The Swartley Gallery Series’ latest exhibit highlights the work of D-E’s own Paul Edwards, who has taught art at the School for seven years. “Artworks From Now and Then” covers Mr. Edwards’ street-inspired illustrations from the ’90s to his most recent caricatures. The gallery hosted a well-attended reception on Thursday, November 7, 2024, and the works are on view through Nov. 22.
“It’s a compilation of a lot of art I’ve done throughout the years,” says Mr. Edwards. “Not one is more important than the others,” he adds, “I have a great deal of passion for all of them.”
Mr. Edwards says he’s wanted to be a commercial artist since he was a kid obsessed with comics in New York City, where “art is around you at all times.”
“My grandfather, my hero, inspired me to do my own stuff,” he says. “When I set out to do that, I was able to make a living as an artist.”
After graduating from Syracuse University, he was in a good position to be ready for the commercial art world. Mr. Edwards credits his college friend, Robb Armstrong, a cartoonist and the creator of the syndicated comic strip “JumpStart” with getting him into caricatures.
Mr. Edwards says what makes the best caricatures is the enthusiasm of the subject: “If the person gives off good energy, that gives you good energy as an artist.”
Eventually Mr. Edwards created his own comic called “For Real” for YSB magazine, a BET publication. He also worked for high-profile media companies such as MTV and Time Life, and his work has been shown in such prestigious galleries as the Smithsonian Design Museum.
His philosophy on teaching art is to “give it your best effort.” He says he’s not convinced that you need a “gift” for art. “People who really want it, go after it,” he says. “I’m here to encourage that and get the best out of you.”
