LeRoy Neiman

Apparently YouTube entries do not count as a real blog update, so here is something of substance.

Since last week, LeRoy Neiman has been working with the printers at Tamarind for a benefit print. For those of you who don't know, Neiman "is an American artist known for his brilliantly colored, semi-abstract paintings and screen prints of athletes and sporting events." (Thanks wikipedia!) He is also known for his wicked handlebar moustache!!!



Now 81 years old, LeRoy got his big break back in the day when a co-worker named Hugh Hefner started a little magazine called Playboy. He became an artist for the magazine, and has painted and drawn almost every athlete and celebrity imaginable over the past 50 years. He was the official artist for five Olympics and was often filmed drawing live sketches at the Super Bowl and other events. Here's a few of his images (courtesy of his official website):





While some artists might scoff at Neiman's art, they are most likely just jealous because of the MILLIONS and MILLIONS that he's made off of the sales of his work. Apparently, Neiman's prints and paintings are primarily bought by self-made Southern and Midwestern businessmen who aren't usually big into buying art. Having one of Neiman's pieces is definitely a status thing.

Anyway, Tamarind is still desperately trying to raise money for the new building and they got the idea to invite Neiman to make a print. Apparently he's never made a real limited edition lithograph before and was delighted at the prospect. He spent most of last week working on a stone in the studio. On Tuesday night he was the guest of honor at a fancy dinner with the UNM president, then got to sit in the Governor's box at the UNM vs UNLV basketball game. (We got to go too, but our seats weren't quite as close.)



LeRoy drew during the game and was announced to the crowd midway through. It was a good game and UNM won 59-45. Here's me and Patrick getting fired up. Go Lobos!



By the weekend, LeRoy had finished his drawings and they started proofing. Here they are on Saturday trying some different colors.



And here is a close-to-finished version of the print.



Today, they busted out the old flatbed press so that LeRoy could do some monoprints. Here's his ink setup.



And here he is working on a monoprint of LeBron James (from the Cleveland Cavaliers).



Tomorrow night we are having a reception at Tamarind for Mr. Neiman. I guess the benefit print will be unveiled there. Also, there's going to be lots of legislators coming through, so Marge wants us to be printing at night and looking happy and busy, but also a little sad because we need a new building.

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