Way of the Warrior

Yesterday was an unforgettable day. When my art can make someone cry.... that is something I have to write about.

For those of you who know me that I am a huge wrestling fan! At one point my favorite Wrestler in the year 1996 was the Ultimate Warrior when he returned from a 4 year absence.

My favorite wrestle at the time Razor Ramon made the jump to WCW and had to pick a new favorite... and I went the "Way of the Warrior" [blogger's note.... the title is actually a nod to my friend Billy Tucci]. That same year Warrior launched his own comic book series (which was quite Bizarre) which I went nuts over. Shortly months later the Ultimate Warrior was suspended indefinitely and was dismissed the same way Hogan was from WWF (getting his ass badly beat by the bad guys)... not a way to go. And yet i was without a favorite until one year later when Stone Cold Steve Austin turned Anti-Hero.

I will admit  Before 1996 I was against the Warrior cause well I was a Hulkamaniac  and I took Hulk's defeat to the Warrior the same as I took Godzilla's [alleged] defeat to King Kong.

But what can I say he grew on me. And like Hogan's departure I waited months for Warrior to return and had to realize that was not going to happen.

Eight Years later it was announced he was doing an Autograph signing at Caroline's comedy club in NYC. I said he was once a favorite and rare to meet so why not.

So I went there when I saw him I saw shocked how much he changed

(This is not a real picture I photshopped how i looked in 2004 with him at the event) 

He looked like Tony Robbins. But he was a very nice guy. And I was happy to get my autograph.

I was happy to see him get inducted into the Hall Of Fame on the eve of WrestleMania 30 and give his speech to the fans two nights later on Raw. The following night  I was asleep in bed and my wife woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me the Ultimate Warrior had collapsed and died. And my first response was I'm tired of all the rumors that he died back in 1991, and second was that it was impossible I just saw him on tv nights ago. Turns out it was real and made major headlines.

2015 - Wrestlemania 31
The WWE started an Annual tradition at the Hall Of Fame to give a special award called the "Warrior Award" and award given to someone who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of WWE Hall of Famer, The Ultimate Warrior.

Warrior's widow Dana presented the award and we were introduced to the life size Warrior statue.


Yesterday -  Brooklyn, NY

It was announced weeks ago that Dana Warrior would be coming to Brooklyn (my backyard) to sign copies of ULTIMATE WARRIOR: A Life Lived "Forever" and with her appearance would also feature the warrior statue. I just had to go. I remember seeing her next to Warrior in a WWF Magazine back in 1996 and I thought she was really pretty. So I may never had got to make Warrior a sketch when I met him so I did the next best thing. I came up with the idea to draw Dana to be standing beside the Warrior.

I was satisfied with the results especially finishing it last minute.

I got to the Powerhouse Arena and once I saw the statue immediately took a picture with it.

90 minute later Dana shows up with her two daughters and gives an emotional heartfelt speech about how the fans are the ones who got her through the tragedy she had to endure last year and coping with it to this day.

As I got to meet her. Someone did actually gave he ra giant sketch of the Warrior himself but mine I felt was more unique and meaningful.

 She got very emotional and tried very hard not to cry which was impossible seeing her rub the tears from her eyes really made my heart melt. I told her that I met him back in 2004 and said he was a really sweet guy. She thank me for coming and I told her hey thanks for coming to my backyard.

 

Of course before I left I had to take a picture with her, the sketch and the statue. 

After the photo was taken I gave her a hug and said my goodbyes. And she told me she was going to frame the sketch.

Former classmates of mine always gave me the "never give away your work." When I finished the sketch I was skeptical to give away such a nice piece but after giving it to Dana and seeing her emotions and appreciation made me more than happy with my decision.

It was great meeting Dana Warrior and I know she will carry on his legacy for the rest of her days!

My Favorite SKETCHES

Hello Everyone!

While you are here check out my new blog/sketch journal devoted to my drawing from Life Drawings. 

 Frank's Rough Life!  Rough Sketches in Life Drawing. (get it?!)






In this post I like share with you my personal favorite sketches of my own work.
These are sketches and excludes my paintings.  These are sketches I'm somewhat proud of what what I accomplished.

Most of these sketches were ones I did just for fun.

Lido - Bonhuer

On my 2nd wedding Anniversary My wife and I had such a romantic night in the City of Love (Paris), After a romantic Eiffel Tower view restaurant. We went to see Paris' most chic Cabaret... Lido. 

