Hey, Mr. Watts! Thanks for sharing your stories of my grandfather. It helps me to relive my own memories with him, and to get to know him better from another perspective. The way you described him sitting on the floor eating candy while watching a movie is exactly as I remember him-- he just wanted to have fun and enjoy life! Thanks again :)

@mr.e1944

2 жыл бұрын

That is really cool to have so many people know and love your grandfather! Glad you got another reminder of him.

@-davidolivares

2 жыл бұрын

Def the “cool “ uncle, which is what I try to be.

@dplj4428

Жыл бұрын

Although I could mention many more, I was most inspired by the Froud brothers, Frank Frazetta, Moebius, Norman Rockwell, USPS stamp illustrators, and 2 pages of Sunday cartoons.

@skadbone

Жыл бұрын

your grandfather was the man! " Painting with Fire,", very inspirational , GiD Bless, Craig

@mikeliterus4611

10 ай бұрын

You're grandfather painted with real magic.

Great memories, Jeff! Please come back to this location for a visit - The Boca Grande Frazetta Art Museum reopens February 2022.

@karensielski4159

2 жыл бұрын

Let me start by saying i live in Rotonda West which is only 15 min to Boca Grande. Frazetta is one of my fav's as well, and i happened to watch this about 2 months ago and saved it. flash forward to early this month when i took my visiting college roomie over to Boca Grande and we parked and were walking around and JUST happened to walk down this street and she says to me, look a art museum (I'm an artist now able to do it full time :-)] and as i look at the sign, I can't believe my eyes...THE MUSEUM THAT JEFF IS TALKING ABOUT ( albeit the town is a bit built up now)...it was freaking awesome .. i have a pix to prove it, i just can't figure out how to insert it here. I will be back since i live so close !!! thanks for all this special stuff ( and hey, i am a native NY'er as well)

I had the pleasure of visiting the Frank Frazetta museum in East Stroudsburg, PA about 20 years ago, I did not meet Frank but I did met his wonderful wife "Ellie" , who was so friendly, she talked of Franks camera collection and I have memories of my little boy playing in Franks turtle pond.

@anthonyw2931

2 жыл бұрын

man, I'm jealous.

@marks9140

Жыл бұрын

That's interesting. I also had visited the museum when Frank was still alive but not well. His wife was there and was complaining about how he had traded some of his paintings for some camera equipment. She was pretty annoyed by it. I'm so grateful to have seen so much of his collection in one place when it was still intact. I just wish I had been able to meet the Man himself - he has been such an icon for me.

Great post Jeff. The man was an art-god

I know this video is aging, but I'm glad it's up on the web. Having never met the man and only studying his art to improve fluid technique in my pencils, it's wonderful to hear stories from people who were there and actually interacted with this man while he was alive. Thank you.

The reason I started reading the Conan stories was because of the Frazetta covers. Once I got into the stories I felt the pairing of Robert E. Howard & Frank Frazetta was perfect. Both were powerful in their crafts. The later Conan books written from incomplete manuscripts/notes by ghost writers didn't compare to Howard's work and the covers by other artists were lacking as well.

@mikeliterus4611

10 ай бұрын

Same here man. I was 12 when I first saw a Conan novel and the art is what caught my eye. I bought the book and then ended up collecting all of Robert E. Howard's novels. I have been a fan ever since.

I think I've never seen Jeff so exited jajajaj. Great Watts Weekly!

@paintapps6293

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, usually sounds like he has a stick up his butt

@erickdraws9563

2 жыл бұрын

@@paintapps6293 lol why do you think that?

@iurivanastacio3081

2 жыл бұрын

@@paintapps6293 lol

I remember several years back our local Austin Texas Wizard World convention was having a display of some original Frazetta paintings were on display in a separate gallery there. I took my eight year old nephew to see them. and although he was into TLOTR and Harry Potter, This was his first exposure to Frazetta's art and he was amazed at seeing the original Death Dealer, and Egyptian Queen among many other works there and he just couldn't get enough of seeing Frazetta's masterpieces while he was there.

@martyemmons3100

11 ай бұрын

I remember seeing a few pen and ink pieces of characters from "Lord of the Rings" that Frank Frazetta had made. The one I remember vividly is Gollum. Frazetta had Gollum paddling on what looked like a leaf across a lake or pond. It seems to me that Frank enjoyed (loved) to create images.

