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Celli presents artwork that weaves through the dynamic fabric of life–showcasing practically everything that can be interpreted in
illustrations. Celli’s 50 years of experience shines through in every
splashy illustration. Celli transports readers to another dimension via
his skill at capturing “the moment” in his collection.
Celli’s back story goes like this: It took him thirty-five years to recapture his
passion, to produce the array of illustrations featured here. Celli’s
artwork, as he notes in the book, reflects the influence of illustrators
such as Al Williamson (cartoonist), B. Krigstein (classic painter),
Norman Rockwell (America culture painter), Edward Hopper (realist
painter), Vittorio Giardino (comic artist), and Jonas Wood (contemporary
artist).
Hopper, Giardino, and Wood are strongest influence that can be seen in Celli’s
illustrations. They offer a swath of vibrant colors that bring
various people and places depicted in the illustrations to life–
readers might feel a special connection with some of these people, which
includes women and children.
On page five, Celli serves up an interesting interpretation from a photo
taken by James Watkins, titled “Crossing the Street in Style.” Depicted
is a woman, confident in her choice of clothing, with a yellow hat and
orange handbag, framed against the backdrop of an intersection on Kearny
Street in San Francisco.
Of all the illustrations in this book, the most intriguing is on page
sixty-two, titled “San Francisco Parrots”–intriguing because it’s amazing
that Celli completed this illustration with the six parrots lined up and that
none of the parrots flew away before he completed the illustration.
Celli is in fine form here–in his element–and at his best!
RECOMMENDED by the US Review