 Lido has been around since the 1940s. It is locate on Champs Elsees and is like two blocks from the Arc Di Triomphe. The theme the current show was called "Bonheur."

 

That show's theme had ended it's 13 year run this past December and Started it's new theme back in April. It was such an amazing show. So I decided to make this colored pencil sketch. Of a phoney Poster.


I did base the lead girl off the one who performed that night. My original idea was to have the girls in front of the Arc Di Triomphe, and have the purple Parisian Skyline behind it.

But the paraphernalia from two dancers in the back started to cover it completely, and had no choice....

 ....I decided just to Put it as part of the skyline, but in the end I came close to what I wanted.

My Dog Penny Helped out too...

 

Bambi Meets [the 2014 US] Godzilla

. Most Godzilla and cartoons fans remember this award winning student short film from the 1960s.

Months After the release of the 2014 Warner Bros/ Legendary Pictures Godzilla and seeing that he turned out being a Babyface that saved the city. It inspired me to make this heartwarming version of what if Bambi met this Godzilla.

 

Stone Cold E.T.

 This one I based off a Video co-workers told me about which turned out to be a man going through a drive-thru wearing and E.T. mask and doing a spot on impression of Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

But this is what I pictured when they told me about it.

Rape of Kong

This is based off the famous scene from the original 1933 King Kong and the scene that was lost for decades.

 And if you read my postings back in 2009-2010 about My Godzilla Vs. King Kong sketch series this sketch is sort of a prequel to this one sketch I did in 2010 which a few girls gave me heat for.....

..... "why did you that to Kong he's the Romantic one". Well since I said in Bambi sketch above of how this new Godzilla is a good guy, I'm giving them a reminder that Kong abducted a girl against her own will and at one point stripped her.

As for the sketch it was a lot fun drawing this in pencil giving it that 1930s feel. The Ann Darrows-like girl I based off Amy Adams and it's hard to make out Kong pulling the sling of her robe. But I loved having Godzilla cut his throat and believe it or not next to the Metropolitan Life Tower the size is accurate. It was a lot of fun drawing classic 30s Kong over the Peter Jackson Kong like in the previous drawings.

St. Bettie Page

I drew this shortly after Bettie passed away years ago. (which I posted on here 6 years ago).
I made an egg tempera painting of this back in 2010 but it didn't come close to what I achieved here.

Now the next two are my top 2 favorites.....

Mel Blanc - Man of 1,000 Voices

Now this is one I wanted to do a story on for quite some time. I always was a huge Looney Tunes & Hanna-Barbera fan since I can remember my earliest childhood memories. As well as the voices of Mel Blanc. Now if I can hang out with anyone famous & Deceased it would definitely be this guy!
Last year I picked up a copy of Mel's memoir from 1988 That's Not All Folks. I really enjoyed reading it, especially made me realize what a great guy he was and how he would be in his person. The most amazing part was when he was in a car accident back in 1961 that left him comatose with a 1 in Million chance of surviving, the doctor went up to him and asked "How are we feeling Bugs Bunny" and the Mel responded to him in Bugs' voice. Who'da think the cartoons he voiced would save his life.

Well last summer shortly after reading it gave me an idea to do a series of tribute to voice acting which I drew.
Mae Questel (for voicing Betty Boop & Olive Oyl)











Walt Disney (for voicing Mickey)

(If you didn't get it The "Hot Dog" is Mickey's catchphrase and first onscreen words")


And of Course Mel Blanc

 

Seeing How busy the sketch was I had no choice to color the characters in but in the end that's how they were meant to be scene. 

As you can see I have a few gags going on in the picture.
*Tweetie Pie painted a white Stripe on Sylvester's back to look like a skunk which attracts Pepe Le Pew.
*Speedy Gonzales is racing against Cecil Turtle
*Barney Rubble Chiseled a statue of his wife which turned into a Venus De Milo thanks to Dino
*Wyle E. Cyotoe & Taz are feasting on the Roadrunner who is already mounted.
* and a FAQ I get the.... The little mouse next to Heathcliff is Tucker Mouse from the Chuck Jones animated adaption of A Cricket in Time Square (a beautiful cartoon)

These characters are so much fun to draw.

and last and certainly not least.

Paperman's Date

When I went to see Wreck-It Ralph in theatres it was this cartoon short that premiered before it that stole the show.... and a 2013 academy award.
Disney's Paperman

Not only was this a beautiful heartwarming cartoon and story it also proved that 2D animation is far from dead.

