Artist Jeff Gagliardi – Atypical Etch Artist and Painter
Artist Jeff Gagliardi has earned a name for himself with a most unconventional method to create ‘etch art’. He replicates masterpieces by means you’ve likely not heard of, manipulating an ordinary ‘tool’ that you possibly toyed with as a baby boomer — the Etch A Sketch.
Not owning one as a child, Jeff Gagliardi of Boulder, Colorado, had never used an Etch-A-Sketch until he was a college student at the School of Visual Arts in New York about 35 years ago in the early 1970’s.
“I did a drawing of the Taj Mahal complete with reflecting pools. Quite frankly, I didn’t think it was a big deal, but my family wouldn’t let me erase it.”
“From that point on it became apparent that I had some sort of gift for drawing on this silly little toy — people would walk past the serious work I was doing as a painter and want to see the Etch-A-Sketches.”
Since then Jeff has created countless sketches and continues to enjoy distinct recognition. His Etch-A-Sketch Art has been displayed at the Denver Art Museum and the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, as well as galleries around the US.
He’s been a guest on several ABC and NBC news shows including Good Morning America, and his Etch-A-Sketch artwork has appeared in numerous publications including People Magazine, USA Today and Omni Magazine.
Jeff Gagliardi calls Etch-A-Sketch Art “a quintessential American art form, where the medium truly is the message.”
“I love creating works that you wouldn’t expect to see — like a reproduction of a Renaissance master’s work, or the corner of a five dollar bill. It’s a totally familiar subject, but it now has an element of disbelief.”
His sketches typically command between $1,000 and $1,500 US each, after he makes them ’shake-proof’.
Not to be overshadowed by his ‘etch art’ is Jeff’s aptitude for his artworks in paint.
Jeff Gagliardi also runs a graphic design and marketing communications business when he doesn’t have his hands full with an Etch A Sketch. Visit Jeff on his website to see more of his works, where he can also be contacted for commissioned work.
The Etch A Sketch dates back nearly 50 years. Invented by Arthur Granjean, it was picked up at a European toy fair in 1959 by Ohio Art company president HWWinzeler who licensed it and launched the toy a year later, reports Metro.
Related stories:
Jay Lonewolf Morales – Colorblind Painter Extraordinaire
Kim Barker – Award Winning Artist and Painter
Awesome!! Etch A Sketch was long after my time, I had to use bits of flint on the cave walls
The pictures he has created are simply amazing, it just goes to show that an artist can use so many mediums for creativity.
That is awesome! My god, I can hardly draw a square on one of those things!
Funny (and interesting!) how people can find odd talents like that. He really is awesome at it
Perhaps you should inform me of locations for your etchings in caves Colin. I could become rich and famous if I was able to devulge the news to the scientists, archeologists and media
I’d be in the same boat as both of you Colin and Laura, I’d be lucky to simply maneuver the knobs
He really is Captain. I included some of his paintings so others could see other aspects of his talent, because I felt it was being ignored and overshadowed by his Etch art.
how distinctive… Deborah…..
who would have thought that such a simple tool….could produce these amazing works…….
wonderful colours and design in his paintings too !!!!
It certainly wouldn’t have occurred to me to create a piece of artwork on an Etch A Sketch, Kim.
For more outstanding and high unusual art work done on an Etch A Sketch, feel free to visit my site. I’m currently in the process of updating all my photos from my flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/etcha/) and have been completing new work at a rate of two-three per month. Be prepared to be amazed……….
Etcha, you certainly do have talent. I really like your mystical pieces in particular. Perhaps I could do a feature on you some time in the near future.
I never could do more than a stick man or a doodle. Not even on paper. The Etch A Sketch wasn’t my favorite toy.
I enjoyed the toy as a kid myself, but never became very adept at it. At least not to do anything of this sort
I really appreciate all kinds of all works! Hope to have that kind of talent!