User:Perry.Miloupop/sandbox

Perry Milou (born October 4, 1967) is a Philadelphia artist, and one of the US’s most established pop artists according to critics (FOOTNOTE, about page). His body of work has often been described as “alluring”, “brilliant”, “glamorous”, and “vibrant”. Milou paints bold scenes with ripe colors and tantalizing shapes that hold universal appeal. He is known for his work of pop culture icons such as Nelson Mandala, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Barak Obama. Recurring themes in Milou’s expansive portfolio include celebrity personalities, contemporary and Renaissance Italian subjects, and Philadelphia, with numerous paintings focusing on The Eagles, Italian Market, Rocky, The Phillies team and its individual players.

Early life and career
Perry began his life as an artist at the age of 5. He says in an interview with Joe Galantz: “When I first took crayon to paper at age five I knew that is all I wanted to be and do. My grandmother has a beautifully framed drawing I did, at age five, of the Washington image from the one dollar bill.”

Later in life, he attended the University of Arizona within the years 1985-1990; he realized he did not want to study one particular visual arts medium. This is where he received his BFA as one of the first students to receive an open studio major.”

Eventually, Milou moved back to the Philadelphia area, and he is known for his work in and involving Philadelphia, he said in an interview, “I like it here [Philadelphia] a lot. It's a great place for me to be. I can walk out the door and I'm in the art district. It's important for me to be in this area to feel the vibe and share my art. The history here is unbelievable and the space is wide open. I'd like to see the streets closed off in the spring and fall for festivals. Restaurants could put out food samples, there could be music and the galleries could spill out onto the streets. With the Independence Center and Visitors Center being built, Old City's historical value is one of its greatest assets and that should be recognized even more. The city as a whole is skyrocketing. It's an exciting place to be right now.”

Recently, Milou held his 20 year retrospective at TRUST in Philadelphia. When asked what 20 years in art meant to him he said, “Well, it signifies a lot of pride. I’ve been painting for a long time, I’ve actually been painting longer than that. But it does symbolize two decades and 100 paintings I’m showing tonight and different periods and different styles, and different feels of my art (FOOTNOTE CHELDINBARTLET)”.

Influences
Milou has his own style that he says is influenced by many other artists. He has been found saying on his own website that his influences include Van Gogh, Botticelli, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Wesselman, but also mentions Alex Katz, Suerat, Matisse, Michelangelo, Renoir, and even Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli is apparent in many of his most popular works" He says, “I have such a diverse love of many types of art and I think it relates to the diverse amount of techniques that I have mastered. It does, though, hinder my development of creating one particular ‘Milou brand’, but that will only come with more painting”. He continues to say, “I try and incorporate techniques form artists that inspire me, not necessarily their subjects, more their techniques, but I have been known to paint a Marilyn and I've been inspired by Wesselman lips.” His “Lover Lip Series” is a collection of large iconic pop oils. Painted in Milou’s most recent rain style, he illustrates the “puckers” of such notables as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Alba.

Notable events

 * November 2013-Milou is commissioned by Hearts on Fire Diamonds founders Glenn and Susan Rothman to create fabulous a large scale masterwork for permanent collection at their newly launch retail store in the beautiful King Of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Known as the worlds most perfectly cut diamond, Hearts On Fire is sold in 550 retail stores in 34 countries around the world.
 * Nov 11th, 2013- Artist Perry Milou presents a portrait to Sopranos and Goodfellows legendary Actor Tony Darrow at the Grand VIP Opening of Angelo Lutz’s Kitchen Consigliere in Collingswood New Jersey. Also on hand were Food Network Star Marc Summers, Marc Gonsalves, Proprieters Nick Triolo of ARA FOODS INC, Anthony Maglio of famed Maglio Sausage of Philadelphia and Keith Jenke. The incredible evening drew rave reviews as Angelo Launched his latest endeavor (Footnote, events page). Lutz is trying to create a restaurant that resembles his past as a mobster with black and white jailhouse stripes, target-shooting cut-outs on the bathroom doors, and even mob artwork by Perry Milou.
 * October 9, 2013- Zarwin Baum’s 2nd annual Celebrity Casino Night benefitting the Easter Seals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Pop Artist Perry Milou’s creativity presence was as strong as ever, showcasing over 25 pieces of art during a silent auction. Milou’s diverse collection netted 14 sales contributing several thousand to Easter Seals and by nights end, The Philadelphia power firm had raised over 23,000.00 for charity (footnote, events page).
 * August 2013- Diamonds and Denim event for the Hammels Foundation. Milou donated a work of art for the silent auction that raised money for the foundation
 * November 2012-Milou is commissioned to make a painting for Jamie McGuire, CEO of Philadelphia insurance company. The masterwork was stategically showcased at the 50th Anniversary Gala held at The National Constitution Center on the evening of Nov 9th 2012. With the entire McGuire family present as well as 500 key partners, including Shuzo Sumi, CEO of Tokio Marine Group, the painting was a smashing success. So much so, that Mr. Mcguire purchased the copyright from the artist and is presenting over 2000 employees and partners nationwide a signed 36/24-inch lithograph of the painting (footnote, events page).
 * April 2012-Art of Adoption event, Various artists like Perry Milou and others have created new pieces, each inspired by the story of a child who once lived in foster care and has since been adopted. Having known the hardships of growing up with a single parent, Milou was later fortunate enough to be adopted, thus thoroughly appreciating the stability and love of a forever family. He is thrilled to be a part of this celebration of adoption. Milou’s amazing artistic tribute to this sibling group will be exclusively auctioned at the National Adoption Center’s 40th Anniversary Celebration of Families: the Art of Adoption (footnote, events page)
 * 2007 Milou was again commissioned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art to create a portrait of founding father Benjamin Franklin to celebrate his 300th birthday. Additionally in 2007, Cantor Publishing Group exclusively selected his Marilyn Monroe series for the book, “Marilyn In Art.”

Philanthropic work
Perry Milou considers himself a “people’s artist”, always sharing his natural talent as an obligation in giving back to society (Footnote, website). Milou continues to seek opportunities to collaborate with charities, philanthropic and civic organizations. His most current notables includes; Creation of Anti -Bullying Murals S. Weir Mitchell School, Easter Seals Foundation, Chase Utley All Stars, The Cole Hamels Foundation, Pennsylvania Animal Welfare Society, Achievability, The Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial, The American Red Cross, The National Adoption Agency, Philabundance, The National Hispanic Medical Association, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Philadelphia Mural Arts Foundation, Cardiovascular Institute of Philadelphia, Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Minding Your Mind Foundation, and BreastCancer.Org. (footnote charities site, footnote, website).

Collectors
Collectors of Milou’s work include Sylvester Stallone, Julius Erving, Roy Chapman (owner of the late Smarty Jones), Pennsylvania’s Governor Edward Rendell, and attorney James Binns.