The Art Of Nate Giorgio

MJ Figurative Ink

Nate Giorgio — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:42:42 +0000

Trying to capture MJ with just a few strokes in black ink. This sketch was drawn during the time I designed the Opus cover and you can see how similar the Opus cover is to this drawing. I drew about 30 in this style, all different dance poses and moves using just a few strokes to keep the art fresh and flowing. The brush is a classic thick Japanese sumi ink brush that is always on my board, a favorite brush I bought when I was in Japan.

Sheet Music Sketch

Nate Giorgio — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:05 +0000

Found this quick sketch of MJ I painted on printed sheet music. I used to do a number of these fast studies on all of MJ’s lyrics and always wanted to put together a book covering his music. This sketch was drawn in ink using a bold chinese brush to get that figurative look. Later I added color washes to bring out the details and add some pop to the art.

Alternate Opus Cover

Nate Giorgio — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:08:49 +0000

Thought I’d share with you a rare graphic I submitted to the Opus crew in London when we were designing the cover of The Michael Jackson Opus. Of course the Opus team ended up using my Asian inspired ink painting of Michael’s silhouette, but I always loved this design and I wanted to share it with MJ fans. I first drew a renaissance style crayon drawing of Michael’s head in a sketchy loose style, trying to capture the look of an elegant studio crest from the renaissance. I worked closely with the great designer Roger Hubbard, a master with graphics and text to come up with a unique cover idea. Roger did a fantastic job adding in the text and tweaking the cover design and I thought for sure the art would be used for the cover. In the end, it was the ink painting on the red linen that the London designers chose to go with. Let me know which design you like best…

And The Winner Is…

Nate Giorgio — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:51:47 +0000

It is a real pleasure for me to announce that Sue Nichols is the winner of the “MJ Art Giveaway Contest.” It was a very close finish and I chose her entry out of 85 comments received from true Michael Jackson fans and art lovers from around the world. Sue, who started “Michael Jackson’s Legacy” along with 5 other very dedicated fans, are building an orphanage in Liberia for homeless children in Michael’s memory. This will be called “Everland” and they will auction off the art to help with much needed funding. They set up a fantastic website and I hope all of you will check it out and help in some way: www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org Sue, along with the school, will receive a few of my originals to help raise money to make their dreams come true, my heartfelt thanks to Sue and her staff for all the hard work they’ve done with the Everland School. Congratulations Sue!

I also want to thank all of the wonderful fans who entered; I received many outstanding stories and heart-to-heart messages from so many of you. Because it was very difficult to pick just 1 winner, and I felt so many deserved this award, I selected 5 more people who will receive a beautiful mini portfolio set of 5 of my finest portraits of Michael called Love Always.

So once again-I thank everyone for taking the time to send in all your wonderful comments, I enjoyed reading every message. Please stay tuned for the next contest…I’ll be giving away my MJ original painted tees and scarves. -Nate

Below is the winning message from Sue Nichols:

First off let me just say that your work is exquisite. The one of Michael with the children touches my heart like no other. Although it would be a dream to own one of your beautiful paintings of Michael, and be able to enjoy the beauty of it in my home, I would have to say that I would use it for something different.

I am involved in a project called: Michael Jackson’s Legacy (www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org) , along with 5 other very dedicated fans, and we are building an orphanage in Liberia for homeless children in Michael’s memory. This will be called “Everland”…what I would like to do with the painting, is either auction it off to help with the much needed funding. We are hoping to be able to start the building by Michael’s birthday, and would love to be able to see the doors open for the children by next Christmas….. or better yet, when the project is completed, I WOULD LOVE to be able to see it hang in EVERLAND for all the children to be able to enjoy, and see the true beauty of the man, for whom this project was created. It’s very important to us to be able to carry on Michael’s love for children, and be able to show the world what a wonderful Humanitarian he was. So you see, either way, this picture would do something wonderful for so many people.

Thank you for reading this, Sue Nichols

From A Collector

Nate Giorgio — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:46:45 +0000

Received this beautiful photograph from a collector who framed an original painting of Michael Jackson. I painted the commission a little while ago and they had it framed in a clean contemporary frame. The portrait was sketched in charcoal on prepared stretched canvas first, then I washed some soft strokes over the charcoal for shadows and depth. Later I added copper leaf and pure white thick paint for highlights. I think the canvas is around 16 x 20 inches.

MJ IN ITALY

Nate Giorgio — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:36:24 +0000

In 1988, Michael invited me to be his guest on the BAD Tour that began in Italy. We had private tours of many of the museums in Florence to see the great Michelangelo’s work. The Italian authorities actually shut down parts of the Vatican to give us a private tour, including The Sistine Chapel. While Michael and I were looking at Michelangelo’s David, I stepped away and snapped this photo of Michael. We went on to have a tour of the castings from art students and the academy in an adjacent room.

Art At The Getty Museum

Nate Giorgio — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:35:12 +0000

I recently visited The Getty Center Museum here in Los Angeles, and when I saw this beautiful drawing I almost fell over. The drawing was part of the “Images Of The Artist” side exhibition and showcased an incredible selection of works on paper. This study was drawn in ink and chalk by Charles Samuel Keene, around 1845, a British artist. It was hands down the most beautiful drawing I’ve seen in a long time.

New Elvis Art For Merchandise

Nate Giorgio — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:29:01 +0000

Just finished a large painting for The Bradford Exchange, Graceland, and the Estate of Elvis Presley. Bradford will be producing collectible items in the new year authorized by the estate and Graceland. I’ve been creating art for the industry for many years and this Elvis piece will be the latest to be reproduced on a variety of products.

Frank Sinatra Cover Art

Nate Giorgio — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:21:24 +0000

Here’s a new portrait I finished of Frank Sinatra. It was being considered for the CD cover of the new Sinatra box set “BEST OF THE BEST”. I tried to sneak this art in before the deadline but unfortunately it was too late when I finished. I worked straight through for 4 days doing this portrait getting that renaissance style soft look. Some projects just don’t work out like you hope…I love Sinatra’s music so I was trying everything to get the package art. The record company ended up using a photograph of Frank on the cover. Maybe I’ll get lucky and snag the next cover!