FINALLY I GET TO SHOWCASE MY ACTING TO THE WORLD… ONLINE

Thanks to the stars aligning, I've been able to add another item to my bucket list. I just launched my latest online promotional venue, to present my performances from stage and films that I've acted in. 
You guessed it, as the visual above showcases, I've created a 'channel' on YouTube.com.  As some of you know, after a long stretch of life out of the spotlight, last year turned out to be a banner year for me in regards to getting my face out there again, both on stage and on screen. Luckily several of my film roles from last year have begun arriving at my door step, and two of those I've gotten finished copies of. Which allowed me to finally give my friends and family, and whomever discovers them, a chance to actually see what I've been discussing.
Currently there are 2 short films, I worked on in 2015, Bell's Pawnshop where I was featured as Mr. Button, and The Painter, which I was the lead in. I also uploaded a performance of 'Line' from 2007, its presented in 3 parts. Or simply go to the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpifL2GJ8TusV2CjmYRcLvg

MICHAEL JACKSON

BY NEIL FEIGELES

Art was sketched on Wednesday Jan 27, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 30 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

Amazingly, this is the first time I've ever tried to capture the essence and likeness of the late great Michael Jackson. Hopefully my attempt captures a little of the energy that this great entertainer gave us for almost half a century. Considering I've always been a fan of his, & I practically have drawn everyone else, I'd say it was about time. Hopefully, better late then never.

Michael was born in August 29, 1958, and like myself, born on July 30, 1959, most of us grew up simply couldn't get enough of his music. I especially loved his early days as a member of The Jackson Five, since we were practically the same age, it was like I was almost on the stage with him. Never ever missed an episode of the Jackson Five Saturday morning cartoon. His first solo effects, including the Oscar winning song, Ben. I followed his career as he went solo, released his award winning solo albums Off The Wall. and of course Thriller… eventually becoming the biggest star in the world. Until the crazy world of show business and his years of excess and seemingly insanity, eventually ended his extraordinary life way too soon.

I decided to draw Michael, just at the brink of super stardom, still a member of The Jackson Five and still with that amazing afro.

On a personal note, growing up I honestly wanted to be Michael Jackson. Seriously, he was everything I thought was cool. He dressed cool, had the coolest friends, I mean, come on, Diana Ross! He had his own cartoon series. And the kid could sing and dance better it seemed then anyone else, even the grown up on American Bandstand and Soul Train.  

Years a go I came up with an innocent joke, about Michael Jackson, about his vitiligo, after his lightening skin condition became public fodder. Before he said goodbye. Hopefully it will be taken with the love and humor I meant it to be heard. Here goes:

When I was a kid I wanted to be Michael Jackson. Who knew that he wanted to be me, a middle aged White guy.   
Ta. Da. Not exactly funny, now that he's passed, but remember I was saying it in the context that while growing up, I was the white guy in the neighbor, and in fact the entire Public School and Junior High School I attended, I honestly wanted to be a darker shade,  I wanted to be that kid on that stage, singing and dancing, and yes, believe it or not,  I used to use a pick in my hair.  Never got it as big as his, but man I tried. RIP Michael… 

I also scanned the art in stages to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/michael-jackson-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, 

Neil

MARILYN IN BLUE

BY NEIL FEIGELES

Art was sketched on Sunday Jan 24, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

How do I say this, I think like most, I was instantly mesmerized by the beauty, charm and sweetness of the great Marilyn Monroe. I did however realize at a very young age that not only was she the most beautiful sexy female movie star that ever graced the silver screen, she was also an outstanding actress. Whatever the truth is behind her performances, whatever they needed to do to persuade her to get to set. Whatever the supposed issues that she might have had, honestly all of those means nothing to me. I just have her performances, her appearances, her photographs to remember her by. And if thats all I have, I can sit back and smile. It would have been interesting meeting her, or seeing her in person, because when I attempt to capture her, I can only use other peoples eye. So in fact my portraits of Marilyn is more my interpretations of in this case the photographer's view, then of mine, if I had been the great honor of being the photographer of the original photo shoot. 

