Fascinating Fazzino
11/29/2006 3:14:20 PM by Sandy Lindsey
This year’s Winterfest Honorary Commodore and commemorative poster artist has had this winter-filled achievement on his to-do list for a long time. Now, his dream — and resulting artwork — will live on forever. He is also the commemorative poster artist for the upcoming Super Bowl XLI in Miami.
For the 35th anniversary of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, the organizers tapped celebrated 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino to design the commemorative poster. The artist, who is known for his bright, whimsical, highly detailed style, has also been named the annual boat parade’s Honorary Commodore, the eighth Commodore to date. He will be waving to an estimated 85,000 spectators lining the 10-mile parade route on a showboat displaying his unique creative flair.
“I have been a fan of the Winterfest Boat Parade since the early 1980s,” says Fazzino. “ I used to spend my winters in Florida, traveling to all of the outdoor art shows to exhibit my work. I would stand on the side every year and watch the parade and think to myself ‘someday, I want to do the poster for this parade,’ and finally, here I am.” All those years as a spectator have culminated in a “piece that captures the majesty and excitement this event generates every year,” according to Fazzino.
In fact, the water has always inspired his work. “I have always thought the water, in particular in Florida, is so reflective,” he explains. “Everything is so much more vibrant when looked at through the filter of the ocean…the colors are so bright…the teals…the greens…especially when the water is crystal clear. I see some of my pieces of art in it.”
Fazzino has been creating 3-D artwork for more than 24 years, and his work is exhibited in more than 600 fine art galleries in 20 different countries around the world. He is best known for his bright colors, whimsical feel, and the tendency to capture the entire essence of an event, a place, or a person in one image.
Winterfest isn’t Fazzino’s only tie with South Florida. He has also recently designed the Super Bowl XLI: Miami commemorative poster and a work entitled Perfectly Palm Beach. Other recent pieces from this prolific master include artwork for The 40th Annual Country Music Association Awards, Disney’s Rockin’ Eve and the international creations I Santi e Spirit di Firenze (Florence), Gli Angeli del Vaticano and Per l’amore di Venezia. He is also the creative force behind the collectible posters for Superbowls XXXV through XL.
So how does Fazzino relax from his hectic work schedule? On the water, of course, just like the rest of us. “I am not a boater, exactly,” he says modestly. “But I am an avid rower. My exercise is my peace and my relaxation and rowing is my very favorite activity. I also like to swim in the ocean after a nice, long run.”
While rowing may seem like a peaceful, sedate sport, that is not always the case. “I remember paddling a canoe once in Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale and the canoe tipped over,” says Fazzino of his wackiest moment on the water. “I was immediately frantic with visions of alligators floating in my head. It wasn’t funny at the time, but looking back, it must have seemed pretty ridiculous to anyone watching!”
Be sure to grab a copy of the 2006 Winterfest Boat Parade commemorative poster if you get the opportunity. After all, Fazzino’s work currently hangs in the private collections of President George W. Bush, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Roger Clemens, Michael Jordan, Julia Roberts and Disney’s Michael Eisner, to name a few.