Artist John Rivoli joins the show to discuss his extensive career, starting with the creation of SpongeBob SquarePants in the late 90s. Working closely with the show’s creator, Rivoli helped develop the character’s iconic look through numerous sketches. This iterative process was also applied to the Harry Potter series, where Rivoli and his partner collaborated directly with J.K. Rowling to design the characters, adjusting their artwork based on the actors cast in the roles.
Rivoli’s passion for the Rocky franchise led him to persistently seek opportunities to work on related projects. His dedication paid off when MGM invited him to create artwork for Rocky’s 35th anniversary, resulting in a personal meeting with Sylvester Stallone. The two bonded over their shared artistic interests, leading to a collaboration to retell Rocky’s story through fine art. Rivoli describes creating new perspectives on iconic scenes, such as depicting Apollo Creed’s reaction during a pivotal fight, to offer fresh insights into the film.
Beyond Rocky, Rivoli has worked on other Stallone projects, including Rambo and Cobra. He also creates artwork for action figure packaging and has been commissioned to produce paintings for the TV series Tulsa King. Rivoli highlights Stallone’s unique and expressive features, which make him a compelling subject for art. This collaboration has led to various projects, including a coffee table book and a potential exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum to celebrate Rocky’s 50th anniversary.
Rivoli finds Stallone to be a fascinating subject due to his distinctive look and expressive face, which allows for rich artistic exploration. His work with Stallone continues to evolve, showcasing Rivoli’s ability to blend his artistic vision with the dynamic world of film and entertainment.
To view and purchase John’s work, visit: https://iconsinart.com/