Turnings Movie Characters into Works of Art
Turning Movie Characters into Works of Art
Ellicottville’s Shad Nowicki Takes His Inspiration from the Big Screen
Photo courtesy Shad Paints
Artist Shad Nowicki was just a kid when scenes from the 1987 John Candy classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” were shot in western New York - right outside his childhood home! After meeting the whole cast and seeing firsthand how movies are made, Nowicki knew he wanted to learn everything he could about the world of television and film. Today, Nowicki knows this world in a way that very few people do - from the iconic scowl of Wednesday Addams to the determined gaze of Rocky Balboa to the kind-hearted smile of E.T.
Nowicki lives and paints in Ellicottville and is one of the most sought-after pop culture artists in the country. From Hollywood heavy hitters to silver screen legends, the list of stars he’s had the pleasure of painting is staggering, to say nothing of his paintings of celebrities’ family portraits or everyday moments. “Every one has been an experience,” said Nowicki.
On Saturday, May 6, Free Comic Book Day, Nowicki will be a special guest at Dave & Adam’s in Williamsville. Though not a comic book artist per se, Nowicki is known for his portrayals of all kinds of superheroes and villains, among many other pop culture icons. “One of the first actors I painted was Lou Ferrigno,” said Nowicki. Ferrigno, who starred as the Incredible Hulk in the eponymous television series that began in 1977, is one of many celebrities who will be appearing at the Nickel City Comic Con, which is returning to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center from June 30-July 2.
“Michael Rooker from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ will also be at Nickel City,” said Nowicki. “I was hired to do a painting of him like that famous Burt Reynolds centerfold pose. I worked with Donald Gibb from ‘Revenge of the Nerds,’ Steve Guttenberg, the original Captain America… These are my heroes, and these are the guys that - 30 to 40 years ago - were making awesome movies that now are kind of forgotten, but not to me. Meeting them and being able to work for them is a way to say ‘thank you’.”
In addition to his appearance at Dave & Adam’s, Nowicki will also be part of many other events this year. “I usually travel with around 60 paintings, and I’ve also done many prints in the last few years,” he explained. “All are limited, numbered, and signed. It’s a big booth space - basically a gallery on wheels!”
Nowicki will have a booth at the Living Dead Weekend in Pittsburgh from June 9-11, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the movie “Dawn of the Dead,” as well as Nickel City during the last weekend in June. “The shows that I gravitate towards, since I do a lot of work for celebrities, are the more celebrity-based shows,” he said. “Nickel City will have around 25 celebrities and Steel City will have 30 to 35 usually every time.”
When he’s not traveling to events and conventions, Nowicki can be found in his studio working on commissions. Some clients contact Nowicki to paint a favorite scene from a beloved movie or television show, while others commission him to paint portraits and special family moments. “I’m a method painter,” he explained. “If I’m painting something from ‘The Goonies,’ I’ll have it on loop for 12 hours!”
Regarding the celebrities who commission Nowicki for special pieces, he said, “A lot of times, it’s not them doing anything that has to do with the films. A lot of times, it’s having to do with their families. Sometimes, they want a painting from a movie they did that’s not a really famous one, but one they loved.”
Since high school, Nowicki has been devoted to painting, though he also works in several other mediums. “I did oils for 10 years and then realized that just takes too long,” he laughed. “I’ve done acrylics for the past 30 years because they dry quickly and I can use a hair dryer for extra coats. I do lots of detail work and photo realism.” Currently, Nowicki is working on a project that has been under wraps for quite some time. “It is a movie project, and hopefully in the next few weeks, I can talk about it!”
So what would Nowicki be doing if he wasn’t an artist? “If I never painted, I’d love to get into special effects work,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to meet people at the Tom Savini School in Pittsburgh, which is known for that. I really wish they would have had that when I was younger. I lived in the country… One thing that was available to me was painting. Now, later on in life, I find myself doing a lot more sculpting for myself.”
Those who are interested in Nowicki’s prints or would like to commission their own iconic painting can contact him through his website www.shadart.biz or through social media.