Although I usually only write about comics art, it's worth taking a look at the textured paintings of Paul Bozzo. Both of our local newspapers have articles about Paul this week (
here and
here). Even though I already knew him, I learned a lot about his unique textured paintings.
This artists makes paintings on masonite panels using drywall joint compound. He uses just about everything you can imagine to create textures.
Like a lot of artists, a key element of the art comes from childhood experience,
As a child the artist had small, plastic toys of cowboys, which featured a
saddle that appeared only as lines in the plastic and weren't painted. A friend
of Bozzo's noticed he could make the saddle appear more visible if he rubbed
paint onto the toy. From that experience, Bozzo developed his art later in life.
"Who knows what's in your mind that you might use for something else one day,"
Bozzo told the students.
From what I have read about a lot of artists, it's not unusual for something
that intrigues that artist in childhood becomes something they revisit in
their art again and again. That's why I consider it an honor and a trust
to present children with experiences and opportunities that just might
lead to a lifetime of enjoyment in art.
Check out more of this artist's work at
Bozzo Art.
Last night the boys and I went to see the first of the summer superhero movies. Some of the critics are saying that this is the best of the comic movies so far. I'd say it's at least in the top 3. I really like how they didn't stray too far from the original comic book stories, but they did make some changes to make it contemporary. For instance, in the comics, his foes were the "commies" in the Viet Cong. In the movie he is captured by terrorists in the Middle East. I think anyone who likes action movies would enjoy it even if they've never read any of the comics. However, there are some cool details only nerds will notice. I caught every one! I always especially enjoying the Stan Lee cameos in every Marvel movie.
