Author Topic: Rich Gaspari - 1st Arnold Winner - Official Portrait  (Read 11565 times)

Bob Bonham

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Rich Gaspari - 1st Arnold Winner - Official Portrait
« on: November 14, 2012, 03:24:32 PM »
WE HAVE BODYBUILDING / ART EVENT NEXT SATURDAY ..WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME?

The ‘Dragon Slayer’s Brush with Immortality

World Champion Body Building Icon and athletic nutritional supplement pioneer, Rich Gaspari (aka: The Dragon Slayer) will be honored on November 17, 2012 with the unveiling of his official portrait. This life-sized oil painting will adorn the new corporate headquarters of New Jersey based ‘Gaspari Nutrition’ (www.gasparinutrition.com) when construction of the new facility is complete.

Bob Bonham, owner and proprietor of ‘Strong and Shapely Gym’ (www.strong-and-shapely.com) in East Rutherford New Jersey, has privately commissioned this portrait to honor Mr. Gaspari’s commitment and contributions to the sport; particularly in his home state of New Jersey. When asked about this, Mr. Bonham offered, “Gaspari put New Jersey on the body building map twenty five years ago. He single handedly changed the look of the sport while creating an east coast Mecca for body builders. As Arnold Schwarzenegger had set the standard of the quintessential body in the 70’s, the arrival of Gaspari in the late 80’s changed that standard. Through an unparalleled understanding of nutrition and diet along with an amazing work ethic, Gaspari was the precursor to what we see on the world stage in body building today. For these contributions I thought it was time that he was recognized with a different type of trophy, one that would be more personal and that came from a fan as opposed to a panel of judges. This portrait will exist as a testament to Rich Gaspari’s achievements and will stand as an heirloom within his family for generations to come.”

World-renowned, international award winning artist Kevin Murphy, earned the commission for this monumental project. Bob explained “I became aware of Kevin’s work through artist, and common acquaintance, Richard Mog, who unknown to me at the time, worked as Kevin’s right hand man in the studio.

It’s amazing how things sometimes just work out. Until I began searching for an artist to paint the portrait, I was unaware that classical art of this extreme quality was still being created today, and in New Jersey, no less. His [Murphy] work has a feel of the old masters that is rarely available in this market, and it was just what I envisioned for the Rich Gaspari painting. There was no doubt once I saw Kevin’s work who I would commission for this important painting.” Bonham continued “It seemed only right to bring these two giants together for this project.”

The collaboration began in early September, Mr. Gaspari and artist Kevin Murphy met at The Art Academy of Hillsborough, (coined, Boro Art, www.boroart.us) in Hillsborough, NJ. The initial portrait sitting and a photo session to collect reference material, for what would eventually become the 48”x 66” oil painting, was completed at that time. “This was a wonderful opportunity for me” Kevin Murphy said, “I was a dedicated weightlifter in my late teens and twenties as well as a huge fan of Rich Gaspari through all of those years. I consider it a great honor, to be selected from all of the exceptional artists available."

In addition to the day to day running of his art school and other commissioned portrait work, Kevin Murphy had just a few weeks earlier welcomed ‘Killer Goose Films,’ (www.killergoosefilms.com) into the Academy to begin filming a documentary built around his students’ experiences at the school. However, with a major commission on the “Master’s easel,” the filming turned briefly to this project. Dale DeVino, director at Killer Goose stated “We’ve been at the Art Academy filming the jaw dropping work of the teenage students; but when we had the opportunity to document this high profile painting project from its inception, we jumped at the chance. I’m glad we did, because it has been a real experience to watch both Kevin (Murphy) and Rich (Mog) work together to bring this painting to life. I didn’t think I would be so affected by it, but it has been a vision to behold. We captured the entire painting process and will debut it at the unveiling. This experience has encouraged us to incorporate the Masters work into this documentary, a film which was originally meant to focus on his students.”

As the date of the unveiling approaches, the portrait stands nearly complete. “The painting has progressed beautifully from the initial sitting through to where we are just two weeks from delivery. Though Rich [Gaspari] sat in a bare studio for the portrait, the finished painting will depict a great many relevant adornments that were not present during the portrait sitting. It was no small task to track down reference and incorporate this imagery into the painting. Kevin further asserted, “ I am very happy with where it is currently, the image has a majesty to it that all portraits should exhibit. Portrait paintings are a form of immortality as they survive the sitter by many hundreds of years, and in that, should bare the strength of the sitter’s presence. There is still some work to be done, but we are on schedule and looking forward to the unveiling.”

The portrait unveiling will be held at:

Strong & Shapely Gym
150 Union Avenue, East Rutherford, NJ
Saturday, November 17th 2012
Opened to invited VIP guests at 1:00pm,
and to the public at 3:00 that same day.

The Abdominal Snoman

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2012, 03:27:13 PM »
Someone should send Rich up the river under the bridge to Apocalypse Now

Hulkotron

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2012, 04:02:18 PM »
I feel sorry for Rich.

slate

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2012, 04:09:09 PM »
I feel sorry for Rich.

you must be stupid
never feel sorry for the Rich as the Rich don't feel sorry for you

usmcdevildoc

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2012, 04:16:34 PM »
What is this about G4P??
NO HOMO

DOC

dr.chimps

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2012, 05:31:03 PM »
Why do I get the feeling it's painted on velvet?   

