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The Etch-A-Sketch® Art of Jeff Gagliardi

Jeff Gagliardi

With almost 35 years experience in Etch-A-Sketch Art, Jeff Gagliardi is known as one of the original, and still one of the best, Etch-A-Sketch artists.

Believe it or not, Jeff never had an Etch-A-Sketch when he was a kid. The first time he seriously tried to draw anything on an Etch-A-Sketch was when he was a college student (at the School of Visual Arts in New York) and was playing with an Etch-A-Sketch that belonged to his nephew.

“I did a drawing of the Taj Mahal complete with reflecting pools. Quite frankly, I didn’t think it was a big deal, but my family wouldn’t let me erase it. From that point on it became apparent that I had some sort of gift for drawing on this silly little toy — people would walk past the serious work I was doing as a painter and want to see the Etch-A-Sketches”.

That was all in the early 1970’s. Since then he’s created countless sketches and continues to enjoy fame and success as an Etch-A-Sketch artist.

Jeff calls Etch-A-Sketch Art “a quintessential American art form, where the medium truly is the message.”

“I love creating works that you wouldn’t expect to see — like a reproduction of a Renaissance master’s work, or the corner of a five dollar bill. It’s a totally familiar subject, but it now has an element of disbelief.”

Jeff has pushed the limits of the Etch-A-Sketch, creating many works that hang vertically (you have to draw it sideways) or have lines that seem not to connect (notice the sketch of the eggs, or the juggler whose pins are disconnected).

Jeff’s Etch-A-Sketch Art has been displayed at the Denver Art Museum and the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, as well as galleries around the country.

He’s been a guest on several ABC and NBC news shows including Good Morning America, and his Etch-A-Sketch work has appeared in many publications including People Magazine, USA Today and Omni Magazine.

Jeff has done many personal appearances at high schools, elementary schools and other events. Contact him for availability. He continues to create new Etch-A-Sketch Artworks and is available for commissioned work as well as personal appearances.

Jeff lives with his wife and three children in Boulder, Colorado where he has his own graphic design and marketing communications business.