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I had the pleasure of visiting the Frank Frazetta Museum, also known as the Frazetta Art Museum, in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. After apparently being closed for a while, it reopened early 2014, and I was anxious to check it out. Often hosted by Frank Jr., it is the best place to find answers about one of the most influential fantasy artists of the late 20th century and explore the Frazetta legacy.
If you are not familiar with the artist, taking a look around this fantasy artist museum will quickly familiarize you with his work. The Frank Frazetta Museum houses both originals and reproductions of the famed cover and poster illustrator’s iconic fantasy illustrations. This fantasy art exhibition is arranged chronologically in a small building, revealing the progression and technique of Frazetta’s skills through his fantasy paintings and book cover art.
No doubt the most popular authentic painting at the Frank Frazetta Museum is the Cat Girl painting, consisting of a luscious green jungle with a voluptuous glowing girl in the center of the canvas and with Frazetta’s favorite animal, a black panther, lying on a thick branch above. The painting is one of many that the artist has painted over several times until he was satisfied with its final composition. Close examination reveals this. Also, the painting shows texture and thickness, especially when examining the green that covers the overgrown tree trunks.
Among other notable works in the Frazetta family collection are the famous Death Dealer painting and Conan the Barbarian artwork, which exemplify Frazetta’s mastery in creating powerful and dynamic Barbarian characters. These pieces, along with many others, showcase why Frazetta is considered a pioneer in the fantasy genre.
An avid procrastinator, the artist would often wait until the last minute to do his paintings. The host to the Frank Frazetta Museum revealed that a painting held in an open oven was a method that was sometimes used to aid the oil paintings so that they would dry more quickly. Complete paintings were often done in less than a day, a testament to Frazetta’s incredible skill and speed.
In the Frazetta Art Museum, most of the artwork is done in oil paints with occasional pencil drawings on display. However, there are also sporadic watercolor paintings to be viewed as well. Among the artist’s supplies on display are not professional watercolor sets, but the cheap variety made for children. It goes to show that it is not the quality of the materials, but the quality of the artist that makes a great work of art.
The location and address of the Frank Frazetta Museum, a unique Pocono Mountains attraction, are a bit tricky. Here are some directions: If you go to Google Maps and type in “Uncle Bob’s Storage Stroudsburg, PA”, it will take you to the building across the street from the museum. (104 Joel Street. East Stroudsburg, PA 18301) This is also the address I put into my GPS to bring me to the right area. While heading west up Milford Road, the next left past Uncle Bob’s storage has the private road that leads to the museum.
The ultimate Frank Frazetta resource, which also shows his museum and provides insight into his book cover art and fantasy paintings, is in the documentary “Frazetta: Painting with Fire”. It can be tricky to track down, but it is also available on the bonus disk of Fire and Ice. (affiliate link)
For fans of fantasy art and illustration, the Frank Frazetta Museum offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of one of the genre’s most influential artists. From his early comic works to his later fantasy paintings, the museum provides a comprehensive look at Frazetta’s artistic journey and enduring legacy in the world of fantasy and science fiction art.