{"id":60461,"date":"2018-05-25T19:57:39","date_gmt":"2018-05-26T00:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=60461"},"modified":"2018-05-25T19:57:39","modified_gmt":"2018-05-26T00:57:39","slug":"collectibles-column-interview-with-trading-card-artist-cuyler-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/05\/25\/collectibles-column-interview-with-trading-card-artist-cuyler-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: Interview with Trading Card Artist Cuyler Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1323500851\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><div class=\"m_5150591226370568862gmail_signature\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>Since wrestling trading cards were introduced in the late 1800s, everyone from Frank Gotch to Simon Gotch has appeared in trading card sets. Thanks to one artist with a style all his own, collectors have the opportunity to own cards of some very different wrestling stars.<\/p>\n<p>California artist Cuyler Smith recently unveiled his latest work, \u201cTrading Cards Series 3,\u201d a 40-piece exhibit that presents trading cards of fictional characters from a variety of sports movies. The artwork is currently on exhibit at Gallery 1988, located at <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=7308+Melrose+Ave&amp;entry=gmail&amp;source=g\">7308 Melrose Ave<\/a>. in Los Angeles through <span data-term=\"goog_568251799\">June 9<\/span>. Each piece of artwork is also available as a traditional sized trading card.<\/p>\n<p>Wrestling fans may especially be interested in cards of Randy \u201cthe Ram\u201d Robinson from \u201cThe Wrestler,\u201d Zoya the Destroya from Netflix\u2019s \u201cGLOW\u201d series and Jack Black\u2019s masked \u201cNacho Libre\u201d character. There\u2019s also a card of Mr. T as Clubber Lang from Rocky 3, which played a big role in the success of Hulk Hogan and the WWF in the mid-80s. Each card is limited to 90 copies and costs $15, available at <a href=\"https:\/\/nineteeneightyeight.com\/collections\/tradingcards3\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=https:\/\/nineteeneightyeight.com\/collections\/tradingcards3&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527355846652000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE9wgrtZ75y-dzl65388h_LF6hShQ\">https:\/\/nineteeneightyeight.com\/collections\/tradingcards3<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-60464 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image1.jpeg 313w, https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image1-214x300.jpeg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>A League of His Own<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Smith\u2019s idea for trading card-based artwork blossomed a few years ago, when Gallery 1988 was hosting a show dedicated to the films of Tom Hanks. For the exhibit, Smith chose to do a piece on Jimmy Dugan, Hanks\u2019 character from the 1992 film \u201cA League of Their Own.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI completed a portrait of him for the show and I already printed a small run of prints,\u201d Smith said in an interview with PWTorch.com. \u201cAt the last minute, I decided to do something different and print a small batch of trading card-sized prints as well. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the series took off from there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Smith\u2019s subjects have included sports characters from movies and TV shows, such as the kids from \u201cThe Sandlot,\u201d Daniel LaRusso from \u201cThe Karate Kid,\u201d George Costanza from \u201cSeinfeld,\u201d Mitch Kramer from \u201cDazed and Confused\u201d and Will Smith from \u201cThe Fresh Prince of Bel Air,\u201d among others.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom my own collection, there are a few sets that mean a lot to me,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI was a huge fan of \u2018The Sandlot\u2019 and \u2018<span data-term=\"goog_568251800\">Friday<\/span> Night Lights.\u2019 Seeing those cards and sets evolve over the years along with the response from the fans and some of the characters and actors themselves has been amazing.\u201d<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1283585984\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-60465 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image2.jpeg 313w, https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image2-214x300.jpeg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>Smith\u2019s artwork also pays homage to some historical and well known trading card sets. As a kid in the early 90s, he collected baseball cards with his father and regularly went to card shows and conventions, accumulating what he called a \u201csubstantial collection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe 1987 Topps (baseball) design will always hold a special place in my heart,\u201d Smith noted. \u201cThat was the first baseball card I remember seeing as a kid. When I started collecting, I was a huge fan of Upper Deck and had a few complete sets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Smith\u2019s cards have become collectible in their own right. Many of the cards from the first two series regularly sell on eBay in the $40-$55 range, a significant increase from the original $15 price tag. Limited edition framed pieces and artist proofs can sell for quite a bit more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Series 3: Dudes, Ducks and a Destroya<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrading Cards Series 3\u201d includes an eclectic group of 40 characters, including Jeff Spicoli from \u201cFast Times at Ridgemont High,\u201d Jesse Hall from \u201cThe Mighty Ducks,\u201d Kelly Kapowski from \u201cSaved by the Bell,\u201d Happy Gilmore, the Baseball Furies\u2019 Thurman from \u201cThe Warriors,\u201d Peter La Fleur and White Goodman from \u201cDodgeball\u201d and Jeff \u201cthe Dude\u201d Labowski.