a blog on the weburbanist.com site today titled “Amazing and Creative Book Cover Art and Design.” When I was a child, my mother used to buy me pop-up books and books with interesting covers and to this day, i claim that these things all inspired me and informed the type of artwork I do now. I still LOVE to look at books. My studio is full of them and mom still buys me books that look and feel interesting. I'll share some of them in future blogs.
It's a shame, though, that books, newspaper, magazines….all things in print…are slowly disappearing. There's an artistry to all of the print media…a creativity that will be lost when everything goes digital. I hope I will never have to miss that feeling of holding a book in my hands….of admiring the cover design….flipping through the pages…and marvelling at books that double as pieces of artwork. The blog on weburbanist shows some really amazing ones….here are a few:
–Charles
ps. What inspires YOU?
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Posted in My Art |
March 26th, 2009
I received an incredibly exciting email yesterday…from Tom Shieber, the Senior Curator at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. He wrote: “We are nearly done with the changes to our Perez-Steele Art Gallery. I thought I'd pass along some photos of your work as now seen in the gallery space. It is the very first work on the right when visitors first walk into the gallery. Right next to your work is a large-format Polaroid by David Levinthal and a few paintings down is Andy Warhol's “Tom Seaver,” part of his famous Athletes Series. Across from your piece is Norman Rockwell's “Game Called Because of Rain (Tough Call). Once again we thank you for your generous donations. Our art gallery is much the richer for it.”
I am so honored to have my work in the same hall with Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell. It's really a dream come true. Thank you, Tom, for making it happen!
–Charles
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Posted in Sports Pop Art |
March 17th, 2009
I occasionally read a blog by Alyson Stanfield that she writes for artists looking for advice on how to grow their entrepreneurial businesses. Last week, she posted a blog that i really wanted to share with you and i'm just getting around to it now. She references another blog posting on the site for Psychology Today by Michele and Robert Root-Bernstein titled “A Missing Piece of the Economic Stimulus: Hobbling Arts Hobbles Innovation.” I wanted to share the whole article with you, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be posted on the Psychology Today site any longer…so i'll just have to share the upshot with you.
I've stated before in this blog that one of my goals for 2009 is to start an Arts Education Initiative. This article makes the perfect argument for just such initiatives to be taking place all over the country. It seems that arts education is always one of the first things to get cut in school budgets…and with the current economic situation, it's happening every day. The article in Psychology Today points out just how criminal that really is. Artists are innovators…they are creative…they think outside the box….and many with “artistic” minds turn into some of the most talented technologists and scientists and inventors. If we stop nurturing that part of the brain, we'll lose an entire generation of thinkers. It's scary to think about.
Leonardo da Vinci is one case in point. He was revered as much for his scientific accomplishments and theories as he was for his artistic talents. Artists have designed architectural marvels, promoted advancements in engineering and robotics, have contributed to sociological study, and much, much more. We can't afford to ignore this type of thinking…this type of learning. That's my cause for this year and I'll be talking about it a lot more.
I've created the skeleton for the “Fazzino Arts Education Initiative” and soon i hope i'll have the occassion to share it with you….i hope to raise awareness, educate, and of course, raise funds for worthy arts education programs. I'll keep you posted.
–Charles
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Posted in Uncategorized |
March 13th, 2009
Last year, I was commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness to create the official poster for the 2008-2009 President's Challenge. The President's Challenge is a program that's been around for years…it's mostly used in the schools to get the kids moving. I remember when my daughter was in elementary school – how proud she was after she “passed” the Challenge. I eve
n think we still have her certificate in the house somewhere. Anyway, it's a wonderful program and I was proud to be a part of it.
Then along came Nerdel! He's this wonderful animated character created by doctors in Washington, DC who started a company called The Nerdel Company. Nerdel's mission is to promote physical fitness and healthy habits among children and he tries his best to lead by example! This month, i've partnered with The Nerdel Company to launch Nerdel's Fazzino Presiden't Challenge Poster Game for kids all over the country to play. I applaud the Nerdel Company for what they are working to accomplish. I'm a huge fan of healthy eating and physical fitness….i do slip up sometimes, just like Nerdel….but it's important to me. You really do have nothing if you don't have your health and i find that i just feel so much better when i'm workign out regularly and eating right. I'm glad to be part of the campaign to promote that lifestyle in others.
So, let your kids surf the net to Nerdel.com and encourage them to play the game…they can win a nifty certificate and its fun.
As my friend Christine always signs off….Yours in Health and Fitness,
–Charles
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Posted in Charity Involvement |
March 9th, 2009
Read an interesting article at Forbes.com today – http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/05/barbie-boll-art-business_art.html. I never realized the pop art hit Barbie has become….about ten years ago, a gallery …i think in Texas…asked me to do a Barbie piece. At the time, i thought it was pretty risky. I had no idea that Andy Warhol had already painted her. Very cool. The article has me wondering again…is Barbie nostalgic enough at this point to warrant a limited edition print in 3-D? I can actually picture the piece in my head….a large portrait in the middle and lots of little vignettes all around – Barbie and Ken…Barbie in the Dream Car…some of the more modern Barbies. It could be really campy and a lot of fun. But would it be a hit?
–Charles
Andy Warhol's Barbie
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Posted in Pop Culture and Entertainment Art |
March 5th, 2009
I can't believe i've been exhibiting at Art Expo New York for more than twenty years! Art Expo is sort of like Christmas … or New Year's … each time it comes around, it feels like it just happened! This year's show was very special for me because for the first time, i had the chance to really exhibit with my daughter. We premiered her new line of art, apparel, and hand-painted furniture. She's even launched her own website at crookcouture.com – you can't blame me for a little shameless promotion for my daughter on my blog! 
Actually, her work was very well received. She heard a lot of comments about having her finger on the pulse of the younger generation. Her artwork is definitely for the younger set….and i'm proud of what she's accomplished.
I enjoyed seeing many of you at the Javits center and i especially had a lot of fun watching the reactions to my diorama and big apple sculptures. They were both labors of love…new concepts…a little risky…and a lot of fun to do! I'd love to hear from those of you who were there…what did you like best from my new collection? I'd love some feedback.
–Charles
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Posted in Contemporary Art News |
