June 21, 2009: DEATH ON THE NILE sketches!

My friend David Edward Byrd just sent me these scans of two long-lost preliminary sketches Amsel did for the DEATH ON THE NILE poster! The first of these (below left) presents an entirely different alternate design from the one that was used (below right).

Thanks, David!

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May 24, 2009: AMSEL RECEIVES SILVER STAR AWARD

Michael Amsel informs me that Richard has been awarded the University of the Arts' SILVER STAR AWARD for outstanding alumni. The announcement was made during the university's commencement last Thursday, and is available for viewing as an on-demand webcast.

May 12, 2009: THE ART OF BOB PEAK TO BE FEATURED IN UPCOMING EXHIBIT

Some tangential "Amsel" news...and certainly something to interest both poster artists and art admirers!

One of the most imaginative and prolific illustrators of the 20th century, Bob Peak revolutionized advertising in the film industry and is considered the "father of the modern movie poster." His work for such films as CAMELOT, MY FAIR LADY, SUPERMAN, EXCALIBUR, STAR TREK I-V, and APOCALYPSE NOW possessed a signature style -- and a painting technique that was very, very much his own.

In addition to work in the film industry, Peak illustrated 45 covers of Time Magazine - including the well-known portrait of Mother Teresa, now featured in the National Portrait Gallery Smithsonian Institution along with his paintings of Anwar Sadat and Marlon Brando.

Next month, Gallery Nucleus will feature a collection of Peak's original artwork, in addition to a rare selection of iconic movie posters and advertising work. This will indeed be a rare and exciting opportunity to view in person, a massive retrospective into the range and versatility of a 20th Century Master...an artist who Richard Amsel himself greatly admired.

THE ART OF BOB PEAK
June 6, 2009 - June 23, 2009
Gallery Nucleus
210 East Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
ph 626.458.7477

OPENING RECEPTION:
Saturday, June 6th, 7 - 11pm

Gallery website: http://www.bobpeak.com/events/BP_WorldPremiereLA_2009.html
Artist's website: http://bobpeak.com

It's sad knowing that the exhibit will be coming to an end next week, but Dorian Hannaway shared some happier news with me this morning: a link to this wonderful review by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Two news items about the exhibit have popped up: first, a nice writeup from Philadelphia Weekly, and Dorian Hannaway's radio interview this morning with Sirius channel 109. (I'm trying to get my hands on a clip of the broadcast -- can anyone help?)

I've been working like crazy to catch up on recent updates, and am finally able to pass along this great news...

The Illustration House gallery in New York is auctioning a small number of Amsel's original illustrations, including some from the collection of Michael Amsel. Having spoken to Michael and Illustration House president Roger T. Reed, I'm happy to help spread the word so that would-be collectors may seize this rare opportunity.

Reed writes:

Most visual artists tend to repeat themselves, in style or substance, and this is only fair as they need to put food on the table, and will be inclined to recycle that which was previously successful. I have high respect for an artist who has the courage to to perform without a safety net, and uses new graphic devices, radical compositions, crazy materials, and styles that draw upon all of the history of design.

As a student of illustration history, I enjoy seeing that in one picture, Richard is channelling Coles Phillips, and in another, it’s Earl Moran. But it’s unfair to think of him as an imitator; it’s more as if, faced with a blank canvas and the challenge to reinvent his work yet again, he took one of his heroes as a point of departure, but it always led back to Amsel and his own radically fresh vision.

These are some works included in the auction:

In adding these pieces to my site, I felt it was important to distinguish Amsel's personal portfolio and school projects from his "canon" of official movie poster works. Therefore, Amsel's conceptual illustrations for films such as Ryan's Daughter and Oliver! will reside under a new MISC. WORKS gallery page, which also includes his book and magazine cover illustrations, and ads.

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April 25, 2009: PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBIT

I'm happy to share some photos taken last week of the exhibit, its preparation, and David Byrd's wonderful lecture. You can find them on the newly created THE EXHIBIT page, which also includes information on the catalogs and archival prints affiliated with the event.

David Edward Byrd at the podium inside Hamilton Hall.

April 23, 2009

Here I am helping to paint the walls of the "Raiders room", part of the Richard Amsel art exhibit that opened last week.

