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Andrea Mistretta is an accomplished American visual artist known for her captivating and expressive works. Born on June 16, 1957, in Suffern, NY, Mistretta's talent emerged at an early age fueling her passion for the arts. With a diverse range of artistic skills, she has made a significant impact in various mediums, particularly in the field of visual arts.

Mistretta's artistic journey began with no formal training. Her understanding and technical skills developed through observing her creative mother Rose’s drawing. Her father John’s screen print shop, Techni-Screen, adjacent to her family’s home in suburban Waldwick, NJ was surrounded with an extensive bucolic garden that her family cultivated. Andrea’s environment included a broad exposure to music ranging from classical, opera, swing, jazz, standards to rock. It all enhanced her imagination to inspired dedication to her talent that garnered attention leading to numerous accolades and recognition.

Her interest in theatrical costume (Photo) as a teen brought her to local theater with the Joe Jefferson Players (Ridgewood NJ) After graduating Waldwick H.S. in 1975, she studied period dress at New York City’s prestigious Traphegan School of Design.

As she evolved instead as a freelance fashion catalog illustrator, other varied modes of artistic hire were discovered as her portfolio circulated in New York’s advertising and editorial orbit.

The Society of Illustrators’ selected her on-trend art to display at its annual exhibition when she was 19. It initiated her membership to the Society of Illustrators, The Graphic Artists Guild and The Art Directors Club of New Jersey. This action expanded her realm of continued freelance art working possibilities. Mistretta became recognized for her unique style of representational illustration with elements of surreality. Her works often explore themes of identity and emotions, resulting visually striking compositions for editorial, advertising. Her ability to visually convey new concepts, develop characters and design graphics garnered her a broadening clients base that spanned adult and juvenile markets. Such clientele included Nintendo, Disney, Forbes, NBC-TV.

In 1985, the premier edition of the magazine Airbrush Action included the first of several published articles in various magazines focusing on the medium of airbrush by Mistretta, including international publications as German/English AirBrush Step by Step and French, German, Flemish editions of AirBrush Art & Action.

As a recipient Airbrush Action magazine sponsored Alberto Vargas Award, Mistretta was placing among luminaries of this art medium’s genre including, Charles White III, H.R. Giger, Ed Roth, Drew Struzan, Mark Frederickson, Jerry LoFaro and others.

When Mistretta learned Society of Illustrators accepted her for a solo exhibit in February 1986. She would highlight a personal painting titled “Mardi Gras” that initiated her proposal of an innovative promotional co-op with to Linweave Fine Papers of Holyoke, MA to introduce its new “Mardi Gras” paper. About the same time a synchronistic event occurred when Mistretta’s friend Karen Charatan journeyed to New Orleans on business. Charatan brought a Polaroid photo of Mistretta’s Mardi Gras painting French Quarter to explore any gallery’s interest in purchasing the painting. By happenstance Charatan introduced the image to gallerist/socialite Margarita Bergen. Bergen sensed Mistretta’s art would garner success as a commemorative New Orleans Mardi Gras poster. In a spontaneous move Bergen phoned Mistretta to offer to publish and distribute the image as a poster only in exchange for a royalty fee which enthusiastically accepted by Mistretta.

The French Quarter’s burgeoning commemorative event poster market of the 1980’s was unlike any other in the world. (article) Mistretta’s coincidental joint venture for an promotional barter for the entire production cost enabled an unprecedented quantity and lowest retail for high quality art print. The resulting buying frenzy catapulted Mistretta’s Mardi Gras poster status as the most successful and coveted poster artist. (Arthur Hardy's Mardi Gras Guide) Mistretta became known in the following years for expertly capturing the essence of Mardi Gras in portraiture with its vibrant celebration of color, and dynamic spirit of revelry.(Blaine Kern Mardi Gras World) Four-decades later the series became the longest-running annual commemorative poster series created by one artist, on one theme, in history. (Antonio Reynaldo, Assistant Professor - Ohio State University, Ret.)

Mistretta's artistic versatility as an illustrator extended beyond traditional media. She coined the term “tradigitalism” when she ventured into the realm of digital art. By pushing creative boundaries, it offered her a fresh perspective within the new medium that captivated mass audiences by combining her traditional hand-painted illustration with digital support to increase her new body of working art. The traditional/digital media set Mistretta on a new trajectory that led to joining forces with the innovative Lindy Bowman Company in 1995. It is when her artistic prowess was showcased to a massive consumer audience enabling her to amass a new art collection which she designed and copyrighted specifically to be licensed to the social expressions, collectables, and home décor industries from 1995 to 2015)

Andrea Mistretta’s artistic expression thrived, though a dark cloud of uncertainty loomed over the creative community in the early 2000s when a bill known as "Orphan Works" threatened to compromise the copyrights of artists across all fields of creativity. However, amidst this storm, Andrea emerged as a beacon of hope to protect all artists’ rights because of her belief in the power of art and the importance of honoring the creative process. When she learned of the potential dangers posed by the Orphan Works bill, she decided to take a stand. With her passion and determination, she embarked on a journey to rally artists from all walks to preserve the integrity of their artistic endeavors.

