Al Feldstein
Al Feldstein is a Montana Artist, residing on a 270 acre ranch south of Livingston and north of Yellowstone National Park, where he practices his Fine Art. His brilliant and detailed acrylic canvasses, which include Western Art, Landscape Art, Wildlife Art, Sci-Fi Art and Fantasy Art, give no clue to his nefarious past.
Born in New York City, Al Feldstein studied painting at the High School of Music and Art, and the Art Students League under a scholarship. After school and summers, he worked in a studio servicing the comic book industry. During World War ll, he was a Special Services artist. Upon his discharge, he returned to the comic book industry, packaging magazines for publishers.
At E.C. Comics, he created, wrote, illustrated and edited a popular line of titles which are now collectors' items. These included horror, such as Tales from the Crypt (which was adapted for TV by HBO), science-fiction and suspense, among others. In 1955, he became editor of MAD Magazine, one of E.C.'s titles. He took the magazine's circulation from 375,000 to a high of almost 3 million by gathering a staff of talented artist and writers; supervising every phase of its operation, editing and re-writing every word; designing layouts and creating the format that led to MAD's success, including adopting and christening its trademark, the freckle-faced, grinning Alfred E. Neuman.
In 1984, Al retired from MAD, and returned to his first love, painting. He later moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and spent three years painting the Tetons and their wildlife, placing two paintings in the Top 100 Arts for the Parks.
In 1992, he moved to Paradise Valley near Livingston, and now enjoys painting Montana's ranch life, its wildlife and its spectacular scenery.
In 1999, Al was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts degree by Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, and again won a place in the Top 100 Arts for the Parks competition.
In 2000, he was invited to give the Commencement Address to the first graduation class of the new century at Rocky Mountain College.
In 2003, at the San Diego ComiCon, Al was inducted into 'The Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.
Al is represented by numerous galleries in the Northwest. He has participated in juried shows where he has received many awards.