Well it gave me an idea and made me wonder what there life would be like after the movie.
Well I would call it a first date but the end credits pretty much depicted their first date.
But  I guess this would be the date they fall in love.

The view is based off one of the most beautiful views in NYC atop the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The sketch still has the 1940s feel to it especially that Empire State Building is missing it's antenna.
I wanted to steer clear of Disney's style and give it a touch of semi-realism.

Well these are my most favorite proud sketches (excluding my life drawings)

Check up shortly and I will upload my best paintings!

Victoria's Secret Admirer

Well another year passes by with no posts, but only cause I haven't had much to say. But this blog I'd like to pay tribute in art and pictures to one of my favorite athletes. For those of you who don't know me my name is Frank I am an illustrator and back in the day I used to be such a huge wrestling fan.  This post I pay tribute to is a person I'd like to consider a friend named


Lisa Marie Varon (aka Victoria of the WWE amd Tara Rizing of TNA/IMPACT)

She happens to be my favorite female wrestler of all time (well she has been for the past ten years so that's gotta be true)

In late 2003 She had been an active competitor in the WWF (I know it's not called that anymore but my blog, my rules). Her stage name was just "Victoria" (yeah that's it, no last name).  I was working as an usher at Madison Square Garden and had the privilege working ringside for a WWF House Show (an untelevised event where you can get away with a lot) at the time she was a top heel in the women's division but when she came down the aisle she was slapping hands with the fans holding a big smile on her face which heels never do. I said to myself "Wow she must be a really nice person."

2004 - We Met Twice
    Victoria had become a top babyface competitor and my admiration for her had grew more and that summer the WWF came back to the Garden and unfortunately missed her entering the arena via parking lot. However when I went to go check my bag I bumped into her by elevator and introduced myself talked for a less than a minute and she was really sweet (and gorgeous in person).

Months later I actually had tickets that night for Raw and while waiting to enter the arena not only did I meet her again I got my first autograph and picture with her.

But something was missing usually when I meet my favorite celebs I make them a sketch and I never gave her one so I made it my mission to do that.

2005 - The year long journey of the first sketch

Thanks to my Garden credentials I scored myself front row seats to a House Show in late February. I played hookey from class that day and waited all day in the freezing cold for her to arrive and this time I came prepared with a sketch.

However thanks to the cold and snow her limo pulled right into the garage not passing through the fans.  When it was time for her match with Trish Stratus she passed by slapped my hand on the way to the ring as I held up the sketch she paused and smiled point to the pic (I was hinting at her to take it).

Unfortunately I think she won the match by disqualification or lost by interference and she exited the ring the opposite side so their went my plans to give her the sketch.

In May:
     The WWF returned for a big event at the Garden and I once again waited with my sketch by the parking lot entrance but she was not seen once.

November -Third Times the Charm
     Lisa Marie/ Victoria was coming to my hometown (at the time) Staten Island you can believe I was ecstatic. She was having an autograph signing at the Time Warner Cable store and all you needed was your cable bill. I woke up bright and early, would you know it... I was first to arrive. I had in my hand the sketch and my 8x10's. I was chatting with the store manager and security and they were pretty much rooting for me. As the doors opened to let me in I don't know what anyone told her cause as I came to her table she had her arms wide open and gave me a big hug I literally was on the verge of tears cause I waited so long to give her the damn sketch.

 But there's nothing else I can say about it She's one of the most sweetest people you'll ever meet.

Sounds like a happy ending but Years would pass that sketch would end up on her myspace page and it got quite a bit of negative reviews from fans but what hurt most was she replied saying "Not the best likeness, but I appreciate the effort."

That kind of hurt but ironically I wasn't upset  my skills improved over the years and said that next time I see her she'll get an even better sketch.

____________________

In 2009 she announced her retirement from wrestling and shortly ended  up at WWF's Rival company TNA/IMPACT Wrestling. I pretty much didn't blame her from late 2005-2009 the company disrespected her gave major pushes to all the eye candy divas and worse of all made her put over most of her matches which is a bummer cause she was such a devastating in-ring performer. And had one of the best finishing moves in the entire business "The Widows Peak" (much better than a running legdrop or an elbowdrop off the top rope)

Her new in-ring persona was Tara Rizing where she dyed part of her hair red and carried a Caged Tarantula to the ring


2010 - Wizard World Philly

She was going to be at my favorite annual convention for the weekend. I was looking forward and at the last minute penciled an 11x17 sketch of her where I put in a mix of her TNA character attribute & a touch of Botticelli's Venus. I wanted to be more creative and avoid just a simple sketch from a photo.

