Artist: Ozz Franca

Title: Religious Man

Medium: Lithograph on Paper

Art Dimensions: 24 H x 18 W inches

Framed Dimensions: 29 H x 23 W inches


ARTIST BIO:

Oswaldo Franca (pronounced FRON-suh) known as Ozz Franca in the art world was born 2 Oct 1928 in Sarapui, Brazil, but grew up in Sao Paulo. From an early age he showed talent as an artist. At the age of 14 he won first prize at the annual Spring Salon Art Competition in Sao Paulo. From there he went on to win prizes all over Brazil. He held his first one man show at the age of 18. He graduated from the Fine Arts School in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1949. He decided to devote his life to art. Franca arrived in the U.S. on 1 Sep 1952 to accept a scholarship at the University of Utah. A year later he moved to Hollywood and began doing movie illustration for Walt Disney. He was proud that he was the first Brazilian artist to work as a cartoonist with Walt Disney. Some of his projects included 'Lady and the Tramp' and '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'. Franca painted many subjects, but he is best known for his esoteric images of Native American women. He sometimes worked from black and white photographs provided by is daughter. He would then complete the painting with a color scheme of his own choosing. He also painted many movie stars. The winner of numerous awards, including honors from the city of Los Angeles for his cultural contributions. Franca resided in a California desert community that afforded him the appreciation and silence that allowed his creativity to flourish. After creating a spectacular body of art, Franca died in 1991 in Riverside, Calif.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79979819/oswaldo-franca

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