In
February 1997, Hofstra University issued a "CALL FOR PAPERS"
to historians, academicians, entertainers and all persons
interested in commenting on the cultural impact of Frank
Sinatra's career. My paper was one of a select few chosen
for presentation at the conference on Friday, November 13,
1998.
"The Odyssey" of my painting of
Frank Sinatra chronicles how I became interested in the
music of Mr. Sinatra (watch the video below) and presents the history of my
original painting in celebration of his career. For me,
Frank Sinatra is truly the quintessential musician - the
standard by which all popular vocalists are measured! At the
conference I had the pleasure of meeting accomplished
artists such as LeRoy Neiman, Robert Berks, and Steve
Kaufman (see program below). I was greatly honored by
Hofstra University and The Sinatra Estate for this
opportunity. Again, thank you very much!
In 2002, I wrote an
original screenplay based on "The
Odyssey" and I am
pursuing production. Consequently, proprietary
considerations involving the screenplay prohibit its
availability on this web site.
Hofstra University published the conference volumes (papers) sometime in
2003 or 2004. Please contact and support Hofstra University
by inquiring about the availability and purchase of the
conference publication.
BACKGROUND - In 1978, while buying music at the Rolling Stone music store in downtown Chicago, I noticed at least two, maybe three crates, each at least three-(3) feet deep containing LPs only by Frank Sinatra. I'd never seen so much "product" for only one individual. I always liked Sinatra, but, wow, I didn't know he had recorded so much music. I immediately purchased two albums, and started playing Sinatra's music more any other artist. When I discovered Sinatra would soon be performing in Chicago, I quickly purchased a ticket (that's right - I went to the concert all by myself) and had a great seat not from from the stage.
I had my sketch pad with me
(like always), and before the
concert began I started
the sketch below . . .
Smokey's concerts did not come with a thirty-(30) page souvenir concert program booklet (below); so, being intrigued, I stopped sketching, started to thumb through it and . . .
I found this illustration,
and I immediately said to
myself, "Is this really the
best Frank Sinatra can
come up with?"
Really?
In 1980, I created an original oil-on-canvas, 4' by 4' portrait of Frank Sinatra (at right), and inquired about licensing the artwork for an album cover or possibly for fund raising calendar. Frankly, I only produced this painting after becoming unemployed from a major insurance company in metro Chicago. At the time, my "significant other" strongly encouraged me to work as an artist full-time, but I respond, "That starving artist crap doesn't work for me. You remember what happened to me at NIU, and how I couldn't even get an entry level job for over a year during the oil embargo. So, are you going to support me financially?" There was immediate silence, then as she turned and walked away she said, "Come on, Trip, at least give it try, for a little while."
I chuckled internally, because I knew she had absolutely no stomach, nor did I, to live "free" off of anyone. Bottom line, just because I don't work full-time as a graphic artist doesn't mean I gave up on art, which I've demonstrated throughout my life. Meanwhile . . .
It took me about three-(3) weeks to complete my career spanning portrait of Frank Sinatra, and upon completion, I promptly began making contacts to discover options, and acquire permission, for "multimedia" use of the painting.
Eventually, a contact at Sinatra's record label, Reprise Records, directed me to Sarge Weiss at Sinatra Enterprises.
I immediately received
a "cease-and-desist"
warning letter feedback from
Mr. Sinatra's attorneys.
I promptly responded, correcting them of their error, because I clearly and properly initiated contact to formally request permission.
Sinatra's attorney acknowledged my letter of May 27, 1981, and that there was no interest at that time.
Sinatra's public relations representative thanked me for alerting their office.
In response to Kitty Kelly's negative book about Frank Sinatra's career, I contacted Sinatra's attorney, Milton Rudin, about the possibility of using my painting to "promote a positive image" of his career. Rudin responded . . .
I promptly responded, correcting Rudin of his error, and made a counter-offer that permanently established the veracity
of my intent.
Without admitting his error,
Rudin's tone was no longer
negative, and subsequent
communications have been
open, professional, and positive.
In February 1997,
Hofstra University issued a
"CALL FOR PAPERS" to historians, academicians, entertainers and all persons interested in commenting
on the cultural impact of Frank Sinatra's career. My paper was
one of a select few chosen for presentation at the conference on Friday, November 13, 1998.
In 2003, I started participating in street art or chalk art festivals, which are typically conducted as large fundraising events for charitable organizations, attracting thousands and thousands of "foot traffic" of all ages. Instead of reproducing classic European art or animated characters, eventually I decided to do a character study of Frank Sinatra, primarily to: (a) remind adults of Frank Sinatra's career; and (b) for those unaware of Frank Sinatra, to prompt them to ask me and generate interest. I produced freehand illustrations of Frank Sinatra in 2018, 2007, 2006, and 2005.
In 2007, in response to consistently positive public feedback from my Frank Sinatra chalk art at festivals in Denver, Colorado and San Diego, California I inquired if the Frank Sinatra Foundation would like to officially endorse me, with or without financial support, to participate in chalk art festivals throughout the U.S. I did not receive a response.
In 2013, to celebrate Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday on December 12, 2015, I proposed a multimedia calendar designed to primarily function as a fundraising tool for The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts but much more!
Unlike traditional print-based calendars that focus only on visual images, the Frank Sinatra 100th Anniversary Calender was designed with diverse print-based, community-based, and online cross-marketing opportunities strategically designed to:
1. Serve as a platform to market the talent of Frank Sinatra to his existing fan base;
2. Serve as a platform to market the talent of Frank Sinatra to newaudiences (increase the fan base);
3. Continuously encourage the sale of Frank Sinatra merchandise (CDs, videos, paintings, posters, etc.);
4. Provide direct cross-marketing tie-ins to sell Sinatra's extremely robust music library via BMG/RCA, Sony/Columbia/Legacy, Capitol, and Warner Reprise;
5. Provide vendor support;
6. Generate fund raising opportunities 365 days of 2015, 24 hours a day, 7 days each week; and
7. Serve as a "licensable" fund raising tool for other K-12 "school of the arts" domestically and internationally.
Artistically, to capture the tone and atmosphere of Mr. Sinatra's career, all images will be linked to one of two themes, the "Career Scope" or "Artistic Legacy" of Frank Sinatra.
The dominant "showcase" images for each month would be produced as original, photo/realistic, oil on canvas paintings by "celebrated visual artists," which would also be available as limited edition prints and posters.
A cross marketing cell containing three-(3) images appear at the top of each page to:
Image 1: promote the sale of exclusive photographs of Frank Sinatra ("A Man");
Image 2: promote the sale
of Sinatra's music ("His Music"); and
Image 3: promote the sale of Sinatra's original paintings ("His Art").
I received permission to submit an official business proposal, projected to generate $2,274,700 USD, and I produced a "proof of concept" web site.
On November 4, 2013 at 3:37 PM I received the following feedback:
Hi Trip, Hope you are well. I’m sorry I haven’t been back to you with feedback sooner. We really appreciate your interest and detailed proposal but are going to pass on this for the moment. I’ll be in touch if anything changes. Best,
Nevertheless, as Frank Sinatra sang, "The Best Is Yet To Come!"
My
original screenplay of "The
Odyssey" will likely be considered as one of the greatest "mike drops" of all time!
Artistically, to capture the tone and atmosphere of Mr. Sinatra's career, all images will be linked to one of two themes, the "Career Scope" or "Artistic Legacy" of Frank Sinatra. 
