ANDREW ARTMAN

Andrew Artman describes his drawing process as making snowballs — he starts with a theme (for example, John Candy in Uncle Buck or the Dude in The Big Lebowski) and then slowly adds more and more detail and color until the drawing is jam packed with historical references, jokes and personal anecdotes. He gets ideas as he goes along and “the best ones make it into the drawing.” 

Andrew lives in Tucson, Arizona with his family and rat terrier Rudy and is our latest (virtual) artist in residence. With an eye for detail that many might miss, Andrew distills the essence of a movie or moment in history into a complicated Where’s Waldo — you have to get in close, and spend some time in there, to fully appreciate the world he’s created. 

In addition to Andrew’s love of John Candy (who he describes as fun loving, jovial and genuine with a laid back personality), other favorite subjects include 1950s mid century scenes and post World War II car classics like 1977 Mercury Marquis, Ford F100 pickup trucks, 1975 Eldorado Cadillacs and Lincolns. His drawings act as time capsules with a twist. And he’s a big Beatles fan. 

Over the course of the next three months, Andrew plans to play with the scale of his drawings, creating “a bigger, more glamorous version of what [he’s] been doing with more details.” He may even try quite a bit smaller. 

Fine tipped markers and other materials are on their way to Tucson. Stay tuned and vroom vroom.