Well I wasn't fully satisfied but It was the best I could do at last short notice.

When I approached her table she saw me and a pic we took together and she said "I remember you, you made me a sketch last time" (I forgot to mention it is known she is great at remembering faces)

She was very happy with the new sketch. I know cause she did something nice for me in return.

This time I saw a lot of positive feedback on the sketch. >Whew< 

I did drop by her table occasionally that weekend it was cool to have actual conversations although I think there may have been moments I overstayed my welcome.

Today

Been 10 years since we first met. She has been officially retired since her unfortunate termination from TNA for quite a while.. she now owns a wrestling themed restaurant in Chicago called The Squared Circle.

This weekend I finally got to see Lisa Marie once again at the Chiller Theatre Convention in NJ.

Days ago I tried to think up another cool idea for a sketch but when i saw pics of her and her long red & black hair I came up with the idea to draw her as one of my favorite fictional characters, Medusa. Of course to the people who read my pasts blog know I'm a big Greek Mythology fan. I was more than please this time with the sketch. I made Hogan as the frozen victim since his poses are very Greek Myth-like  and eye candy diva Candice Michelle (as a Venus DeMilo since I saw the real statue three weeks ago).  Well Lisa Marie as Medusa is quite fitting since I tend to turn to stone every time I meet her.

My encounter was quite brief but well worth it. 

When I finally found her table through the claustrophobic crowd, I waved to her and she came over to me gave me a hug and said it was good to see me. It was a great surprise since I somewhat changed in appearance since the last encounter. I showed her the sketch she loved it. And Posed for the picture

She was more overjoyed when she found out it was for her (she thought we were posing with it and I'm like you should know by now). She thought the Venus De Milo part with the broken arms holding a belt was hilarious.

 I came back into the room later to check out the other vendors it got way crowded and she was mobbed. But As I left outside she was passing right by and she gave me a final goodbye hug. It was good to see her yet again.

I'll never forget back in the day I had WWF Divas magazine and a fellow classmate (Ms. Degen) saw a picture of Stacy Kiebler and she said "She's the prettiest one why ain't she your favorite" and I just shook my head at her. My admiration for Lisa Marie Varon has been over her talents, her in-ring skills, yes her looks, and most of all the way she treats her fans.

I hope one day my Wife & I can see her at Squared Circle in the future. Thank You Lisa Marie for the memories.

The Ever-Lovin' Blue Eyed, Idol of Millions...

Hello Blogamaniacs!

     Yes I took another much needed brake, however I'm back and here to post some more art and stories.

      This Blog I'd like to pay tribute to one of my favorite Heroes... Everone who knows me knows I'm a huge spider-man fan.... but not many know right next to the Wall-Crawler the hero I admire just as much is none other than Benjamin Jacob Grimm: THE THING!

 

My Sketch of Thing for a never completed Marvel Splash Page, 2005

Ever since the Marvel Card craze back in 1991 got me into comics yeah I was a Spider-Man fan and when we played in the schoolyard during recess Spider-Man was a popular choice so when I couldn't be Spidey I always wanted to be The Thing. Sure he wasn't the strongest but the one thing I can relate to Ben Grimm was we were both the underdog.  He was a character I always enjoyed reading, drawing, and making my own comics about him as a child.  I especially loved by his solo series from the 80s as well as his team up series Marvel-Two-In-One.  He was the ONLY reason I bought a Fantastic Four comic. Whenever I read his thought balloons I pictured his voice like Paul Frees' version of him in the 1967 FF Hanna-Barbera Series

Thing vs Hulk.

As a kid the others mocked me for liking the Thing and the other kids saying the Hulk was stronger and can beat him.  Well Unfortunately they were right.... The Hulk did reign victorious Most of the time

 Art By Rich Buckler. (When I had this sketch commissioned I request to have The Thing winning the fight.)

 However there are a few great battles Where the Thing did technically win.

The sketch above I based off of Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III

Which explains why the Thing is taller than he should be, however we all know the outcome of that fight and you can imagine what I was trying to imply within the sketch.

Ben & Alicia.

When I was a child I didn't care about his Romance with Alicia Masters (the Blind Daughter of the Villainous Puppet Master) and never cared for her (especially when a Skrull disguised as her dumped Ben for his teammate the Human Torch)

As I got older I prefered The Thing getting involved with my favorite Super-Heroine, She-Hulk.