My dad and I visited Frank's museum in PA together when I was in college. It was an incredible, transformative experience to visit the museum. Driving through the property and driving past the mammoth-sized sculptures of reptiles from his work was incredible and the little pond in front of the museum made it feel like you were really in one of his paintings. It was truly immersive. Frank arrived to the museum right before we got there - turns out that this was 1 of the 3 days he visited his own museum that year alone. We walked around the museum for 30 minutes and he gave us his own tour; showed us his work, told us what he was thinking or what was going on when he painted certain pieces. I have his signature on a little piece of cardboard I brought with me - he signed it with his right hand too - which if anyone knows the facts, he lost motor skill in his right hand and needed to learn to draw with his left hand after a former stroke. My dad and I made the trip to Frazetta's after I decided to re-learn animation, and similar to your story - I would say there was a moment of reflection to say, "I'm on the right path" as well after meeting him.

Love this story. Appreciate you sharing

Thank you so much! Yoiu’re a wonderful storyteller! My childhood icon has suddenly grown even larger in esteem and respect.

I'm only 6mins and 40 secs in, and i gotta say I LOVE these types of Stories, and I could honestly listen ALL DAY, im lookin a t the time line on this video already going "No, don't end keep telling these Art stories :)" these are the best, thanks for Sharing Jeff....now back to the video :P

What a fantastic memory.

A great story needs a great storyteller. What a wonderful time I had listening to you talk about your time with the legendary Frazetta. Thanks for sharing.

Inspirational.

Wow! What a rare and invaluable experience to have had. It would be one thing to simply meet FF, but to have lunch and dinner with him, a personal tour, and a extended critique of your work, that really is a treasured gift. One regret I have in life is not making my way somehow to the Frazetta Museum. At least I can live a little vicariously through your storytelling. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

I love Frank's frankness. It was one of his best qualities.

Fantastic story. Wrote many thank you letters to him for inspiring me to take my art to a professional level. I met Ellie a couple times. Appreciate your time passing on the story.

Great story and you painted it so vividly with humor and enthusiasm. Thanks for bringing us as close as most of us will ever get to the best to ever do it.

Love this story, hence I'm listening to it a 2nd time a year later

Great story about your meeting and spending time with the legend, Frank Frazetta ! Glad you followed your heart. There are times in our lives that we are directed to meet with others, and I'm glad you took the opportunity ! He certainly sounded like a gracious host and someone that was fun to be around. I'm very happy for you, and enjoyed your retelling of the experience with this great man. One in a million chance ! The world will miss him.

thanks for sharing your experience with Frank Frazetta

a good Frazetta story, thanks Jeff.

Thank you Jeff for sharing Frank was a big influence for me when I was a younger man

Thank you for the story. Great to hear about your adventure.

Damn you are so lucky! I'd probably go for that adventure too if I'd meet Frank Frazetta. It would be my most amazing time of life to see in person my greatest art influence!

Great video. Frazetta is #1

Thank you for sharing your memories

Thank you so much for sharing these stories about one of the most influential artists ever. As is the story with many professional artists, Frazetta was probably the biggest influence on me wanting to do art for a living. My first "real" art book was the Art of Frank Frazetta with the Egyptian Queen on the cover. I spent endless hours studying every brush stroke of those paintings not knowing how anything like that was possible. The passion that he kindled and so many others have stoked has pushed me through a 30 plus year career where I'm now doing official fine art work for Disney and Lucasfilm. There will never be another artist like Frazetta. He will always be the Grandmaster.

Wow what a cool story on how you meet Frank. I have been a fan since I was a young boy. I'm 53 now wear did my life go 🤔? Great video thank you! Keep doing your great work. I mean great art. Thank you again

My apprentice is best friends with Frank’s granddaughter and we are luckily 5 minutes from his Museum. The paintings are amazing in person I’m thankful to be able to go see them that easily. All the best and great art work yourself to 👍 Great story

thanks so much for sharing this beautiful experiences of yours :)

Wow! What a story. Lucky you. Great storytelling , by the way. Gretings from Sweden!!