This isn't the first time I've attempted to capture her likeness, but it is the first time I've tried in Prismacolor.

I also scanned the art in stages to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/marilyn-in-blue-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, 

Neil

GEORGE R. R. MARTIN

FATHER OF DRAGONS

Art was sketched on Saturday Jan 13, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

Honestly I've never read any of the works of George R. R. Martin, I was introduced to his him watching the HBO series Game of Thrones. Which of course was adapted from his A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels. And as most of those who did, I'm a fan his world probably for life
I've been itching to try my hand at sketching this creative genius, and wanted to bring him sense of sweetness and wonder into my attempt. Sometimes the creative person behind the curtain, is as interesting as the characters they've brought into the world. I certainly had fun trying to capture his spirt and hope other like my finished attempt.

I also scanned the art in stages to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/george-r-r-martin-father-of-dragons-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, 

Neil

SUPERGIRL AS PORTRAYED BY

ACTRESS MELISSA BENOIST

Art was sketched on Sunday Jan 10, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

Supergirl as portrayed by actress Melissa Benoit When the word got out that CBS was gonna be filming a Supergirl series, I was interested to see its they could pull it off. I mean, if done properly, would the cornball aspect of a teen female superpowerered heroine work in the year 2015 and beyond, if it was a hit. Luckily the people behind the series, are the same as behind, The CW's fantastic The Flash series, so I had high hopes. Of course, the question of who could play her. Make her believable. Who, like it own, would become the worlds Maid of Steel, if the series worked.

Well, worked it did. Surprisingly it seems, that CBS may have a huge hit on its hand. And the main reason, is who they cast to play Kara Danvers/Supergirl in it.

I had first discovered her on Glee as Marley Rose, and honestly thought she'd be a good Supergirl if they actually did a live action version of the character. Melissa Benoit 

seems to showcase an innocence, a sweetness, almost a naiveté, which is perfect for the role. And so far, as the show has developed, more and more her casting seems to be a stroke of genius. Well for good or bad, Me thinks, the series will be around for a while, and Melissa, get ready to attend Conventions until the end of time. It seems, you just hit the jackpot.

As for the art, I wanted to showcase her in a heroic pose, showcasing her strength without any gimmicks. 

I also scanned the art in stages to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/supergirl-as-portrayed-by-actress-melissa-benoit-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, 

Neil

GUESS I DIDN'T DREAM IT… 

Ta Da! Ladies and Gentlemen, I present my performance in THE PAINTER…

And if you would like to see it, please go to this link you will get to watch the film (at least for the time being). 
The Painter - Directed by Julie Angelo - Featuring Neil Feigeles 

As mentioned in a previous blog from Tuesday, November 24, 2015, http://neilfeigeles.blogspot.com/2015/11/my-first-lead-it-took-me-long-enough.html. I recently got the lead in The Painter, a short, directed by Julie Angelo which I filmed on Monday November 23rd at the New York Film Academy. 

The films only runs 2:37 minutes. 

Its so interesting seeing the film now, the way its lit, how the models are showcased, how I'm filmed. You tell me, what you think… Here are a few screen caps from the film.

See the painting gets some screen time too…

And yes, I got credited on film, and my name's spelled correctly!

Hope you like, let me know, share it if you like or even if you don't. 

Neil

TYRION LANNISTER

AS PORTRAYED BY

ACTOR PETER DINKLAGE

Art was sketched on Wednesday Jan 6, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

Tyrion Lannister as portrayed by actor Peter Dinklage  

As portrayed amazing by actor Peter Dinklage, on the ground breaking HBO series Game of Thrones. Which of course was adapted from the  George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels. 

I like many who have watched this brilliant series have been hooked from the second I sat down to watch it. Sadly, I skipped it at first, having never read the books (I hear they’re good), I honestly wasn’t interested in watching another bad sword and sorcery epic attempt on TV. So I decided to miss it. Not the first time I’ve done a dumb thing. So a week before the second season’s finale aired. I decided to watch all of season one and all of season two (up to the next to last episode of the 2nd season). Figured if I like it, I’d be able to enjoy the finale like everyone else as it was happening.