I soon hope to post some photos from the exhibit's opening last week, as well as David Byrd's wonderful lecture. In the meantime, enjoy this snapshot of yours truly from Monday, April 13th, as I was helping to paint one of more elaborate areas of the gallery. (I'm probably a mere 3 or 4 feet off the ground, but grew nervous with each step up that wobbly ladder.)

Once again, Amsel fan Scot Ryersson has unearthed a little gem. This alternate image (below) of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS was taken from a CD cover for "Poirot Goes to the Movies." Scot states that Amsel was asked to modify Lauren Bacall's portrait for the final poster.

Thanks again, Scot!

April 21, 2009

This retrospective catalog is extremely limited in quantity, and is the definitive resource on Amsel's work.

I'm back in L.A. for three days, and already I'm terribly missing the east coast. There's just too much for me to write about in just one sitting; I'll be making extensive updates over the next few weeks, including a new page specifically about the exhibit, and a special auction of Amsel originals from Illustration House.

In the meantime, here are some significant happenings:

• The Associated Press did a writeup on the exhibit, now circulated everywhere from Kansas to Canada! Here's a link to the article, as featured on Philadelphia's The Journal-Standard.

• Art and movie fans now have the opportunity to purchase special ARCHIVAL PRINTS of Richard Amsel's famous illustrations for:
  • RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1982 rerelease)
  • MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
  • FLASH GORDON

    First time available to the public, these beautiful, limited edition of 1000 each, high quality, full color digital prints are made from high resolution digital image files color matched to the original illustration art and printed using archival paper and inks.

Each print measures 13" x 19", and costs $60.00 + shipping & handling. (University of the Arts students receive a discounted price of $35.00.) These are not reproductions of the final movie posters, but of Amsel's original art -- without the text and titles. CLICK HERE for an order form.

• And now...the definitive resource of the artist's work! To coincide with the exhibit, The University of the Arts has produced a special catalog, RICHARD AMSEL: A RETROSPECTIVE (pictured above). This beautiful, 48-page book features color illustrations of highlights from the exhibit, some of which have never before been published. (Not even on this site!)

  Also included are personal tributes to Amsel (from such noted celebrities as Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin), biographical information on the artist, and a comprehensive list of all his official movie posters and TV Guide covers.

  You can contact The University of the Arts for more information.

April 11, 2009

I'm literally halfway out the door to leave for the airport when I checked my computer one last time, and found the "Indycast" podcast now online.

CLICK HERE to listen to my interview on the INDYCAST!

The web podcast, a discussion of all things Indiana Jones, was a lot of fun to do. Host Ed Dolista and I spoke on the phone for nearly an hour, and unfortunately I was on the verge of a sneezing fit for a large part of that time.

Did Ed edit my sneeze out as promised? You'll just have to listen to the show to find out...

April 10, 2009

Two days ago The Philadelphia Daily News featured an article about the Amsel exhibit. You can read it HERE.

April 4, 2009

David Edward Byrd just sent me this flyer regarding his upcoming lecture at the Amsel exhibit:

Also, last week I was interviewed by Ed Dolista for the INDYCAST, to discuss Richard Amsel's life and career. The web podcast, a discussion of all things Indiana Jones, is expected to air around Saturday, April 11, and because I'll be heading out to Philadelphia that week for the exhibit, I won't be able to update the site until my return. I'll also be doing a follow up interview in May, so there's more to come.

March 27, 2009

Fellow fan and collector Scot Ryersson kindly provided me with some images of Amsel's early work, including book and album covers. Particularly impressive is Amsel's drawing of Robert Redford for Argosy Magazine! (Right.)

I'm sure there's more to be found from this period in the artist's career, so if any of you find anything, please...pass it on!

Thanks again, Scot, for your wonderful emails.

March 4, 2009

With the exhibit soon to open, I'm looking to update and improve this site as much as possible. This includes:

• New comments in the tribute article from Richard's sister, Marsha Lee, with whom I spoke late last year.
• Additional art added to the galleries, as well as some higher-quality scans from new sources. This will be an ongoing project over the next few weeks.
• The creation of a new FACEBOOK "appreciation group", to help spread the word about the exhibit.
• Finally, a transcript of Michael Amsel's heartfelt eulogy for his late brother, given during Richard's funeral service on November 19, 1985. Michael had very graciously mailed me a copy along with the Marilyn Monroe artwork last September.