Mistretta joined forces with like-minded artists, Brad Holland, and many others that formed The Illustrators Partnership and OWOH, coalitions to fight against the Orphan Works bill. Together, they utilized their collective talents to bring awareness to the wider public through thought-provoking and emotionally charged artworks. Using her artistic talents and voice as a storyteller, Mistretta captured the essence of the artists' plight by painting a vivid picture of the consequences of the bill to legislators at the Small Business Administration’s sponsored economic impact roundtable at the Salmagundi Club, NYC on Aug 8, 2008, when she depicted the desperate depths of a world without copyright protection, where originality withered away, and artists lost their means of livelihood.

Legislators were moved by the depth and sincerity of Mistretta's message, recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding artistic copyrights for artists and preservation of creativity itself. As her influence grew, Mistretta's works became a powerful catalyst for change. Politicians and lawmakers reconsidered the implications of passing such a bill, recognizing the importance of preserving creativity and the livelihoods of artists across all disciplines including visual, musical, and literary artists. Ultimately, the bill was defeated.

Andrea Mistretta's passionate advocacy and artistic talent had not only saved artist copyrights from being compromised by the Orphan Works bill but had also ignited a renewed appreciation the generates value of artistic imagination and expression that profoundly shapes the creative world.https://www.copyright.gov/orphan/comments/noi_11302012/Mistretta-Andrea.pdf

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Mistretta actively engages in the art community sharing her knowledge through mentoring and has earned her respect and admiration from fellow artists.

Her dedication to nurturing creativity, support of historic preservation and artistic contributions have solidified her place as a revered and influential artist in contemporary art resonating with audiences worldwide.

As her career spans nearly a half century, Mistretta continues to evolve as an artist, constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft. Her enduring commitment to artistic exploration, combined with her technical mastery and emotional depth, cements her legacy as a true visionary in the world of art.

https://www.bradholland.net https://illustratorspartnership.org https://illustratorspartnership.org/2008/08/05/more-about-the-orphan-works-roundtable/ https://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/08/80808-sba-hearing-on-orphan-works.html

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Social+expressions%27+scope+grows.+(Social+Expressions).-a082574577

Bibliography:

NorthWest Bergen Magazine: Feb 2024

https://citylifestyle.com/northwestbergen/issues/2024-02

https://citylifestyle.com/articles/andrea-mistrettas-colorful-life

Autumn Years Magazine: Winter 2022, It's a Beautiful Life

Inside New Orleans Magazine: Jan. 2022, Cover Feature: Brilliant Illusions

https://issuu.com/jblpublishing/docs/2202web

https://digitaleditions.walsworth.com/publication/?m=32491&i=730524&p=36&ver=html5

Italian Tribune - Est.1931

https://italiantribune.com/andrea-mistretta-an-icon-of-mardi-gras/

https://italiantribune.com/mistretta-unveils-34th-mardi-gras-print/

https://italiantribune.com/artist-andrea-mistrettas-painting-in-new-orleans/

Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide 2019 article: Parade of Posters by Andrea Mistretta

Mardi Gras Parade of Posters, Pelican Pub. 2010

Times Picayune News

The Advocate News

Tulane University

Inside New Orleans Magazine

Go Magazine

Where Magazine

The Artist Magazine

Air Brush: The Studio Hand Book, Radu Vero

Air Brush Action

Air Brush Art & Action

Air Brush Step by Step Step by Step Magazine

How Magazine Italian Tribune https://italiantribune.com/?s=Andrea+Mistretta

Bergen Herald Bergen Record New Jersey Creative Monthly Adweek Who’s Who Copyright for the 90s Autumn Years Magazine 201 Magazine Rockland County Magazi Awards: Art Directors Club of NJ Medal Society of Illustrators COGAP Print Magazine

Associations Graphic Artists Guild Society of Illustrators The Illustrators Partnership Art Directors Club of NJ Waldwick Community Alliance, Waldwick Historical Society Friends of the Cabildo

Exhibits:

The Cabildo, We Love You New Orleans Louisiana State Museum: Baroness de Pontalba and the Rise of Jackson Square: 12/1/2018 - 04/15/2024

The Waldwick Public Library (Children’s Book, Mardi Gras art) 2020

The Ridgewood Library (Children’s Book, Mardi Gras art) 2018

Topo Gallery 1991

Tom James Gallery 1988, 1989 & 1990

Society of Illustrators solo member’s exhibition 1986

The Salmagundi Club (COGAP) 1977

Collections:

The Historic New Orleans Collection - Permanent Exhibit

The Louisiana State Museum - Permanent Exhibit