The Interview: TROSLEY

Drive catches up with the prolific artist, Trosley. We ask a few questions, learn a few things, and find out what it’s like behind the pen.

- Michael Eckerson

It’s an honor to interview the artist that has one of the most recognizable illustration styles. George Trosley has been a personal influence and inspiration since I was a kid. George has undoubtedly done the same for countless others.

By his mother’s account, George started drawing at the age of five. Mostly on the walls at this time. Later, his fourthgrade teacher, who was an amateur artist, took notice and recommended private art lessons from a local painter. George and his brother, Harold, would spend time drawing their “dream machines”. They also built model cars. George would come up with wild customizing ideas and used plastic wood to mold parts from one kit to another. Harold had the model body-working talent to turn them into prizewinning creations. They would be inspired by car magazines, devouring them for new ideas. The two began winning almost every hobby-shop model contest around. They were eventually banned from a few.

Soon they were old enough for real cars to fool around with. George’s first car was a ‘47 Plymouth sedan. Followed by a ‘55 Ford Tudor with a 312ci T-Bird engine and trans, and a severe rake. George even painted “Village Vandal” on the trunk lid, much to his mother’s displeasure.

George was accepted to the Hussian School of Commercial Art in Philadelphia. He commuted in his ‘39 Ford Deluxe Tudor sedan, spending the next four years learning about commercial art by day, and working on his prewar Ford by night. After art school, George set out on his own to give full-time freelance cartooning a try.