Our interview with Frankie Vinci – Artist, Songwriter, Producer/ Film Composer
Why do you think people gravitate to your art?
Due to the pandemic people are staying in their homes and want a lively decor to look at. My art subjects are iconic and colorful – people say my art represents my personality. My early inspiration was my father, he created hand-painted billboard art all over the tri-state area. He also created advertising for newspapers by using the old fashioned “cut and paste” method using scissors and rubber cement. When I began creating collages early on I realized my dad’s method subconsciously influenced me.
A Portfolio Carousel of Frankie’s Art
Where are you from?
I was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Long Island in the 60’s, moved into New York City in the 70’s and I eventually landed in Connecticut, where I’m presently living.
What is your process and the mediums you use in your artwork?
My art is mixed media/graffiti/street art. I use spray paint, markers, torn paper, anything that fits the piece. I digitally color the subject image in Photoshop and sometimes add paint. I then glue the finished colorized portrait onto a wood panel or canvas.
When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I have been seriously working on my art since 2018. Although I was all set to go to SVA (School of Visual Arts, NYC) when I graduated high school, but my music career began to takeoff and I signed a contract with Atlantic Records with my band Fotomaker. During my Rock ‘n Roll music career my band toured with Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, Meat Loaf, Foreigner, among others. My art is a reflection of my years as a performing “Rocker” and songwriter/producer.In the 80’s, I frequented many NYC parties thrown by Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, Basquait, Keith Haring, Steve Rubell (owner of Studio 54).Many of the pieces have backstories of the iconic stars I’ve met worked while touring or in the recording studio or at NYC parties.
Who are your influences?
Of courseAndy Warhol, Jean Paul Basquiat, Dali, Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring and more recently, Mr. Brainwash, Dain, Robert Mars. There’s many Pop artist that influence me but I’m drawn to the edgy Pop Art styles more than the traditional artists.
Where did the tag name “Zig ScVngr” originate from”
A friend of mine called me a “Scanvenger Artist” and Zig just sounded good with Scavenger, so I invented a different way to spell it so Zig ScVngr looked cool to me. Just as graffiti artist have tag names, I decided to adopt one for myself when working on my art. All my pieces have Zig or Zig ScVngr somewhere in the piece.
What do you enjoy doing besides art?
As I mentioned I’m a professional multi-platinum songwriter/music producer. I enjoy sitting at the piano or picking up the guitar and writing songs that come from my heart. I also enjoy entertaining friends, watching a great movie, shopping for home decor and grooming my gardens.
To learn more about Frankie Vinci’s art and music career, please visit his sites.
Art – www.VinciPopArt.com
Music – www.frankievinci.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/fvinci3
Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/vinci_pop_art