Ethel Merman

Born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann in Astoria, Queens, Merman was known for her powerful, belting alto voice, precise enunciation, and accurate pitch. Starting out in the height of vaudeville she became a star performing in the Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" singing "I Got Rhythm" and the rest is show business history.

No other star has ever had Broadway shows written specifically for them by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Needless to say, there has never been another performer like her.

I chose to draw her in the title role of "Annie Get your Gun" where she introduced the song "There's No Business Like Show Business" to the world. Perhaps Merman's most revered performance was in "Gypsy" as Gypsy Rose Lee's domineering mother Rose. Merman lost the Tony Award that year to Mary Martin, who was playing Maria in The Sound of Music. "How can you buck a nun?" joked Merman.

I always remember her being around doing guest spots on "The Love Boat" and "The Match Game" when I was a kid and of course "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", but I think most people from my generation remember her cameo role in the film "Airplane" where she spoofed herself playing a solider with a head wound who thinks he is Ethel Merman.

I hope I have done her justice.

Kitty Carlisle Hart 1910-2007

Kitty Carlisle Hart died yesterday, she was 96.

She was a truly remarkable woman and as much of a dominant structure in NYC as the Empire State Building. Not long before her death, she was declared a Living Landmark by the state. She was married to the famed director, writer, producer Moss Hart in 1946.

Besides being an actor and a singer, in 1971 Nelson Rockefeller appointed her vice chairperson of the New York State Council for the Arts. She became chairperson in 1976 and it was in this role that she had her greatest impact on the arts. She was a frequent guest on the game show "To Tell the Truth." and had a starring role in the film "A Night at the Opera" with the Marx Brothers.

I had the privilege of meeting Kitty on two seperate occasions . She wore a Chanel suit (one salmon colored, one candy apple red) both times in a room full of dark suits. Needless to say she knew how to stand out! Gracious and kind and having a beautiful singing voice well into her nineties she was a star in the truest sense. She was also known for her famous hairstyle that she had for most of her career.

John Paul II

I did this a while back, but I just came across it. It was Ok and I thought to post it.

I need to do a new drawing of the current Pope....now THAT's a face!

A Proper Cup of Tea......in Color!

A Proper Cup of Tea......

Jessica Yeomans

This is the work of Jessica Yeomans, one of my most talented and promising students. She aspires to be a character artist and is well on her way. A dilligent student and a wonderful person who has a great future in store. Please check out her new blog by clicking on her name up above or in the menu to the right.

Elf 2

Just a quick watercolor of the same drawing. I did it on beautiful paper I got in Venice and it is so soft and wonderful, it is like painting on absorbant fabric. The paper does all the work.

Elf

Just playing with a different style.

Aleks Shineleva

Aleks Shineleva is one of my most prolific and dilligent students. She has started her own blogspot, so please check her work out!

Worried?

YOU GO GORE!!

Gore and Green seemed to be the BUZZ words at the Oscars last night.....so, I thought I would combine the two.

Callan Molinari

This is the work of one of the brightest young illustators in my class, Callan Molinari. She is destined for a long and wonderful career in illustration. I love her work and a sweeter person you will not find. Please check out her delightful and charming blog by clicking on her name above, it will link you directly!

Homage to Sargent

John Singer Sargent believed that work was a form of prayer, in fact on his tombstone it is written "laborare est orare" which simply tanslates from Latin as "to work is to pray". This man worked at his craft, day in and day out from the age of 14. One day I hope someone makes a film of his life because it is an amazing and inspiring story. The painting is "Lady with the Rose (Charlotte Louise Burckhardt)" in the Metropolitan.

This was drawn this past Summer.

Gravity

Or the effects thereof.....

Sal

This is a caricature I did of my teacher and friend Sal Catalano a few years back. Of course the people who know him will appreciate this the most because I feel it is very much like him, but I think as a drawing it worked really well too. I just came across it and thought I should post it.

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Depending on who you ask, this year is the year of the pig or the boar...so with that said I did not discriminate. According to Chinese astrology, people born in pig years are polite, honest, hardworking and loyal.

The Art of Disney: Magic

The USPS decided to release a fourth set of stamps with our beloved Disney characters, this time showing more of their magical side. These were done last summer and the images have been released to the public in anticipation of their formal release in August for purchasing.



I like the Mickey image the best and they are using him as part of their advertising for this years collectible stamps. This is also the first time Mickey has ever appeared on a stamp by himself, so I suppose it is kind of a big deal. When the release date is set (all I know is August right now and I have no idea which Disney park the ceremony will be at) I will post it.

Crash!....well, almost!

For Illustration Friday.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Done in a hurry, but done nonetheless!

This is the image I created for Jared's Valentine's Day card.

Recent cafe and train trips