What a great story, thank you for sharing. I have always been a big fan of Frazetta’s work. Hearing your story made my day.

Lovely story; not just about the man, but incisive about the fleeting opportunities of youth and the need to run with them and appreciate them if we are lucky enough to encounter them. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing this great story!

I lived in Stroudsburg from 86 on till late 2000's and i Loved!! going to Frazetta's in East burg especially right before Holloween.

Marvelous Jeff ! Thank you for this recollection of encountering the great man.

I'm very happy for You! As with so many, Frazetta is my all-time favorite artist! What a truly great experience and Golden Memory to be blessed with! If it would have been Me, lucky enough to have been in your situation, I would have done only one thing differently...I would have taken that Pickled Egg! If they're done right, they can be fabulous, and I'll bet that was a good one! 🙂

Really nice to listen to Jeff's experiences and stories. So cool to see masters enjoy the same artists you do.

oh man this was so nice to listen to!!

I would kill for those books.

What a beautiful recounting Jeff. Frazetta fan here, and now a fan of yours as well. Enjoyed the hell out of the whole video. Inspiring and fun. Thank you so much!

Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you for this amazing story. Frazetta is my favorite artist and the reason I got serious into art. That part where you said 'Frank is like Sinatra, he did it his way" pretty much sums up Frazetta!

You are tremendous storyteller. What a fantastic experience and I'm so glad you decided to go see Frank. Surreal and exciting experience. ❤️

Frank Frazetta was one of my artistic heroes if you will, and one of the very reasons I got into doing artwork. He, Steve Ditko, John Romita Sr., John Buscema, and the late great Jack Kirby were my gods. Still are to this day. Thanks for sharing Jeff. It definitely brought back memories of when I fell in love with their artwork. Happy holidays!

Absolutely fantastic video.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Thank you so much for this one!

Thank you. On a day when life has been a little too overwhelming, I made a cup of coffee and headed to the studio, my comfort zone, to try and regroup. I opened youtube to get some background music going and your video is in the feed. Instinctively, I clicked the link. Watching the video brought a much needed smile to my face. We never know whose lives we touch in unimaginable ways. Today you did just that. So, thank you, once again.

Absolutely amazing story of meeting an amazing artist and national treasure like Mr. Frazetta, you can't help but smile while listening, thank you so much for this video

I started my drawing interest copying Frazetta in early 70s ! I still to this day will master copy him too learn. Most recently , moth man. This was great to watch thanks for your story !

What an awesome opportunity & interaction! Thanks for the stories and keeping the awareness of a true master alive! Best wishes & happy new year Jeff!

As a kid I remember copying his work all the time. Others copied Frank's style but he was the master.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I agree about the way things work out at times to push you forward when you are uncertain. Experienced it myself and looking back I'm still baffled.

Wow, this is so awesome! That’s one hell of a story

Hey, Jeff, this is such a great story. Thanks for sharing!

That was a beautiful reminiscence of a great decision to meet a master of his craft, many many times we don’t make the right decision and we have to live with that forever too. Kudos

Thanks for the story! It was great.

I think one of the great things about this experience is that it happened pre-smartphone and pre-social media. People who have their phones practically surgically attached will never know how great it is to be fully present in a great moment and be able to recall it more vividly than if they were preoccupied with taking pictures and videos. Not to mention the ability to look back and laugh at being lost. Thanks Jeff.

Thank you for this! Night of the Hunter! One of my favorite movies. I truly treasure this whole story.

Thanks Jeff. I enjoyed your enthusiasm and hearing in your gratitude. I met your dad once or twice many years ago. He was a kind soul.

You're the man, Mr. Watts. Thanks for sharing your experience with us the public. I have been tremendously blessed by your demos and expansive knowledge base talks references. Blessings from the Creator and this Caribbean national.

I never got the chance to meet Frank, but he's been my hero since 70s. Thanks for sharing your experience..

Thank you for sharing this. What a wonderful memory and a great story to share. My art teacher had a copy of the American Artist issue that featured his work and that was how I was introduced to his work. I was in middle school (called Junior High School back then). After that the Ballantine books came out, I collected them all.

Beautiful story, thank you

This has to be the *coolest* story I have ever heard. This single-handedly re-sparked my dedication to my artistic journey.

