Pumpkin Still Life - Homage to Jon Gnagy
by Brian Wallace
Title
Pumpkin Still Life - Homage to Jon Gnagy
Artist
Brian Wallace
Medium
Painting - Tempra On Paper
Description
An image of a still life done in tempera paint.
Homage to Jon Gnagy...
Jon Gnagy, known to millions as America's first television art teacher, was born near Pretty Prairie, Kansas in 1907. At eleven, Jon began drawing and painting without instruction, winning prizes at the Kansas State Fair. Attention each year at the Fair brought him an offer from Tulsa, Oklahoma where at seventeen, he accepted a position of art director with a public relations firm. Then Jon moved his young family to Wichita. There he wrote and illustrated advertising for aircraft companies.
Determined to hit the "big time" or "bust" he left during the Depression for New York at age 24. The second day he landed a finished art contract for full page ads to run in the Saturday Evening Post and Fortune Magazine. During WW II, in Philadelphia, Jon served as Art Director for the War Service Committee. His experience in training led to lecture demonstrations many colleges.
When television began broadcasting to the public, Jon was the first act on the first commercial television show ever, broadcast May 14, 1946. It was seen by about 200 viewers living within 80 miles of NBC's tower atop the Empire State Building. Later, Jon's show would reach millions. If you watched television during the 1940s, '50s or '60s, you likely recall Jon Gnagy, the engaging art teacher who assured folks that anyone could draw.
"Ball....cube.....cylinder....cone." Jon would say "By using these four shapes, I can draw any picture I want. And so can you!" Jon's trim Vandyke beard, smile and plaid shirt were his trademarks. Through syndication into the 60's, it was viewed by millions of folks across the U.S. and internationally. In the early 1960's Visual Art Industries, the company making Jon's art sets was merged with F. Weber Co.
Jon continued to create new TV and video products, to teach, lecture and demonstrate at trade and consumer shows. Jon died 1981, but today, his legacy lives on through countless artists and just plain folks who credit him with teaching them to 'Learn to Draw.' His sets are still featured in art, craft and hobby retailers, mail order catalogs and on the Internet, today.
Uploaded
May 13th, 2011
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Comments (36)
Gary F Richards
Congratulations on your Top Finish in the contest… CHANNELING THE ARTISTIC STYLE OF THE OLD MASTERS O...! F/L
Gary F Richards
Spectacular Pumpkin Still Life Homage composition, lighting, shading, excellent colors and artwork! F/L voted
Gary F Richards
Outstanding homage to Gnagy composition, lighting, shading, lovely color and artwork! F/L voted
Carol Senske
F/L. Your wonderful image is featured in Welcome Fine Artists group today, October 18, 2021. It is perfect for today’s theme of “Pumpkins, Squash, Gourds and other harvest images”. Thank you so much for sharing!
Brian Wallace replied:
Thank you so much for the L/F and feature in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/welcome-fine-artists.html I appreciate it very much!
Carolyn LeGrand
Jon lives on and has touched so many. This was great of Jon's granddaughter and a face mask no less for her mother. That photo must be so great. Thanks for sharing!
Carolyn LeGrand
Brian the one artist that got me started loving drawing and the use of charcoal was the great Jon Gnagy. Many years ago I would watch his show on Saturday mornings. I even sent away for his artist packet which had different scenes and how to create each one. I loved him so much! Years later I found his daughter and wrote to her. She sent me a calendar of his artwork. So when I saw your excellent reproduction of his artwork I just had to vote for you. Thank you for sharing this painting and giving me warm memories once again. F/L
Brian Wallace replied:
Thanks Carolyn, for your thoughtful comment and of course for the contest vote and L/F. About a year ago Jon's granddaughter ordered a face mask of this piece for her mother who is in her 90's now. They emailed me a picture of her with the mask on. They were very pleased that Jon's remembered in this way and I was elated they contacted me and for the bit of interaction we had all because of Jon's influence when I was a kid. Needless to say, I was surprised and thrilled!
Laurel Adams
Brian I love your entries ALL...PLEASE consider expanding your aesthetic observations on colour ...in its subtleties...value-hue-saturation the similarities/ differences of experience in Your many media. You have experienced this relationship thru traditional, digital and photographic Arts and I would love to hear your take in the contest thread if you have the time to share?
Laurel Adams
Brian, what a LIGHT FILLED, Colourfully bold painting...Thank you for gracing this contest (in tribute to Kathy Braud’s aesthetic) with your exquisite entry ....v...BEST to you
Brian Wallace replied:
You're always kind with your comments and votes Laurel. Thanks for your kindness and support. :)
Brian Wallace
Thanks Yolanda Lee, for featuring my work in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/positive-energy-.html
Brian Wallace
Thanks Lyric Lucas, for featuring my work in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/out-of-the-ordinary-1-a-day-.html
Brian Wallace
Thanks David Dehner, for featuring my work in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/gentlemen-club-art-group.html
Brian Wallace
Thanks Lyric Lucas, for featuring my work in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/bedroom-art-gallery-.html
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Brian Wallace replied:
Thanks John, for the nice comment, fave, and feature in the group, https://fineartamerica.com/groups/images-that-excite-you.html
Gary F Richards
Such an inspiring piece! I am so glad Liz Seymour approved! Beautiful! Fl tfb
Brian Wallace replied:
Thank Gary, for the nice comment and L/F/t/fb. I appreciate it very much and thanks for reading about Liz Seymour. :)
LEANNE SEYMOUR
Fabulous artwork Brian and congrats on your sale! f/l/fb
Brian Wallace replied:
Thank you Leanne, for the nice comment and f/l/fb. I appreciate it very much. :)
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