Ed RuschaThe art of line and letters…

Artist Background

• Born and raised in the Midwest then moved to Los Angeles to start his art career. Continues to live, work and exhibit his artwork in L.A.• Began as a graphic artist• Now combines imagery and words• Themes include ordinary life in the city

and commentary on mass-media fed images

Pop Art• An art movement beginning in the 1950s

and 1960s that challenged traditional art ideas by using mass-produced images and making them into “fine art”• Pop art refers mainly to an attitude of

making artwork •Most pop art includes aspects of

mass culture, such as advertising, comic books and mundane cultural objects.

Pop Art then… Andy Warhol…

Andy Warhol…

Roy Lichtenstein

Pop Art Now…• Mario Wagner

Richard Mia

Ed Ruscha- Pop and Commercial Art : often used pop culture symbols in work

Emphasized letters within a background

Often used irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend

Lettering reflects ideas

Your Pop Art Guidelines:• Come up with a word or phrase that you want to work with.

“Sculpt” it out of 3-D ribbon letters. For example:

• Use lettering/spacing that reflects the meaning of the word or phrase. For example:

• Create a background using collage, paint, or mixed media that reflects the meaning of the word/phrase or is ironic.

Other requirements:

Element of Art:• -Afterwards, you will draw your

letters/phrase and shade using a full range of values.

Principle of Art: • Create emphasis on the letters, or make

them the focal point