Etch A Sketch Art Anyone?
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Anyone who has played with an ‘Etch A Sketch’ knows how hard it is to draw on, let alone save the creation. However, Cleveland-based artist George Vlosich III, has not only figured out how to make his etches permanent, but also, sell them for thousands of dollars.
Mr. Vlosich's artistic career began when he went on a road trip to Washington D.C., and his parents gave him an ‘Etch A Sketch’ to pass the time. His amazing depiction of the U.S. Capital, impressed his parents so much, that they had to take a picture of it before he erased it.
He soon figured out that by carefully opening the back and getting rid of the excess powder, he could make his drawings permanent. The young sports enthusiast began to sketch pictures of his favorite athletes and sending it to them hoping that one day they would come back autographed. While that happened sometimes, more often than not, it led to a meeting with the athletes and an autograph - similar to the one on the right with Carl Ripken Jr.
He also entered monthly art contests sponsored by the ‘Etch A Sketch’ manufacturer. After he won a few contests in a row, they sent a representative to Mr. Vlosich's house to ensure that he was the one drawing the amazing pictures. Once convinced, the manufacturer sent him a new ‘Etch A Sketch’ every month, to encourage him to do more, and even did a countrywide tour with some of his best work, to demonstrate the kind of art that could be created with this simple device.
While it may look easy, Mr. Vlosich puts a lot of work into each of his etched masterpieces. Like all artists he first outlines a sketch of what he is going to draw in a notebook. Once he starts, it takes him anywhere between 70-80 hours to complete each work of art, largely because even if he makes a small mistake, he has to start all over again. After he is done he immediately shakes off the excess powder so that his masterpiece is permanently etched in.
Though the originals are expensive, Mr. Vlosich also sells prints and even T-shirts with his etches on them - a lot cheaper and just as impressive. To see his collection or buy an etched art, check out gvartwork.myshopify.com.
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59 Comments
- wolfover 12 yearsthat is so cool i cant even draw a happy face on one of those things
- crystalmoriabout 9 yearsikr Those things are hard.
- edmodo-ybc5sxdnt9over 10 yearsI can't either
- nobody you knowover 12 yearsawesome
- DJover 12 yearsThats Epic!
- AwesomeGirl24almost 13 yearsstunning
- Jennyalmost 13 yearsCOOL I could barely make a face on etch a sketch. he must be good.
- z bradleyabout 13 yearsThose are very kool
- Teacherabout 13 yearsBoys and girls. He did NOT paint any of these pictures. He did simply use this device that a company used. Yes, this may be a difficult challenge!
- sheaabout 13 yearscool
- jeepabout 13 yearsI love those how can he do that all i get are lines!!!!!!!!!
- xavierover 13 yearsomg!my family loves those!