Honorary Alumni, Frank Thorne's NYC's Illustration House Event... Smokes!

When young illustrator Mark Romanoski first met legendary artist Frank Thorne, it was as if fate had destined them to one day work together. The meet occurred several years ago when Romanoski was enjoying a day of sunshine and beach at the Jersey Shore.  On the same beach, a few sand spots down from Mark, was a gentleman with long white hair and a white beard. Mark recalls thinking," I should bring a business card down here tomorrow and introduce myself.  If I ever need to paint a wizard this guy would be a perfect model." Later that day and without another thought, Mark took off on a bike ride. While turning a sudden corner he noted a huge and immaculate cloud formation over the ocean.  The wizardly looking gentleman was there again, taking photographs. 

He turned to Mark and stated, “Pretty spectacular hey?"  Thinking out loud Mark remarked, “Yeah, it looks like a N.C. Wyeth Sky." (Wyeth is a famed illustrator and known for such images).  "Oh Yeah? Well I think it is a Maxfield Parish sky," proclaimed the wizard.  "How do you know who Maxfield Parish is?" inquired Romanoski. “I’m an illustrator,” responded the gentleman.  "Well, I am also an illustrator,” Romanoski responded back.  "Well, I am a fantasy illustrator," the gentleman clarified. "Well, I am a fantasy illustrator too," responded Romanoski.

Image Provided by Fazio Filmworks

And there, an instant and magical bond occurred. That wizard in disguise was none other than Frank Thorne.  As soon as the wizard had stated his name, Mark instantly knew of his work.  Thorne is an artist / writer /creator of such strips as, "Moonshine Mc Jugs for Playboy, "Lann" in Heavy Metal, "Danger Rangerette" in National Lampoon, a miniseries "Rabit" for Comico, as well as Fantagraphice Books Graphic novels "Ghita of Alizarr".  But Frank may best be known for his work at Marvel Entertainment, on Robert E. Howard’s Character Red Sonja. Thorne drew the character Red Sonja beginning in Marvel Feature #2 and continued throughout most of her 1977-79 series.

On March 7th, the Illustration House in New York, located at 34 West 27th street in NY, hosted an exhibition and sale of a retrospect of Thorne's career featuring many of his Red Sonja originals. Frank, an honorary alumni of the duCret School of Art and Mark Romanoski, a current instructor at the school have maintained a strong bond over the years. The show has also given Thorne and Romanoski a chance to finally work together.  For the show, Frank suggested that Mark paint the cover to Red Sonja #1- arguably one of the most recognizable images of his series.

For the new painting, Mark worked right on top of Thorne's original pencils and design.  ”I wanted to stay as close to Frank's original image as possible, but the tighter I got with the image, the trickier it became to blend the two styles,"  states Mark.  Certain elements that work great in comics do not necessarily translate into reality.  It always is a question of what to leave in and what to leave out.  The result of this collaboration; a 20 x 30 oil painting also on display at the Illustration House exhibition.  Thorne enthusiastically states, "Mark has accomplished a magical transformation of a linear drawing into an awesome painting of the ‘She-devil with a sword!’  Thorne and Romanoski are also planning on making available for purchase signed limited edition giclee's of the image. The exhibit remains on display at the Illustration House until March 30th.

duCret Second & Third Year Students Rock!

When a new student first arrives at the duCret School of Art, as in most new beginnings, individuals often arrive with lots of questions in mind. Can I really paint? Do I have the talent to really make it as an artist? How long will it take me to learn everything I need to know to be a good artist?

Two such students, named Rene Carr and Rachel Wittschen came to duCret within a year of one another. Each had a strong inner inkling that they wanted to work in the art industry but neither knew at the start, what was in store for them - or how fast they could progress in just a few years' worth of training. Both to-date, have proven themselves over and over. Both are art award winners. Both have been featured in Swain Galleries as up and coming NJ artists. Both have found themselves on YouTube, have been interviewed for cable TV by Non-Profit TV, and both have been filmed as part of a documentary on the arts, which is currently in post-production by Fazio Filmworks. 

Both have produced amazing collections of work in different mediums. Rene found that she not only has a love for doing portraiture, she is also an exceptionally gifted artist, who has already begun to accept private commissions. Her portrait drawings are exquisite, as are her renderings in oil. Rene's personal enthusiasm often parlays into the many school events held each year, where she often demonstrates her learned skills to visitors, or gives talks to visiting schools on the Fine Art Floor.

Rachel's finished and unfinished work on display.

Rachel similarly, but fascinated with a different medium, dove immediately into jewelry making at first and already has a collection of one-of-a kind gem stone necklaces and silver animal rings. She too has begun crafting individual commissions, where those interested in her designs can order direct from Etsy. Rachel paints too, and like her esoteric-style jewelry line, she has begun to incorporate her own soul-knowledge of the Universe into unique hybrid-like paintings, which feature part animal and part human figures. Rachael has also become a regular model for Tues Eve Open Studios, donning original costumes she has either designed, or created - right down to the boots she's sewn. When questioned about their start at duCret compared to where they are now - both exclaim surprise at their levels of progress and the strong inner self-awareness they have developed as artists. Both securely know who they are in the world. Both have already developed a 'signature' and both are powering forward into their careers with an unseen and yet steadfast vision. Keep an eye out for these two, as their ascent in only a few years at duCret has already put them on the map, so to speak!

36th Annual High School Art Show

On Friday, February 27^th, the duCret School of Art marked its 36^th year of celebrating the works of high school junior and senior artists from across the state. Four hundred and forty five pieces submitted from individual artists filled the school’s auditorium. Every year the duCret School of Art invites high school art students to participate in one of NJ’s largest art shows for teenagers. It is free to submit a piece of artwork and certificates and cash awards are given out at the opening night reception.

This year, 95 awards were given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place, along with Honorable Mentions.  Click for Awards List. Frank Falotico, the school’s Director, created the show initially so that young artists could experience being part of a large exhibition. Teenagers could also view the works of their peers from differing counties within the state, all in one night. The show has grown enormously over the years and at the Opening Reception, high school teachers, students and their families can mix and mingle in the auditorium, as well as speak to demonstrating duCret students and faculty members. Entries this year came in from as far as Freehold, Livingston, Bloomfield, Monmouth County and Bergenfield High Schools. Above image: duCret Instructor Peter Ambush speaks about his choice of mediums and the artwork he produces.

The duCret School of art offers a 3 year art career program as an alternative way for emerging artists to get started in life. There are courses and workshops offered throughout the year for the general public, as well as children. 

Visitors are allowed to stop by the school Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 am – 4 pm. Prospective students can call 908.757.7171 to schedule a tour and career consultation.