Well within the first hour, I was hooked, and have been ever since.

Anyway, one of the best parts of the show for me is the character of Tyrion Lannister as played by actor Peter Dinklage. I’ve always admired the man’s talents as an actor, and seeing him play with this great role in this great series, is simply one of the best things I’ve ever watched on television.    

I also scanned the art in stages, to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/tyrion-lannister-as-portrayed-by-actor-peter-dinklage-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, Neil

THE FLASH

AS PORTRAYED BY

ACTOR GRANT GUSTIN

Art was sketched on Saturday Jan 4, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

THE FLASH AS PORTRAYED BY ACTOR GRANT GUSTIN, when the news was announced that Glee TV actor Grant Gustin was cast as The Scarlet Speedster, I was well at least the kid an act and the camera likes him. But will the show new any better then the last attempt and most importantly, how would the suit look and how would they showcase his super powers. 
Happily the powers behind the series, obviously were fans of DCs famed hero. And this time, we've gotten possibly the closet adaptation yet to the printed page of a super hero. And well, the visual effects simply rock.
I decided to attempt this sketch, right after my last, of Captain America, wanted to get the mask out of my system. 

The art was sketched the old fashioned way by hand with PRISMAcolor color pencils on January 4, 2016. The finished art was illustrated on 8 1/2” x 11”  24b white paper 

I also scanned the art in stages, to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-flash-as-portrayed-by-actor-grant-gustin-neil-feigeles.html?newartwork=true

Any questions, comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, Neil

CAPTAIN AMERICA

AS PORTRAYED BY

ACTOR CHRIS EVANS

Art was sketched on Saturday Jan 2, 2016  © Neil Feigeles  

Hand drawn with Prismacolor color pencils on 24 lb, 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.

CAPTAIN AMERICA AS PORTRAYED BY ACTOR CHRIS EVANS, who knew something so corny sounding could be so freaking great! Captain America has always been one of my most favorite characters. I was personally introduced to the creation of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, in the pages of Marvel Comics, The Avengers # 4 approximately 50 years ago and have loved him ever since.

When Marvel announced that they would be making their own films, the one I was most excited about was Captain America, seeing Steve Rogers' transformation into the iconic hero. Who would play him, would the movie be a cheeseball, could they realistically showcase his abilities, and about that Red Skull character, 'if' he was in it,  how were they gonna pull this one off and make it work. It had been tried decades earlier and boy I was on pins and needles.

Well this time, it worked, and better then i could have ever dreamed. Amazingly they actually got everything right. And as I sat back and watched the flick for the first time of many, all I kept saying was they did it. Best of all, they chose (as it seems is the case with all their castings) the perfect actor to pick up the mantle of the hero and bring it to life. 
In the case of Captain America, they chose Chris Evans, and boy was I happy. After watching FOX's first Fantastic Four film, as soon as Chris appeared on screen, I went Johnny Storm. And luckily for all of us, the casting geniuses, also saw it and made me a very happy fan boy and seemingly the entire world.

One of the highlights of Captain America The First Avenger, was that they actually showcase his comic book uniform and they made it work. In a wonderful sequence, the good Captain is being used as a promotional tool to help raise funds for the war effort, by selling War Bonds.   

Even though they seemingly perfectly captured his iconic 1940's uniform, they altered one aspect of it, his ears were hidden. So… I decided to ring in the New Years' by sketching the good Captain, with ears. 

The art was sketched the old fashioned way by hand with PRISMAcolor color pencils on January 2, 2016. The finished art was illustrated on 8 1/2” x 11”  24b white paper 

I also scanned the art in stages, to showcase this was done by hand. 

Hope you like… If you do, and would like to see more, please check out the link: 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/captain-america-as-portrayed-by-actor-chris-evans-neil-feigeles.html 

Any questions, comments, suggestions… commissions… let me know… thanks, Neil