By: Jessica Myers
into the pop art realm of the art world, which had
The name “Andy Warhol” is one that is rec- only started in the 1950s in England. His first ognizable to most people today. Even if you are painting were of a Coke can and the Campbell’s not big into the art world, you still recognize his
Soup can, which he sold as a set at his first gallery
name, and more than likely, you can name some
showing in Los Angeles for $1000. Realizing that
of the work that he is most famous for.
he couldn’t produce paintings fast enough for
Andy Warhol was born August 6th, 1928 as Andrew Warhola. His parents, along with his two older brothers, emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His mother, who was also very artistic, encouraged Andy to be creative through artistic forms, such as drawing, coloring,
what he needed, Warhol began working with the silk screening process. While using the silk screening process, he began painting images of the celebrities from which he had acquired memorabilia of over the years. During his lucrative career as an artist, Andy War-
and cutting and pasting pictures. It is said that his hol created over 60 films, wrote novels about mom would reward him with a chocolate bar for himself as well as about pop art, and even created every coloring book page he completed.
the culture magazine, Interview.
Growing up, Warhol had a tough time, con- Andy Warhol underwent a routine gallbladder tracting Cholera, which left pink blot spots on his surgery on February 21st, 1987. Despite the actualready pale skin. Because of his appearance and al surgery going well, Warhol passed away the his quiet personality, Andy was considered to be next morning at the age of 58. His work is still faan outcast among his peers. From an early age he mous now, with his pop art techniques still being was interested in movies and celebrities, collect- recreated by other artists today. His designs ining celebrity memorabilia, which later ended up
fluenced the culture and the fashion of his times
in a number of his artwork.
and continues to influence us today.
During his time in college, Warhol developed the blotted-line technique, which he used in commercial advertisements and from where his reputation grew. After moving to New York, he created advertisements for I. Miller and even created Christmas cards for Tiffany & Company. It wasn’t until 1960 when Andy decided to enter