Artist finds joy in charity

TUSCUMBIA - Nicolosi never imagined when he traveled to Birmingham in November to watch a dear friend perform that the journey ultimately would lead him to the stage of "The Miracle Worker" at Ivy Green on Friday night.

Then again, when he was busy with his dental practice in Chicago, he never imagined years ago that he one day would become known as the "Artist to the Stars," with dozens of Hollywood's biggest names lining up to have him paint their portraits.

"This has gone beyond my wildest imagination," Nicolosi said.

The artist, who goes by the single name, presented a painting of Helen Keller to her birthplace of Ivy Green moments before a performance of the famous play Friday night.

This isn't the only donation Nicolosi has provided since embarking on his artistic career.

"We have been able to help so many causes through the artwork, which is really a great joy that I get," he said.

The list of Hollywood portraits that stars have commissioned him to do is lengthy. Just a few names include Brad Pitt, Eddie Murphy, Penelope Cruz, Clint Eastwood, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie.

In fact, he flew to Hollywood in September for a "Stars for a Cause" event in which he and the stars autographed their portraits, with money from the purchases going to charity.

Nicolosi never dreamed of being in such a position years ago when he was mourning the loss of his father to pancreatic cancer.

During that time, he met a photographer at a wedding and she talked him into doing a shoot with her. It turned out, she shot covers for romance novels, and soon Nicolosi was painting the book's covers. That's when he created the brightly splashed portraits that have become his signature.

"I was in a dark period because my dad had just passed away," Nicolosi said. "I always say I was drawn to the bright colors like magentas, because that was healing."

Soon, his work was noticed by Rue McClanahan, a former star of the television sitcom "The Golden Girls." The two became friends. "She encouraged me to follow in my career with abandonment. She was my guardian angel."

So he did, getting a job helping with artwork for the production of "Hairspray." A cast member of the production was friends with Patricia Neal, and that started his connection with Keller.

Neal, a longtime actress who played Keller's mother in the Broadway version of "The Miracle Worker," commissioned Nicolosi to do a portrait of her that would be displayed during a ceremony in which she received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Neal spoke openly with Nicolosi about Keller's influence in her life. She said Keller's writings helped inspire her to recover after Neal suffered a stroke.

The television entertainment gossip program "Entertainment Tonight" then commissioned Nicolosi to do artwork for its set. Soon, stars were asking him to paint their portraits.

Nicolosi flew to Birmingham in November to watch Neal in a performance honoring Keller. That's when he met members of this area's Helen Keller Foundation Board, and he decided to paint and donate the portrait.

Neal's signature is on the back of the portrait.

"We were very excited when we found out about this," said Sue Pilkilton, executive director of Ivy Green.

She said the portrait will be placed in the museum room of the home. "That's where people can take the time to view the exhibits," she said. "It's definitely an honor and a piece that people will view for years to come."

Nicolosi spent Friday and is spending some time today autographing lithographs of the Keller painting, with money from lithograph sales going to Ivy Green.

He is working on portraits of remaining Munchkins from "The Wizard of Oz," as part of a commemoration of the film's 70th anniversary.

Meanwhile, Nicolosi still keeps his dental practice, setting aside one week a month to see patients in Chicago.

"I like to come home to the Midwest," he said. "It keeps it real for me. My brothers couldn't care less about my Hollywood portraits."

He also is working with a national television network that wants to produce an inspirational docudrama on his life.

On occasion, Nicolosi receives notes from others who tell him his success has motivated them to pursue some type of occupation in the arts.

Sometimes, Nicolosi looks back and is surprised and thankful at the way things have fallen into place.

"Believe it or not, from a little dentist in Chicago to portraits from all over the world," he said. "If I can do it, you can."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.