- Rico Tomaso
Rico Tomaso (born 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, died 1985 in New York, New York) was an
illustrator and painter. His works were featured in magazines, novels, and sold as paintings andlithograph prints.Youth
In his youth, Tomaso played the
piano for a dance orchestra in which he metdrummer Dean Cornwell , who also became a famous illustrator and an influence on Tomaso's own style. Illustration historian Walt Reed wrote that Tomaso's "work mostly resembled Cornwell's in concept and broad brush style." [Reed, Walt "The Illustrator in America, 1860–2000". New York: Watson Guptill Publications, 2001, ISBN 0823025233 page 253]Studies
John T. McCutcheon , a family friend and cartoonist for the "Chicago Tribune ", encouraged Tomaso's artistic talent. Tomaso studied at theArt Institute of Chicago with J. Wellington Reynolds. He also studied at theArt Students League of New York with teachers including Dean Cornwell,Robert Henri andHarvey Dunn .Works
As an illustrator in New York, Tomaso worked for clients such as Granger Pipe Tobacco and frequently contributed to such periodicals as the "
Ladies' Home Journal " [Joseph C. Lincoln, Rico Tomaso (illust.) "The Shale-Bastable Boots" - Ladies' Home Journal vol. LII (11): 23, 76–86 Nov 1935 Philadelphia: Curtis Publishing 9] and "The Saturday Evening Post ". He was at his best illustrating tales of high adventure, including the Albert Richard Wetjen stories about theMounted Police ofSouth Australia , or mysteries, such asRex Stout 'sNero Wolfe novel "The League of Frightened Men ". As a fine artist he was represented by the Grand Central Art Galleries and by Jean Bohne, Inc., in New York. [Reed, Walt "The Illustrator in America, 1860–2000". New York: Watson Guptill Publications, 2001, ISBN 0823025233 page 253]Teaching
Tomaso taught at the Grand Central Art School, taking the classes of
Harvey Dunn when the class was moved toMamaroneck, New York .References
External links
* [http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/biography.aspx?artist=28856 askart.com]
* [http://www.artfact.com/features/viewArtist.cfm?artistRef=XO2C21SXI8 Recently sold works]
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