View from the Couch

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recent Screen stories/ reviews: 6/25/2003 Wings and a Prayer 6/25/2003 View from the Couch 6/25/2003 That Guy! 6/18/2003 HULK SMASH! 6/18/2003 View from the Couch 6/11/2003 Four of Hearts 6/4/2003 Letter Rip 6/4/2003 Gus Van Sant Scores View from the Couch Home Video Treasure --Frazetta: Painting with Fire BY DAVID WALKER dwalker@wweek.com (503) 243-2122 _____ The name Frank Frazetta is seldom mentioned along with the likes of Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock or Andy Warhol.

But when it comes to artists whose work resonates with unbridled passion and whose influence can be tracked in nearly every facet of pop culture, no one can hold a candle to Frazetta. He is arguably the most influential artist of the past half-century, blurring the line between fine and commercial art. Even those who don't know who Frazetta is have no doubt either seen his work or seen something directly influenced by him.

Born in New York City in 1928, Frazetta began painting as a child and soon emerged as a prodigy. By the time he was 16, he was working professionally as an illustrator, mostly drawing comic books. Frazetta moved on to commercial illustrations in the early '60s, when he ventured to Hollywood and began producing ... more. less.

art for movie posters. But his greatest fame would come when he began turning out highly detailed paintings that would grace the covers of fantasy and science-fiction books and magazines. Horror magazines like Creepy frequently were graced with haunting images from the mind of Frazetta, as were the covers to Tarzan books. But what Frazetta is best known for are his depictions of Robert E. Howard's character Conan the Barbarian. Filmmaker Lance Laspina's wonderful documentary Painting with Fire profiles Frazetta's life and career, interviewing friends, family and fans. Laspina follows the still-vital Frazetta back to his old Brooklyn stomping grounds, where the fantasy-art icon, along with his childhood friends, recalls his youth. Throughout the film Laspina weaves in images of Frazetta's artwork, making his paintings and drawings living characters in this engrossing film. The thing that works best about Laspina's film is that it will appeal to people who've never heard of Frazetta or seen his art. Painting with Fire is, above all, a finely realized portrait of an interesting man. Search WWeek.com If you have trouble finding Frazetta: Painting with Fire at local video stores, go to www.cinemachine.net . Originally published Wednesday, July 02, 2003 Respond to this story View current posts there are currently 0 posts. Message Subject Message Your Name Your email address post

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