Charles Wissig - A life in Art
My interest in models grew as a kid when my dad presented me with books on the different aces and the planes they flew. I worshipped the men who flew into battle during WW II and was fascinated by the machines they fought and died in. Instead of sports or other traditional intrests,I was building models and drawing airplanes. When I hit my Teens, cars and girls took over as my passion but I always maintained a love and interest for Aviation, Especially WW II.
Married with a couple of kids, my wife bought me a couple of models one Christmas and it was like a reawakening. I had forgotten how much I loved to build models. I also found that the big old Revell kits weren't as hard as I remembered and I took great pleasure in being able to conquer that 1/32 ME 109G that tortured me as a kid. As a commercial artist, I now had the talent, tools and reference to build decent models. I shared this passion with my sons who continue to build today.
I also learned to paint and found that I had an opportunity to meet the actual aces who flew the missions I had read about. I would do a little research on a mission and plane I wanted to paint. I would find out who the pilot was and if he was still alive find out where he lived. I got to meet many of my childhood heroes as I interviewed them about the paintings I was doing. A neat side bar, I was scheduled to meet Frances Gabreski who lives on Long Island as does my Dad. I was able to bring my dad along to meet Mr. Gabreski. An opportunity to repay him for all he had given me as a kid.
I have done paintings for Disney, NASA, Universal Studios and other groups and companies. I consider myself lucky to have been able to make a living doing something I enjoy so much. Times are changing and I find myself more and more in demand as a computer artist. I have embraced the computers and the new technology. I really enjoy Flash animation's and have created a number of original animations. (Click here to check them out}
As I get older I realize I do not have enough time to do everything I would like to. (Unless I hit the lottery). I started sculpting, painting, computer animation and more. I had to make a decision and as the kids move out and I look to smaller and smaller homes, there just isn't any time or room for the models. I would rather continue painting the planes than build the models of them. I will use the money from the models to do more paintings and produce more prints. Unfortunately many of the aces I have met and those I still wanted to paint are gone so I will not be able to get the signatures for my future paintings.