April 2001 | See Past News

Hello Friends:

  We are all anxiously awaiting the grand opening on June 9th. All plans are set and on schedule for this wonderful day in the Poconos. Frank is feeling vibrant and high spirited of late and though he is a bit tentative about this event , I have convinced him with his entire family present and many of his closest friends there is no need to worry. He is a very humble individual and loves his privacy and although he worries about a large gathering and having to answer so many questions on this day, once he feels comfortable among friends and fans, he will enjoy this day as will all other patrons. Presently, we are sold out of tickets and thank all that of you for your continued support and we look forward to meeting with you personally on June 9th. Cameras are welcome but there will be no flash photography inside the museum. Mrs. Frazetta has framed many originals to hang on display that will be for sale . There will be food, open bar and music throughout the day and we are hoping for good weather. This event will take place rain or shine. All paid attendees will receive a special grand opening museum book initialed by Mr. Frazetta sometime around Christmas, depending on how long it takes to produce. Gates will open at noon and all patrons are on a guest list, so don't worry if you forget your ticket.

  Besides the preparation for the opening, things have been rather calm on the estate. The weather has gone from drought like conditions to a week of steady rain. I have just gone on E-bay with my father in his never ending search for the perfect camera. We bid on a Pentax Mx in black which may be the only camera missing from his enormous collection and hopefully he will prevail for under $200.

Frank Jr's Personally designed & constructed Mini Golf in  Marshalls Creek Pa

  Just a quick note, I have just spoken with Arnie Fenner pertaining to the new book "Testament". It should be available in all editions by the end of June. I have not seen any preliminary drafts of this book but I am sure it will be one to enjoy for years to come. We are still waiting for our first mock of the Death Dealer steins and should be available later this fall. I will post some photos when they come available to me. Last Saturday many fans received a welcome treat with a surprise visit from Frank. This is only the second or third time since the opening last summer that he has popped in. He took all the fans for a tour around the museum and explained many of the concepts and design involved with each painting.  It would be great to have a book to the thought process which Frank goes through with each painting from conception to the final signing of the art. I know personally from growing up as a child, there was a simple rough to work out any the design flaws, IF ANY,,, then on to the painting. From there, a large brush with amber color paint to rough in the basic design and if all was pleasing to him, he gradually added color and texture where needed. Once again, if things were acceptable at that time the figures began coming to life with flesh tones then shadows in just the right places. Just don't leave the room for more than a half hour or you'll miss out on much of the actual painting. Yell out to mom for a sandwich or ask him to play a game of stick ball and you were assured not to miss out. He would just flick his brush or even use his finger to smudge some paint around the bark of a tree for the perfect shadow. I had spoken with a friend of his and recently mentioned my dad was having a problem with one particular painting back when working with Warren. 

Grandpa gets a punch from granddaughter

"Your father was not getting the right effect on the rocks that would satisfy him. He spent an hour trying to resolve this to no avail. Finally, he put down his brush and said, " I'll be right back. He went out into the driveway and scooped out a small handful of mud from a puddle in the road. He proceeded to walk back into the studio and splat the mud onto the canvas rubbing it around the needed area. "That's better !" He stood up again without saying anything and went out the door to the same puddle. Once again a he repeated the same process and pressed it onto the picture. The only problem he was having was the mud would not stay on the painting, it was continually falling off and onto the floor. He sat there shaking his head trying to resolve the flaw in his technique. A few moments went by and he shouted, " I got it ! " 

Movie Poster done in the 60's

He laid the painting flat on the floor, pushed the mud around until it was acceptable, then reached out for a can of lacquer spray. His friend sat in amazement with Franks determination to conquer this minor set back. Frank sprayed a huge cloud of lacquer mist towards the art. As the air filled with the deadly fumes and the aroma made his friend dizzy just sitting on a near by stool , you could sense this was the final chapter in another little gem done for Creepy magazine. Frank touched the painting to see if it was dry and as it hardened another small mist of spray was sent directly to the canvas. "Ah Ha" !!! Perfect !!! The mud was now permanent part of Franks canvas and till this day still clings onto the original artwork. 


Thank you for joining with us,
Frank Frazetta Jr.