By Cris Italia
Epstein takes pride in his work, but admits that it is not art. His work is created from captured scenes and still photography.
In the lower level of the Oceanside Library, Epstein has displayed various illustrations, ranging from Darth Vader to Sandra Bullock to the New York City Skyline.
I've been drawing all my life, said the lifelong Island Park resident. I hate working for other people, so this is something I like to do.
The public first got a taste for his work when he worked for a local Sam Goody entertainment store. The promo materials for Star Wars: Episode I didn't come in time so I drew up some illustrations from the movie, Epstein said. The illustrations gained rave reviews and people flooded the store just so they can reserve their copy of the movie upon its release and see the much spoken about art work for themselves. On a good day we would get maybe two or three reservations for movies, but after the display we were getting well over ten reservations a day.
Soon after, Epstein continued his many illustrations of characters from movies, as well as entertainers. On display are illustrations of several WWF wrestlers, Hollywood entertainers, Star Wars characters that are signed by several of the actors, and portraits that Epstein just had to draw.
When I see something that I think would look good as an illustration, I just have to do it, Epstein said, pointing out one such case when he saw a picture of a complete stranger and was moved to draw it. That illustration of a young woman holding her hands to her head is also on display.
There is another side to Epstein that received much attention just two years ago. It was just another summer day in Long Beach when Epstein witnessed three young boys struggling to get back to shore after swimming in the water after 6 p.m. Lifeguards in Long Beach go home after 6 p.m. so there was no one there to save them, Epstein explained.
Without hesitation Epstein swam out to the boys. I'm not a strong guy and I'm not that good of a swimmer either, but I felt if I could just get there to calm them down they could make it back to shore. Epstein swam up to the boys and told them to lay flat on their backs and keep their heads up, until more help could come and pull them out. As he stayed afloat, help finally came. Off-duty lifeguards pulled two of the boys and Epstein out of the water, but the third was nowhere to be found.
They were all taken to a nearby hospital and treated, but he later found out that the other boy had died and washed up to shore after several attempts to search for him. I didn't go out there to be a hero, I went there because there was no one else going in to save them and I figured I could at least keep them calm and tell them what to do.
Epstein, 29, never heard from nor saw the boy he saved again. He thought about seeking them out soon after, but felt that it was a time to mourn, because the family still lost one of their sons. I've always wanted to see how he was, but I can understand it was very emotional.
Epstein's illustrations are on display at the library until April 15. All of his illustrations and portraits are on sale, but those interested can also buy prints of his work. For the work I put in I don't think I charge that much. Epstein says his detail illustrations can take up to ten hours or more to complete. The cost of originals range from $60 to $500. Prints however are $10 each.
For more information on Epstein's work you can email him at Darthbanne@aol.com. Epstein can also be reached at Pearls Arts and Crafts in East Meadow.
