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You may have read about Etch-a-Sketch guru George Vlosich III right here back in June, when his talent for painstaking dial-twiddling seemed rare, his monochrome portraits of presidents and basketball players one-of-a-kind. But that was three months ago. Now a new Etch-a-Sketch sensation has captured the world’s attention (or at least the Daily Mail’s) and is giving young George a veritable run for his money.
Jeff Gagliardi is his name, and he lives in Colorado and has been Sketch’n for more than 30 years. (That’s him to the right, holding a Sketch of himself holding a Sketch of himself holding … you get it.) The difference between Gagliardi and Vlosich is that the former takes real masterworks of art as his subject, and while any fool can trace a great picture, reproducing Van Gogh on an Etch-a-Sketch takes real talent. (First of all, the picture has to be drawn sideways, which involves creating dots and lines that often seem to have no relation to one another until the work is finished. Moreover, the resolution on the Sketch is such that paintings have to be edited — certain details omitted, others enhanced — in order for them to read properly. Also, if you tilt the thing, your work is ruined.) Enough chatter, let’s get to the art! (For more, check out Gagliardi’s website.)
This is an example of someone who has WAY too much time on his hands . . .
posted by Terry on 9-18-2007 at 8:30 am
Those are unbelievable. Check out the eggs on his website. I wonder if he had to partially erase his lines so that each egg stood by itself?
posted by Dusty on 9-18-2007 at 10:00 am
How does he store them? How does he transport them to museums and shows? So many questions…so few answers.
posted by SpaceMonkeyX on 9-18-2007 at 10:52 am
SpaceMonkeyX,
I think he emptys out the remaining particles (can’t remember what they are called) with drill holes. As for making sure the image doesn’t dissappear, I’m going to guess some kind of spray on glue.
Maybe the kind that Elwood Blues uses as it is, “Strong stuff”.
posted by Dusty on 9-18-2007 at 11:58 am
Etch-a-Sketch was one of my favorite toys as a kid. Alas, I could only manage to draw things that had right angles! I’m amazed with his depth of detail.
posted by Cyndi on 9-18-2007 at 2:58 pm
In answer to Dusty, we in the industry prefer the term Magic Dust over Etch-A-Sketch toner. In fact, now might be the perfect time to get in on the ground floor of the after-market for replacement Etch-A-Sketch Magic Dust. It’s mostly powdered aluminum, which can be recycled for use in everything from dirigible dope to radiator sealer to holiday fireworks. Aluminum powder is even used in instant hot chocolate mix to keep it from clumping.
posted by Marco McClean on 9-18-2007 at 2:58 pm
I can’t get into it.
It’s too…linear
posted by Dead Milkmaid on 9-18-2007 at 3:34 pm
Glad to see some Etch-a-Sketch artists getting some serious critical attention. If you want to check out my pop-art pieces, dig the website: etchasketchist.blogspot.com
I take requests and do submitted portraits for free!
posted by Etchasketchist on 9-19-2007 at 2:34 pm
For something a little more unusual and unconventional, take a look at some of the work I’ve done at the flickr site.
My perm site should be updated and redesigned within the month. (That’ll be Etcha.net)
-Etcha’
posted by Etcha' on 9-20-2007 at 8:47 am