SAN DIEGO — One of San Diego's most accomplished artists of all time may just be the G.O.A.T.
In this Zevely Zone, I met a master of his craft at San Diego's Air & Space Museum.
When I first heard about this story, I thought someone was pulling my leg because to me what looked like pictures were actually paintings. From famous sports figures to the Pope, Christopher Paluso's artwork is breathtaking and incredibly realistic. What appears to be graphics are drawn with his hands and talent.
"Yeah, that's my drawing," said Christopher.
Spread out on a table before me sat Paluso's greatest portraits of Joe Montana, Michael Jordan and Nolan Ryan. Christopher says when you meet famous figures like Nolan Ryan and Muhammad Ali, there's a responsibility to get it right.
I was awestruck by one portrait of Michael Jordan with sweat glistening off of his head that looked completely realistic.
"That was a trick that my college instructor taught me, dip a toothbrush into white paint and then flick it and that is how I got that on there," said Christopher.
Since 1983, Paluso has handcrafted every portrait in the Breitbard Hall of Fame, such as Padres Legend Tony Gwynn. "He treated me like any other person," said Christopher.
It's not just sports, Paluso prides himself for his artistic range.
"I was told early on if you can do anything you'll never run out of work," said Christopher. This brings us to Sally Ride, Jerry Coleman and so many more.
"This one is one of his, this one is one of his, this one is one of his," said David Neville. He is the Communications Director at San Diego's Air & Space Museum and counts at least seventeen Hall of Fame lifelike portraits painted by Christopher Paluso. "That is exactly my point; any one of them you could go up to them and have a conversation with them. One of his favorites is Gene Cernan, the last guy to walk on the moon. I had conversations with Gene Cernan and when I see that portrait I feel like I am talking to him again so it's really cool," said David.
Paluso's process starts with a series of pictures. "I use the photograph I don't let the photograph use me," said Christopher.
Most of the pieces take 20 hours or more to complete. "It's done when it's done," said Christopher.
From Mike Piazza, Kobe Bryant, Joe Dimaggio to Babe Ruth, Christopher has painted them all. "Pinnacle. The greatest to play the game," said Christopher about Babe Ruth. I'm not an art expert, but in all my years, I think the same could be said about Christopher Paluso. "I sometimes wonder where it comes from," said Christopher. "It makes me feel tremendous pride."
He's painted the Greatest of All Time and may just be the GOAT of portraits himself. "No one will know how long it took you. No one will know how much you were getting paid, but they will know whether or not you did a good job," said Christopher. "I am in my zone. I am in the Zevely Zone!"
Christopher Paluso is 72-years young. He spends at least three days a week teaching his craft to elementary school children.