Dan's Papers Cover Artist Joe Chierchio
This week’s cover, “Sleigh Ride,” is the 14th image to appear on Dan’s Papers by artist . Like his previous ones celebrating diverse seasons and situations, Chierchio tells a story with his illustrative style, featuring American values and attitudes. While the artist feels at home with such American perspectives, he is also an individual who personally feels comfortable in the Hamptons where he spends a lot of time. He is a native New Yorker, teaching, painting and enjoying Manhattan’s art.
Why do you like the cover’s particular image?
It’s about family values, which I am attracted to. It’s a moment that’s been played out forever. A feeling of safety, warmth and fun that I love to show in my work. I relive that past along with the viewer. My drawings are not just pretty pictures. They are narrations that tell a story, the way Norman Rockwell did with his over 350 Saturday Evening Post covers.
What art projects are you presently working on?
I am doing commissions for classic cars, which are moving works of art. Today’s cars don’t compare to the beauty of the classics. I try and show these antique vehicles in a contemporary way, so we get the best of both worlds. I am also doing two new bodies of work: “Diner People” and “Central Park.”
What is it about these subjects that you like?
I like showing people together in their favorite watering holes. There’s intimacy and relationships with a sense of place. I like painting Central Park because it is an oasis in the big city.
I understand you’re going to Mexico. What do you look forward to doing?
Seeing the wonderful ruins. I’m taking my sketch pad.
I know you like being in New York best of all. What have you seen recently in art there that you particularly enjoyed and why?
I saw the new Picasso “Black and White” show at the Guggenheim Museum. It was great. The works are more about form than painting. Picasso’s sculptures are bold and alive. Pound for pound, he is my favorite artist. He was brave in his life and never stopped creating in all media. He was a true creative artist.
I thought I’d ask you a few short questions at random to get a sense of your tastes and preoccupations. Like where would you like to live if you had a choice?
I love New York and will never leave. If I did, Tuscany would be the place. Surrounded by all that beauty and art. I would paint and start a vineyard. Heaven on earth.
If you could engage in any other profession, what would it be?
Acting/movie directing and professional baseball (as a player).
Speaking of acting, what kind of film would you be in if you had a chance?
It would be called “Joey the Face:” good guy stops the bad guy. It would be called
“Face” because the hero is able to change his looks. I would be in it along with Al
Pacino, Robert De Niro, Bill Macy, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Martin Scorsese would direct.
Let’s start shooting.
Who’s the one person who has influenced you the most?
My mother. She was an artist and told me to follow my passions and dreams. She never became a professional artist but lived every moment of my art profession. She was very proud of her artist son. Thanks, ma.