Re: 'Official Michael Jackson Opus'(BooK) - Oct. 27th Last day for discounted Price!
Vestal native's artwork to be the cover of Michael Jackson tribute book
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20091129/NEWS01/911290348
The figurative-style silhouette dancing across a red background is immediately recognizable as Michael Jackson.
The artwork on the cover of a soon-to-be released international tribute to the King of Pop was drawn by Nate Giorgio, a 1979 graduate of Vestal High School who often found himself in Jackson's inner circle during a 25-year collaboration that documented the pop icon's career in art.
"It's a drawing I did for the book," said Giorgio, 48, whose parents still live in Vestal. "It's a simple drawing, but it captures the essence of him."
The leather-bound book, "The Official Michael Jackson OPUS," will be released Dec. 7 with a hefty $249 price tag.
About a dozen of Giorgio's drawings and paintings of Jackson are included in the book, as well as various illustrations.
In time, Giorgio expects the 404-page book -- which measures 13 by 18 inches and weighs 38 pounds -- to become the definitive tribute to the legendary singer. The book is the only tribute officially endorsed by Jackson's estate after the singer's death.
Besides a dozen full-page drawings of Jackson, Giorgio also contributed some personal letters to the book. In particular, Giorgio recalled a handwritten thank-you note after he had called the singer to express concern when Jackson was sick.
"He just said he appreciated my call; he was that kind of guy," said Giorgio, who last saw Jackson about a month before the singer died June 25 at the age of 50. "I wish the public could have seen that side of him."
The book has contributions from others who knew Jackson, including Motown founder Berry Gordy, Paula Abdul, Smokey Robinson and Quincy Jones.
"We're really proud that his drawing is on the cover," said Neil Giorgio, Nate's father and a retired Security Mutual Insurance employee who lives in Vestal. "This is a big deal."
The younger Giorgio's association with Jackson began in the 1980s when the singer took a liking to the local artist's work. The then-fledgling artist had mailed some portraits to the singer while still living in Vestal. Jackson invited Giorgio to his home in California to talk and do artwork.
Nate Giorgio, right, a Vestal native, was a friend and professional artist for legendary singer Michael Jackson. Giorgio did the artwork for the cover on the only tribute to the King of Pop authorized by Jackson's estate.
Gradually, Giorgio earned Jackson's confidence as an artist and friend. Through the years, Jackson commissioned Giorgio to do artwork, including paintings, posters and illustrations for the book "Dancing the Dream." Some of Giorgio's artwork was displayed at the Neverland ranch.
In the past several weeks, Giorgio has been interviewed by national media outlets about Jackson and the tribute book. In the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Giorgio recalled Jackson asking him to do a "Superhero" painting based on a Superman drawing. The handwritten note and the drawing are included in the OPUS book.
When the singer died, he and Giorgio were working on murals Jackson wanted of himself and his children walking through a forest.
About his days in Vestal, Giorgio said "small town" life instilled a motivation to set high goals, but also required working harder to get noticed than someone who was raised in Los Angeles.
In 1996, Vestal added Giorgio to the school's Hall of Fame.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
