JOSEPH A. MUGNAINI and RAY BRADBURY

 (1912-1992)        (1920-2012)  

Ray Bradbury regularly walked east on 7th or 8th streets to the Los Angeles Public Library, to plug his dime or quarter into their ‘for rent’ typewriters that he used for composing his books.  Along the way, he would pass a frame shop where a colorful painting was hung on an ‘inside’ wall. Noting that painting numerous times, he realized that the artist had captured an idea over which Ray had been mulling. Finally, he walked into the frame shop, bought the painting and inquired about the artist: Joseph Mugnaini…who lived locally in southern California!

Ray Bradbury contacted Joe Mugnaini…and a beautiful, collaborative friendship ensued!

Bradbury and Mugnaini inspired each other…as can be seen in Mugnaini’s “Carnival” (“Dark Carnival”, “Something Wicked this Way Comes”), “Hallowe’en Kite”(“The Hallowe’en Tree”), “The Hound”(Fahrenheit 451″), “October Country” and others. When Mugnaini read Bradbury’s words, he would start translating the words into images! Thus was created the portfolio of ten images, written by Bradbury; drawn by Mugnaini “The Ten Views of the Moon”

Peter Krasnow emigrated from Russia in early 20th century to Boston and then New York city, where he met Edward Weston at the Art Students’ League. Peter and Weston developed a close relationship.

Weston encouraged Peter and his wife Rose to move to Los Angeles in the 1920s, where the Krasnows bought and built a redwood house next to Weston’s, learned lithography and drew a series of lithographs – including a portrait of Edward Weston.

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