George Torjussen

Born in Bayridge, Brooklyn New York City 10/12/32
75 YEARS AGO

Telephone: (954) 263-5839

Born to Norwegian Immigrants in Brooklyn, NYC in 1932, George Torjussen spent much of his youth along with other Bayridge neighborhood kids, immersed in the fantasy and romantic escapism that the movie palaces offered young and old, rich and poor. When he was nine, his family moved to rural Staten Island and he later served in the Air Force from 4/12/51 to 4/11/55 during the Korean War. Not much for military play acting, he escaped most of that as an Air Police crew-chief flying to every continent but Australia and landing on Atlantic and many Pacific Islands delivering atom bombs (or make believe bombs to fool the Ruskies).

All these tongue-in-cheek escapements from the harsh reality of war and life in general, a fervent sense of humor, translates to a faint smile when viewing most of his paintings. "I paint life and people as I wish they were or as Hollywood wanted us to believe they were. So Joan Crawford's pathetic lip-stick schmears are translated as voluptuous, full lips. Alan Ladd finally walks tall. Rusting old relics are restored on my canvases to gleaming chrome, nickel and full white walls again.
Likewise, couples are seen as they chose to be in fantasy.
As an idealist, I paint women as I want them to look. Flaws are minimized while strengths of beauty are hightened."

A Graduate of St. Olaf Collage in Northfield Minnesota as an art major specializing in stone sculpture, architecture and painting.
MFA from Montclair Univ. Sculpture and Painting.
His work has been sold in 73 galleries in the U.S. While winning many ribbons and awards, George considers his sales to be the epitomy of approval and his delivery of custom, commissioned pieces to a pleased clientle, his highest gratification.

I wish to honor my Port Richmond High school Art Teacher of four years, Mr. Melvin Covan, for inspiring me and starting me off on ...