Most of you might not know the name, but if you are a moviefan you will have seen his work numerous times. Michael Deas is the artist who has painted the Columbia Pictures logo, which has been in use by the company since 1992. I got a chance to interview him about the creation of this iconic image.
How did Columbia Pictures get into contact with you? Was this based on other work you did?
Actually, I was not contacted by Columbia Pictures directly. At that time Columbia was undergoing considerable reorganization, so the redesign was handled outside the studio, by The Mednick Group, a Los Angeles-based design firm.
What was their assignment and how much liberty did you have in creating the new logo?
As I recall, the art director wanted to pattern the current logo after an earlier color version (perhaps late1930s?) version, which depicted the Lady Columbia draped in an American flag. I was asked to follow the original image’s color scheme closely, with emphasis on the colors orange and blue. Later, the concept of draping The Lady in an American flag was dropped, either for legal or trademark issues, I don’t recall exactly, and so now she’s draped in royal blue over a white gown.
The creation of the logo took two months, what does the process of creating such a painting look like?
It’s a slow process, one that would probably bore most of your readers. I start with a wooden panel, which is carefully primed and sanded. Then I begin drawing out the image very carefully, in pencil, using a full range of grays — it’s essentially a 19th-century technique called grisaillle. Over that I gradually begin applying thin layers of color. It takes forever.
Did you run into any problems while making it?
I spent several weeks searching for the right formation of clouds so that I might take multiple reference photographs and then start the final painting. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a drought going on at the time, so it took some while to find a nicely dramatic bank of cumulus clouds. I embellished them considerably, with details taken from here and there, but I did eventually find a cloud formation not unlike the one seen onscreen.
Of course, the most crucial issue was finding exactly the right model. I interviewed several, but meeting Jenny Joseph was providential; she’s a generous, gracious and timelessly beautiful lady. She had never modeled before, and never has since. She was marvelous to work with.
It must be a great feeling to see that the logo still is used by Columbia Pictures. Are you someone who regularly goes to the movies?
Yes, and I confess I do still get quite thrill seeing the image. What artist wouldn’t?
You can find more about Michael Deas on his website.
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This is such a great idea! I love your series about the logos and your odd interviews that come up here and there, and here you combine it. Excellent!
Thanks Jessica, I was very happy to get into contact with him and it was nice to be able to ask him about the creation of such an iconic image.
Love this Nostra. Well done for getting a great interview together for us.
Happy to hear Scott! Thanks.
I loved this.
It’s funny, I always thought the artist took inspiration from Annette Bening for the Columbia Lady.
Great to hear Victor. So this puts an end to that rumour 😉
I always thought the model was Barbara Babcock,
As a graphic Designer, I really appreciated this interview. Well done again!
Thank you. I think I should learn more about graphic design myself as well. Maybe that’s a goal I should also add to my list of resolutions for 2013 🙂
WOW, great interview Nostra! The logo for Columbia Pictures is one of the most iconic. Well done and thanks Mr. Deas.
Thanks Ruth, happy to read you enjoyed it.
What a great person to interview! Really enjoyed reading that, good work!
I was very happy to get the chance to do so. Thanks Chris!
Gotta admit, that really IS a cool interview Nostra. Nice work!! 😀
Thanks Fogs, it was really awesome being able to do it and get to know a bit more movie history!
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Hello, what a great article. I have the Columbia logo as my wallpaper on my screen.
I absolutely love all the different eras of the logo and the Art Deco them through them. Where did you get that penciled image? I am looking for a high resolution version of the logo to enlarge and put on the wall in my theatre. Can you help?
Thank
you
That penciled image was on the website of Michael Deas. I assume Google Image Search with a filter for large images doesn’t turn up anything? I don’t know if there are posters with it available and else you might look into the possibility of getting it of a Blu Ray.
Great article. I am a great art fan, and appreciate this history!
Thank you Richard!
No problem. I hope Vince finds a Lady Columbia image for his theater wall. I think it could make a popular poster and life-size cardboard stand-up as well. How about it Sony? If not, maybe Michael Deas could paint Princess Leia from Star Wars 0O0 (with white robe and earmuff hairstyle) or Glinda from Oz the Great and Powerful in a similar pose and sell that.
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i would just like to say thank you, your painting reminds me of my mother, the resemblance is remarkable
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