Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The artist said the Internet changed everything.
COLUMBIANA — Indiana Jones searched for treasure; Aragon searched for a ring; and the crew of the USS Enterprise searched for just about anything.
Now, collectors are searching for the artwork of Don Pedicini Jr., and others, who illustrate the best in entertainment and literature.
Pedicini, 37, of Columbiana, draws original artwork based on pop culture figures.
These aren’t the bubble gum packs you might find at a discount store. Pedicini said these are collectible cards found at hobby shops and comic book stores.
“These are original works of art,” Pedicini said.
One of his drawings based on the “Lord of the Rings” book and movie trilogy recently popped up on eBay. The asking price: $226.
“The work of more established artists can go for $1,000 or more,” he added.
Pedicini has two jobs. He is a graphic arts designer who works full time to put out a magazine for model railroaders.
In 2006, he decided to try to break into the collectible cards market by sending out samples of his work. In spring 2007, he said, “I was ready to give up.”
Then the phone rang, and a voice asked him, “How many cards do you want to do?” That was for cards based on movie character Indiana Jones, the hero of three movies starring Harrison Ford.
With the fourth movie in the series coming up, Pedicini said he can’t talk about his work until May 1.
Pedicini now works another 40-hour week doing cards. His drawings are the size they appear: 21‚Ñ2-by-31‚Ñ2 inches.
That’s actually good news. He said if he made the drawings larger, and then reduced them, he’d never get done.
It takes him about one hour to do one drawing. Pedicini, like other artists, will do two, or even three cards that, when placed side by side, create a scene.
Two of his cards show the “Star Trek” character Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, perform the Vulcan mind meld on Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, played by the late DeForest Kelley.
Pedicini did the painting in a pointillist style — a time-consuming technique in which a series of tiny dots are made with the point of the brush. But he had to give up that method in the interest of time.
For every 100 cards an entertainment franchise orders, Pedicini makes 106 cards. The franchise will keep 100 cards and return six to him. He gets to sell those.
Trading and selling cards is no longer a couple of kids making a deal.
“The Internet changed everything,” Pedicini said.
One set of “Star Wars” cards were recently offered on eBay for a cool $7,000. And there are other high-dollar sets available for purchase.
Pedicini credits his art teacher at Liberty High School for never giving a 100 percent grade on any of his projects until his last project. He says that taught him to work at his art.
He went to Youngstown State University, where he got his degree in fine arts.
When it comes to art, the cards are nothing new, he said. Painting and drawing small pictures has been a part of the arts for hundreds of years, he said.
His father, Don, has been in the fine arts for years. Don Jr. lives in Columbiana with his wife, Kristy, and their 18-month-old son, Garon.
Pedicini isn’t sure yet whether Garon will follow in the line of artists. In the meantime, Don Jr. will be talking about his work at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbiana Public Library. People should call the library to make a reservation.
Pedicini said that if he was working in another field, he’d still be doing what he does. “I just always loved to draw,” Pedicini said.
wilkinson@vindy.com