<\/p>\n<p>Series 3 also marks the debut of wrestling characters in Smith\u2019s \u201cTrading Cards\u201d series.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have an ongoing list that I have compiled of cards that I would like to do,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI wanted to do the Randy \u2018the Ram\u2019 for a while now, but it did not fit with the previous two shows. As for Nacho, I find that fans gravitate towards the comedic pieces or the ones that people aren\u2019t expecting to see. I had \u2018Nacho Libre\u2019 on in the background when I started working on this current show and decided I had to include him.\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image3.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-60466 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image3.jpeg 313w, https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/image3-214x300.jpeg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Longtime collectors will notice familiar looks to Smith\u2019s wrestling pieces. The card of Randy \u201cthe Ram,\u201d for example, is clearly influenced by Topps\u2019 1985 WWF Pro Wrestling Stars, the first ever WWF-exclusive trading card product. The Nacho Libre card resembles the yellow bordered 1986 Monty Gum Wrestling All Stars set.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3434249029\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cI always want the cards to seem genuine to the time period, but also to the character,\u201d Smith explained. \u201cI always add my own personal touch and variation to the design, but it is fun to see collectors become nostalgic over some of the designs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrading Cards Series 3\u201d includes some other cards from movies with ties to wrestling. There\u2019s a card of Lincoln Hawk from \u201cOver the Top,\u201d the 1987 arm wrestling flick that featured Terry Funk and other wrestlers in cameo roles. And as previously mentioned, there\u2019s Clubber Lang from \u201cRocky 3,\u201d following cards of Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in the previous serious. That just leaves Hulk Hogan\u2019s Thunderlips, which Smith said is on his to-do list.<\/p>\n<p>Smith is always opens to suggestions for future cards. Collectors can contact him at <a href=\"mailto:cuyler@cuylersmith.com\">cuyler@cuylersmith.com<\/a>, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @cuylersmith. His other work can be seen at <a href=\"http:\/\/cuylersmith.com\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=http:\/\/cuylersmith.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527355846652000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGE-KFCpPdYDvGnwhkK9B_8V65AAg\">cuylersmith.com<\/a>, which includes pieces inspired by Masters of the Universe, comic book characters, Harry Potter and more. Smith is also available for commissions, but doesn\u2019t currently do custom trading card commissions.<\/p>\n<p><em>All images are courtesy of Gallery 1988 (<a href=\"http:\/\/nineteeneightyeight.com\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=http:\/\/nineteeneightyeight.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527355846652000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGkBz006XgR1k_Qbgw4RNn0FEenNg\">nineteeneightyeight.com<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>NOW CHECK OUT THE PRIOR COLUMN:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/05\/12\/collectibles-column-where-to-find-trading-cards-of-nxts-top-stars-and-new-recruits\/\">COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: Where to Find Trading Cards of NXT\u2019s Top Stars and New Recruits<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><i>PWTorch Collectibles Specialist Michael Moore can be reached at\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"mailto:michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com\"><i>michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com<\/i><\/a><i>. Follow him on Twitter @MMooreWriter.<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2209325686\"><div id=\"pwtor-1770681175\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Since wrestling trading cards were introduced in the late 1800s, everyone from Frank Gotch to Simon Gotch has appeared in trading card sets. Thanks to one artist with a style all his own, collectors have <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/05\/25\/collectibles-column-interview-with-trading-card-artist-cuyler-smith\/\" title=\"COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: Interview with Trading Card Artist Cuyler Smith\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,52,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-specialists_collectibles","category-opnionandanalysis","category-specialists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/CollectiblesZoya.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60461"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60467,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60461\/revisions\/60467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}