Obvious Gimmick

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2012, 06:06:19 PM »
The dragon slayer! The reason I started lifting. Mad respect.

Ok Tom platz too  :)

WOOO

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2012, 06:20:59 PM »
poor gaspari of peace

evandatp

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Re: CELEBRATE RICH GASPARI THIS SATURDAY
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2012, 12:24:33 AM »
Why do I get the feeling it's painted on velvet?  
Because it's easier to reproduce that screen printed T-shirt look and feel.

Only $39.95 each while stocks last.

Mitch

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2012, 12:43:17 AM »
Is he dead or something? Advert sounds like a funeral. :-\

Army of One

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2012, 01:06:19 AM »
Bob Bonham seems like a schmoe

njflex

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2012, 08:54:23 AM »
Bob Bonham seems like a schmoe
actually a decent guy who ran great show's in jersey in 90's and his gym was a staple of pro's ,future pro's to train at and had 2 to 3 or more of every kind equipment available.he even kept his members in check by scolding them via speaker and camera system when u left weights or dumbells around  ;D...

insider

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2012, 09:26:04 AM »
Bob Bonham seems like a schmoe

Definitely not
I know, you don't

michael arvilla

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2012, 09:36:13 AM »
Definitely not
     This  ......  (used to read about bob bonham and strong and shapely gym and the monsters that trained there /while just a very young man stuck in Gloucester Massachusetts)

The Abdominal Snoman

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2012, 09:41:47 AM »
actually a decent guy who ran great show's in jersey in 90's and his gym was a staple of pro's ,future pro's to train at and had 2 to 3 or more of every kind equipment available.he even kept his members in check by scolding them via speaker and camera system when u left weights or dumbells around  ;D...

We all hate when people don't re rack their dumbbells and what not. But what a douchey god complex for using a speaker like that. Also seems pretty creepy to watch people.

rocco-x

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Re: Rich Gaspari to be honored on Nov 17 with his official portrait
« Reply #15 on: November 17, 2012, 10:20:31 AM »
Bob Bonham seems like a schmoe
not really.he has his way about him.i've known Bob over 20yrs,maybe longer.his ex-wife Debbie is one of my closest friends sister.still pass Strong n Shapely everyday.been thinking of stopping in,saying hello and joining.he came a long way from just a small gym in the early 80's in Montclair to a few places that got bigger each time.actually saw him kick a guy out for good that was prepping for a show.Bob had an old warehouse not too far from his newer place.dude was doing e-z bar curls with 45's on each side then tossing the bar on last rep.got warned 2x.last time he did it Bob ran upstairs and told him GTFO AND DON'T COME BACK!

he's got his attitude but he does keep his gym and members in check.that's why he's where he is today.been so long since i've seen him and talked.saw him walking thru his parking lot a few wks ago.should've said hi,lol.maybe i'll stop in anyway.

Bob Bonham

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RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2013, 03:24:36 PM »




Jon Harridan

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2013, 03:35:02 PM »
Robby should have won it.

Mr Anabolic

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2013, 04:04:18 PM »
Robby should have won it.

Robby or Bob Paris.  They have a way better shape than Rich.

Rich was narrow and not his best.  I was there in '89.

Jon Harridan

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2013, 04:15:54 PM »
Robby or Bob Paris.  They have a way better shape than Rich.

Rich was narrow and not his best.  I was there in '89.

I heard the fans were yelling, "It's yours, Robby!".

njflex

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #20 on: January 25, 2013, 04:39:34 PM »
neat,,,guy was great at the time 85/88..89/91 slipped a bit was still good tho,,jersey guy,promoter,entrepeneur...

hazbin

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2013, 05:02:52 PM »
Robby should have won it.

damn, i opened this thread to post the exact same thing.   i remember thinking back then that we wouldn't win the olympia, but he won the first ever Night of Champions and it would have been cool if he was the inaugeral (sp) Arnold classic champ.

Jon Harridan

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2013, 05:21:40 PM »
damn, i opened this thread to post the exact same thing.   i remember thinking back then that we wouldn't win the olympia, but he won the first ever Night of Champions and it would have been cool if he was the inaugeral (sp) Arnold classic champ.

He won the 1st 2 NOCs actually. Yeah, it would have been real cool if he had won the inaugural Arnold Classic, especially given his long and storied history with Arnold.

hazbin

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #23 on: January 25, 2013, 08:54:47 PM »
He won the 1st 2 NOCs actually. Yeah, it would have been real cool if he had won the inaugural Arnold Classic, especially given his long and storied history with Arnold.

yes, knew that. and a few second places he could have won as well, like vs. Phil Hill one year.   he later managed to win the masters mr. O its first year.

he also won his first national title on my tenth birthday!!

Jon Harridan

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Re: RICH GASPARI 1ST ARNOLD WINNER IS HONORED
« Reply #24 on: January 25, 2013, 08:59:52 PM »
yes, knew that. and a few second places he could have won as well, like vs. Phil Hill one year.   he later managed to win the masters mr. O its first year.

he also won his first national title on my tenth birthday!!

I can sense you're a big RR fan like me.