I enjoyed this very much, thank you. You are very lucky to have had the time with Frank that you did.

Great, great story, Jeff! I was really into it. The way you told it with so much passion, as you remembered it, was wonderful. I found myself literally visualizing what you experienced, as you told it, in your meeting with Frank Frazetta. Those types of experiences in any of our lives are 'hallmarks' we can't ever forget. Thank you for sharing it.

What a beautiful story about Mr. Frazetta, thank you for sharing.

Thank you.. this was great I'm a big fan

Wow... WOW!!! What a story! I can only imagine. In situations similar to that I try to put myself in the "master's" shoes. It's hard. When people are just heaping praise on you it's very difficult if you have a healthy psyche. On the other hand, when a man reaches that rarified air one of the most fulfilling and pleasurable rewards of that success is to mentor and encourage the next generation in your field. It's that unique phase in life where competition gives way to sharing. The battles are over, the wars have been won and you put down your weapons. The next generations swarm around you desperate to hear the stories and glean the invaluable information. Identifying and encouraging the best that come after is a sublime gift. Life's gold retirement watch. I say men because that's the only thing I can speak of with any level of accuracy having met many and entered that phase myself. Women in that situation may react the same or totally different. All I know is it's likely different. Maybe better. If women would like to correct me or enlighten me I look forward to it.

truly heart warming to hear all this, thanks for sharing

Wow! Thank you!!!

Jeff, i cannot say how much your telling of spending time with the MAN and every detail that you can remember, makes me feel like i got to meet Frazetta. He never saw himself the way the world saw him. People like him never really grow up, they are children forever. Thank God for that. Thank you again listening to you. I feel like i took the trip myself.

Great storytelling!

I really love this video, I can tell people will benefit highly from vlogs in the atelier and seeing how the students work etc

I was engrossed. Great remembrances. Frazetta has been legend to me from the first time I saw his work which was in the mid sixties on the Conan paperbacks. I was always amazed at his style. Still have my trades of his works. I would bet his Death Dealer has been copied umpteen times. Me included. Thanks for relating your experience with the master... 👍

Frazetta one of my very favorite artists next to Sergei Bonart.

Thanks for the time stamps man

Wow Jeff!! .... I always knew that you were a big fan of Him, but I had no idea that you were able to experience all of that!! amazing!! Frazetta is my "most" favorite Artist Ever! Thank you for this incredible story. This is Benjamin, Remember me? lol!

Wow! Thx Watts... I really enjoyed your candor in describing your meeting with Frank. Happy Holidays To you and your Family, Peace

This was a ride (in time), thanks a lot for sharing this!! And maybe you didn't see a dinosaur but you met 🐐

Great story!! 🎨🖌

For me, its the sparking off your peers- so special when it happens.

That's really cool Jeff , Your work has always reminded me of Franks work . I can see it in your work , and I've always loved Frank's stuff . It's really cool you got to meet him and get tips and compliments . 👍

I came here by accident, but your story really grabbed me! I felt the excitement you experienced because you expressed it so well. Furthermore, that is the kind of story that makes us want to stay on course and follow our dream and produce good art. It was a pleasure listening to this. Thank you so much for sharing that story with us!

Amazing story!!!

I loved this.

Great Vid. Last year my wife and I got to visit the Frazetta museum in Connecticut. Had a great visit with Frank Jr. and his wife and daughter. Frank gave us a full tour of the place and was full of stories and answered my many questions. For any lover of painting and illustration, it is a must visit. Wish I could have met him in life, but when I draw and paint, I think of him and feel his spirit guiding my hand with the love of creation

That was beautiful, thank you for sharing it! I needed that.

What a great story and what a great experience !

That’s so freakin awesome. Thanks for sharing this story, Jeff!

great story!

Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment. I love watching all of the Atelier videos :D

I enjoyed this thoroughly. Good for you to be able to have lived this experience. You have an enjoyable delivery in your speaking. I could've watched an hours long version of this.

Thank you so much for this story. Frazetta is the man who made me want to be an artist. I saw his work the first time when I was 10! It's great to hear what a cool and humble guy he was. He is just an all around true legend.

Great story Jeff. I remember you telling parts of that years ago at your school. Hope all is well.

You're a great storyteller!