My Parody of the Janet Jackson Rolling Stone cover, 2005

It was hard to appreciate Alicia Masters with her constant on again off again relationship with The Thing, but after reading Nelson Decastro's love story from Marvel Comics Presents #1 (Vol.2), It made me see things in a different perspective and appreciate the character and their relationship....

(sketch I did shortly after reading that story back in 2008)













.... Older stories of their relationship followed over the years, I enjoyed reading the story when they first met and how he reverted back to Ben Grimm later on tried dating her but it seems he always had a better relationship with her when he was The Thing. Their relationship really grew on me to the point they became my favorite couple (Sorry MJ... Spider-Man has had too many good girlfriends over the years).For a while I had the idea of drawing a picture showing their love for one another (the one above never did me justice....) so I came up with the heavily detailed sketch in color pencil and I am quite happy with the results.....

I never like when they made The Thing short he should be almost as Tall as the Hulk.... while I talk about this..

The Fantastic Four Movie
 I like to add I did in fact enjoy the Fantastic Four movie mostly because it revolved around the Thing and his fight to become human again. As for Alicia.... the actress that played her was beautiful but she just wasn't Alicia and I don't mean cause of her Ethnicity but, she lacked sophistication...and well I would've liked to see a cute short-haired strawberry blonde portray her.
    The only thing that bothered me was Dr. Doom was lame.  Michael Chiklis did a great job as Ben Grimm & The Thing but I think I would've preferred a CGI Thing instead... he was too short and not to be  a fanboy, but that scene on the Bridge just bothered me that a guy who can lift over 85 tons had to struggle to save a 10 ton fire truck from falling in the East River.  As for Rise of the Silver Surfer it was a fun movie but was nowhere near as good as the first.
    I here now a new Fantastic Four movie series is coming and just like Amazing Spider-Man maybe will be a huge improvement to the prior series and wish it the best.

Well I hope you enjoyed my blog on "Aunt Petunia's Favorite Nephew."  I intend to be more up to date nowadays.  I like to close with a famous quote by our rocky hero.....

"It's Clobberin' Time!!!!"

Bubble, Bubble. Blonde and Trouble.

Hey Blogamaniacs!

     Don't Have Much to say but for those of you who have followed me since the beginning know I've been a Bettie Page fan.

 As of late I've grown more fond of a more popular starlet from the same decade Ms. Monroe ever since I saw My Week with Marilyn (even thought it wasn't the real her).  However I wondered as of late how cool would it have been for them to work together. The result was this sketch which I colorized in Photoshop.

 

 I based this off the famous series of pics of Marilyn in the tub (which Michelle Williams portrayed quite well)

Don't Fear the Grier!

Greeting fellow Blogamaniacs.  Sorry about the 7 month absence well unfortunately the"Beauties of Literature" will be postponed indefinitely for now.  Right Now I'd like to write a story that has been way long overdue.  Most of you remember the unforgetable story when I first met my muse Pam Grier....

http://fmongelluzzo.blogspot.com/2010/05/pam-grier-is-here.html
(If you don't I suggest you click the link above)

Last Year on June 14, 2011 I went to Wizard World Philadelphia and I was ecstatic that Pam Grier was a scheduled guest.  Not only would I get to meet her again but I'd would have a chance to actually talk to her.

And get a real picture with her.

 (She looks amazing at 62....now 63)

I felt bad that when I met her I only gave her a printout of my painting but not a real piece of art. Now I could never part with that painting of her it's my best piece however I gave her the original rough sketch.

And I made her a whole Brand New Sketch.  Which I based off a scene in the movie Friday Foster which is based on a comic strip. Where Carl Weathers (you can see in the knife reflection) tries to kill Friday (Pam) while in the shower. 

And the pose is based off of my mentor Rob McGinnis' book cover he did




 On the Run... Since Robert helped mentor me on the painting I did of Pam 6 years ago I thought it'd be a nice little tribute.  Pam did say I drew a cute butt on her.







I  also gave her A printout of an unfinished piece

 

(if Shaft went to Africa why not Pam Grier)

Speaking of Shaft..... Right across from Pam was Shaft himself Richard Roundtree.  Now A fight between Shaft and one of Pam's Characters like Coffy or Foxy Brown would be a crossover worth watching and well it inspired me to draw this pic finally.

Of course ya can see who I'd be rooting for.

Overall Pam is as sweet as she looks.  And she told me never to give up on my goals something to always keep in mind.  Well I hope you enjoyed I hope to colorize this and have up soon.