Our local newspaper Lititz Record Express came by and did a great article about my Star Wars paintings.
Star Wars Mania: Brushing Up for Opening Night
Kurt Aspland describes himself as a “fan, but not a fanatic” of the Star Wars saga. However, his tribute to the cultural phenomenon from a galaxy far, far away is pretty fantastic.
In honor of the newest installment to the mega-successful film canon, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which opens in theaters Thursday night, the Lititz artist began a tribute series in September — 100 Paintings of Star Wars.
The Artist Awakens
Aspland was in elementary school when the first Star Wars movie opened in 1977. It quickly became the highest-grossing film of all time and triggered a tidal wave of merchandising. Kids of that era couldn’t get enough, from action figures to trading cards.
“I can tell you what movie theater I saw it in and who I saw it with,” he recalls. “It had everything a 10-year-old boy would want; a hero, a menacing villain, swords in the form of lightsabers, a princess and a cool story. For me and others of my generation, seeing that movie in the movie theater is an experience that can never be repeated. You just knew from the very first moment that the movie was going to be something special.”
His favorite character is the heroic Luke Skywalker.
When the prequel movies were released from 1999 through 2005, a second generation of Star Wars fans was born as folks like Aspland brought their kids into this sci-fi fantasy world.
After growing up in Orange County, Calif., and graduating with a BFA from Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Aspland founded a graphic design firm. Clients included Disneyland and Yamaha. However, due to the economic downturn in the late-2000s, he closed that operation and moved his family to the East Coast where he continued as a graphic designer, although his focus shifted to fine art. Initially the family lived in Bel Air, Md., and he was on the faculty at Harford Community College. They moved to Lititz about three years ago.
“I wanted to be within an easy drive to New York City,” he said. “We chose both Bel Air and Lititz for that reason, but Lititz is a great community and there’s a vibrant art scene here and in Lancaster.”
In addition to being a working artist with Aspland Design Studio, he teaches figure drawing at Drexel University and Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and teaches at Luther Acres in Lititz.
When Aspland heard that the new Star Wars movie would be released over the holidays, he started sketching some of the characters. He did the first as summer was winding down, with the intent of creating one a day until the release of the movie.
“Although I originally planned to do 100 pieces, I’ve stopped at 50,” he said. “The project has evolved and the pieces have become more defined. Initially, I would get up and bang a piece out in an hour, but I got more involved in the storytelling and I’m spending five or six hours on one piece. It’s hard to do that every day along with my other commitments.”
May the Tweet be with you
As part of the project, he also ramped up his social media presence. Although he had a Twitter account, he wasn’t really active until the Star Wars series.
“When I started in August, I had 20 followers, now I have thousands,” he said.
Some of those followers include friends in the Sacramento area who have reconnected with Aspland.
“I had a mom in Sacramento who communicated to me that she and her kids check my Tweets every morning, and opening them and looking at the new artwork is ‘almost like Christmas’,” he said.
His Star Wars project was featured on the TV show “Good Day Sacramento,” which in turn led to an article in “Cinemania,” a Spanish magazine, and a segment on Cable-11. His original artwork can be purchased online at kurtaspland.bigcartel.com.
Aspland is looking forward to seeing “The Force Awakens,” but is waiting until his sons are home for Christmas.
“I’m staying away from the pieces about the movie on the Internet,” he added. “I don’t want to see any spoilers. I’ve seen some movie trailers, but I want there to be an element of surprise when I do finally see it.”
Rochelle A. Shenk is a freelance feature writer and regular contributor to the pages of the Record Express. Her all-time favorite Star Wars character is Han Solo. She welcomes reader feedback at raashenk@aol.com.