February 26, 2009

Why oh why did I never hear about this before? Jerry Alten's book THE ART OF TV GUIDE, from Bangzoom Publishers -- a definite must-read for any admirer of Amsel's work, and certainly for any fan of illustration. From AMAZON:

Jerry Alten started as Art Director of TV Guide in 1967, and for almost 50 years he engaged the world's greatest illustrators to provide the artwork for the pages of the widest circulated magazine in the world. Unlike entertainment magazines today, the digest-sized magazine relied almost solely on illustration, and in many cases, it helped to support the careers of many of the illustrators. Artists ranged from Norman Rockwell to Charles Addams, Edward Gorey to Andy Worhol. Jerry Alten provides a view behind-the-scenes of a magazine that featured some of America's greatest celebrities, the artist who painted them, and the interesting, highly entertaining, and sometimes outrageous interactions between subject, artist, and art director. The book is also a nostalgic look at the people who helped make the medium what it is today.

February 25, 2009

The University of the Arts' website now features a press release touting the upcoming exhibit, and some never before published sketches that are to be part of the showcase. To help them get the word out, I've redirected this site's former domain name (www.RichardAmsel.com) to the university's address. Here's their press release:

'Richard Amsel: A Retrospective' at Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery

Native Philadelphian and university alumnus created “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and many other movie posters

PHILADELPHIA (February 13, 2009) – To mark the acquisition of the more than 500-piece collection of illustrations and sketches of alumnus Richard Amsel, The University of the Arts will present "Richard Amsel: A Retrospective” at its Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery (333 S. Broad St., Philadelphia) from April 15 – May 14.

The exhibition showcases more than 50 works from the world’s largest collection of Amsel sketches and illustrations. The show includes preliminary studies for “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” movie posters; Bette Midler album covers and posters; TV Guide cover portraits of Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson and Katharine Hepburn, and never-before exhibited or published sketches providing a glimpse into Amsel’s process – from initial sketches through finished art. The exhibition and catalogue have been made possible by a grant from the Richard C. von Hess Foundation.

A 1969 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art (now The University of the Arts), Amsel created some of the most recognizable, iconic show business-related imagery of the late 20th century before he died in 1985. His “AMSEL” signature can be found on posters for more than 30 major motion pictures, close to 40 TV Guide cover illustrations and numerous album covers and concert posters.

A close friend of Amsel’s and the director of Late Night Programming at CBS Television in Los Angeles for 15 years, Dorian Hannaway donated the collection and designated it as a teaching resource for the university.

“I believe University of the Arts students will be inspired by seeing Richard’s original work,” Hannaway said. “My hope is that it will educate future generations of artists. I’m grateful that the university is preserving his art as well as maintaining the legacy of one of its famous alumni.”

Once catalogued and conserved, the collection will be made available to scholars and researchers of illustration, film, television and American pop culture of the 1970s and ’80s. Ultimately, the retrospective will be made available to travel to other universities, libraries and museums.

The staging of the retrospective is a collaborative effort among University of the Arts Museum Studies students and faculty and entertainment business professionals. Joe Stewart of the Emmy Award-winning Shaffner/Stewart team, set designer for “Friends,” “Two and a Half Men” and “Rachael Ray,” designed the multimedia environment housing the exhibit.

The University of the Arts is the nation’s first and only university dedicated to the visual, performing and communication arts. Its 2,300 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus in the heart of Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. The institution’s roots as a leader in educating creative individuals date back to 1868.

February 22, 2009

Maya Foo, a researcher at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, recently discussed Richard Amsel's portrait of Bette Midler at a Face-to-Face portrait talk. It makes for an interesting listen, though Foo commits the near unforgivable sin of referring to THE STING as a sequel to BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID! (She clearly didn't see either films, a point I'm rather sensitive to as SUNDANCE is one of my all-time favorites ... but perhaps I'm just nitpicking.)

CLICK HERE to listen to Ms. Foo's lecture (8:35).

For more information on the National Portrait Gallery, you can visit their official website.