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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: WMLute on October 07, 2008, 11:45:17 PM

Title: The Incredible Typewriter Art of Paul Smith!
Post by: WMLute on October 07, 2008, 11:45:17 PM
Quote
Paul was born in Philadelphia on September 21, 1921.

Although severe cerebral palsy kept him out of school, it didn't prevent him from having a remarkable life.

Never having a chance as a child to receive a formal education, Paul taught himself to become a master artist as well as a terrific chess player.

With much humility and a charming, self-depreciating sense of humor, he became a man who excelled at making the lives of those around him much richer.

Paul spoke of his family and of his upbringing in very affectionate terms. He often recalled boating trips on the Delaware River and, later, to Bermuda. It's no surprise that he made a couple dozen pictures of boats and ships.

As a young adult, Paul moved with his parents to Hollywood, Florida where he lived until they passed away.

His incredible visualization and calculation skills helped to make him a formidable chess player. Paul would stop doing just about anything else when he had a chance to play a game!

When typing, Paul used his left hand to steady his right one.

Since he couldn't press two keys at the same time, he almost always locked the shift key down and made his pictures using the symbols at the top of the number keys.

In other words, his pictures were based on these characters ...

@     #     $     %     ^     &     *     (     )     _   

Across seven decades, Paul created hundreds of pictures. He often gave the originals away. Sometimes, but not always, he kept or received a copy for his own records.

Be sure to visit the gallery at this site to see images of his pictures in detail.

As his mastery of the typewriter grew, he developed techniques to create shadings, colors, and textures that made his work resemble pencil or charcoal drawings.

In the sample collection of his work at this site are examples from a variety of stages in Paul's development as an artist.

It's interesting to see how he gradually refined his use of perspective and coloring, and how his subject matter reflected the events and personalities of the times.

From 1967 until his death on June 25, 2007, Paul lived at Rose Haven Nursing Center in Roseburg, Oregon, USA.

He was, and is, an inspiration for all.

Link (http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/)

This has got to be one of the more amazing things I have run accross this year.  WELL worth ones time to visit the site and learn about this amazing man.

Here are just a few examples of his work.
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/seascapes/seascapes_105.jpg)
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/animals/animals_119.jpg)
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/christian/christian_101.jpg)
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/world_war_ii/world_war_ii_101.jpg)
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/world_war_ii/world_war_ii_107.jpg)
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/americana/americana_101.jpg)
and my fav...
(http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/images/gallery/world_war_ii/world_war_ii_116.jpg)
Title: Re: The Incredible Typewriter Art of Paul Smith!
Post by: Holden McGroin on October 08, 2008, 12:48:41 AM
What's a typewriter?
Title: Re: The Incredible Typewriter Art of Paul Smith!
Post by: Shuffler on October 08, 2008, 12:49:18 AM
Simply amazing.
Title: Re: The Incredible Typewriter Art of Paul Smith!
Post by: avionix on October 08, 2008, 05:35:23 AM
Very Cool!!!    :aok
Title: Re: The Incredible Typewriter Art of Paul Smith!
Post by: VonMessa on October 08, 2008, 05:40:44 AM
Yet another awesome talent from Philly  :aok