PASCHKE, ED

Ed Paschke (June 22 1939-November 25, 2004) was an American painter. He was born in Chicago and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His childhood interest in animation and cartoons led him toward a career in art. He was heavily influenced by many artists featured in the Museum's special exhibitions. Particularly, Gauguin, Picasso and Seurat. Although Paschke was inclined toward representational imagery, he learned to paint based on the principles of abstraction and expressionism. Paschke received his bachelor of fine arts degree in 1961, and later his master of fine arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1970. Between his graduate and undergraduate work Paschke traveled and worked a variety of jobs amassing the experiences that would shape his artistic style. During a brief period in New York, he was exposed to Pop Art philosophy and began to incorporate elements of this style borrowing images directly from the print media and other elements of popular culture. Paschke is also well known as one of many major artistic contributors to Playboy. Most notably the Plaboy Magazine's 40th Anniverary Bunny Logo Cover.