1. mona=lisa typewriter came up with an ascII portrait. crude but not the answer.
2. mona=lisa computer key board: came up with replication of portrait using a program
to manipulate 50 polygons into place to create a decent image, better yet, but not the
answer.Paul Smith using various manual typewriters over the years created portraits
using the top row of the keyboard with shift key in lock down position.
To try explain this in reverse: a photograph image printed on paper shows up in
magnification as series of shaded dots.
3. typed in on my computer keyboard on Google: typewriter portrait of Mona Lisa and
found the contest.answer. Mike Dalton
*****
This was an interesting photo quiz in terms of the story behind the artist. It is really
quite hard to believe that a person who was as physically challenged as he was, was
able to find a way to express himself in art form.
Solving the quiz was not that difficult although I almost went off on a tangent and was
looking at the work of Roger Alsing who used genetic programming to come up with a
drawing of the Mona Lisa. However, the picture was not the same and lacked the detail
of that shown in the quiz. I then entered the phrase “@#$%^&*()_ Mona Lisa” in
Google and low and behold, the reference to Paul Smith came up (along with the photo
used in the quiz). Norm Smith
*****
He is truly unbelievable - on so many levels!! Elaine C. Hebert
2. mona=lisa computer key board: came up with replication of portrait using a program
to manipulate 50 polygons into place to create a decent image, better yet, but not the
answer.Paul Smith using various manual typewriters over the years created portraits
using the top row of the keyboard with shift key in lock down position.
To try explain this in reverse: a photograph image printed on paper shows up in
magnification as series of shaded dots.
3. typed in on my computer keyboard on Google: typewriter portrait of Mona Lisa and
found the contest.answer. Mike Dalton
*****
This was an interesting photo quiz in terms of the story behind the artist. It is really
quite hard to believe that a person who was as physically challenged as he was, was
able to find a way to express himself in art form.
Solving the quiz was not that difficult although I almost went off on a tangent and was
looking at the work of Roger Alsing who used genetic programming to come up with a
drawing of the Mona Lisa. However, the picture was not the same and lacked the detail
of that shown in the quiz. I then entered the phrase “@#$%^&*()_ Mona Lisa” in
Google and low and behold, the reference to Paul Smith came up (along with the photo
used in the quiz). Norm Smith
*****
He is truly unbelievable - on so many levels!! Elaine C. Hebert
The artist began creating typewriter art at age 15, and steadily refined his technique. He
was able to use his left hand to steady the right and thus press the keys. Locking the
shift key down to make his pictures using the symbols at the top of the number keys,
his images were based on the characters, ” @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ ”
Paul spent 2 to 3 hours a day with his art, while listening to Classical music. It would
take him anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to create a single piece of artwork. As
his mastery of the machine improved, he developed incredible techniques to create
was able to use his left hand to steady the right and thus press the keys. Locking the
shift key down to make his pictures using the symbols at the top of the number keys,
his images were based on the characters, ” @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ ”
Paul spent 2 to 3 hours a day with his art, while listening to Classical music. It would
take him anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to create a single piece of artwork. As
his mastery of the machine improved, he developed incredible techniques to create
| Paul Smith's Memorial Typwriter Artist Dies at 85. The News Review June 28, 2007 Click here. |
| Paul's Bedroom as a young man. /www.chessville.com/misc... |
| Paul Smith's Mona Lisa |
Friends say Paul was uncomfortable being held up as a model for others with
disabilities. He never wanted anyone to feel inadequate because they couldn’t do what
he did. He was described as thoughtful, humble, funny and kind. He died on June 25
2007, but left behind a collection of his incredible artwork that will serve as an
inspiration for all.
For more information, or to see more of Paul's artwork, please visit the following sites:
http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/awe-inspiring-typewriter-art-paul-smith/art
http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/main_biography.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Smith_(artist)
http://www.chessville.com/misc/Paul%20Smith/Paul_Smith.htm
disabilities. He never wanted anyone to feel inadequate because they couldn’t do what
he did. He was described as thoughtful, humble, funny and kind. He died on June 25
2007, but left behind a collection of his incredible artwork that will serve as an
inspiration for all.
For more information, or to see more of Paul's artwork, please visit the following sites:
http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/awe-inspiring-typewriter-art-paul-smith/art
http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/main_biography.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Smith_(artist)
http://www.chessville.com/misc/Paul%20Smith/Paul_Smith.htm
| Paul Smith Self Portrait |
| Detail #1 /www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-... |
Paul was born in
Philadelphia on
September 21, 1921.
From early childhood, he
suffered from spastic
cerebral palsy. The loss
of fine motor control of
his face and hands made
it impossible for him to
attend school—or even
eat, clothe, or bathe
himself—and also made it
difficult for him to
express himself.
Early in life Paul
discovered the typewriter
Philadelphia on
September 21, 1921.
From early childhood, he
suffered from spastic
cerebral palsy. The loss
of fine motor control of
his face and hands made
it impossible for him to
attend school—or even
eat, clothe, or bathe
himself—and also made it
difficult for him to
express himself.
Early in life Paul
discovered the typewriter
shadings, colors using colored typewriter ribbons, and
textures that resembled pencil or charcoal drawings.
Paul also typed images to design his own furniture.
Paul didn’t publish any works, but his artwork has
been collected into several books of art. He created
portraits of 13 US Presidents, and many religious
figures including Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II,
and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. As he aged, Smith’s
cataracts worsened, and he was not able to create art
of as high a quality. He stopped creating pictures in
2004. By this time, he had created over 400, many at
the request of his friends and admirers.
textures that resembled pencil or charcoal drawings.
Paul also typed images to design his own furniture.
Paul didn’t publish any works, but his artwork has
been collected into several books of art. He created
portraits of 13 US Presidents, and many religious
figures including Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II,
and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. As he aged, Smith’s
cataracts worsened, and he was not able to create art
of as high a quality. He stopped creating pictures in
2004. By this time, he had created over 400, many at
the request of his friends and admirers.
rest of his life, except for a short stay at a nursing home closer
to his family. He moved back to Rosehaven because he missed
his friends. Paul never married and had no children.
Although severe cerebral palsy kept him out of school, it didn't
prevent Paul from having a remarkable life. It took him 32 years
to learn to walk, half that to learn to talk, and he never had a
chance to have a formal eduction, Paul taught himself to
become a master artist as well as a terrific chess player.
to his family. He moved back to Rosehaven because he missed
his friends. Paul never married and had no children.
Although severe cerebral palsy kept him out of school, it didn't
prevent Paul from having a remarkable life. It took him 32 years
to learn to walk, half that to learn to talk, and he never had a
chance to have a formal eduction, Paul taught himself to
become a master artist as well as a terrific chess player.
| Paul Smith September 21, 1921 - June 25, 2007 |
| How Don Solved the Puzzle |
and a technique for using it to create pictures. He was able to use one hand to steady
the other and thus press the desired key. He was creating typewriter art from age 15,
and steadily refined his technique.
As a younger man, Paul lived with his parents, moving with them to Hollywood, FL in
1950. He lived with them until they passed away in 1967, when he moved to Roseburg,
OR where he became a resident of the Rosehaven Nursing Home. He lived there the
the other and thus press the desired key. He was creating typewriter art from age 15,
and steadily refined his technique.
As a younger man, Paul lived with his parents, moving with them to Hollywood, FL in
1950. He lived with them until they passed away in 1967, when he moved to Roseburg,
OR where he became a resident of the Rosehaven Nursing Home. He lived there the
| Having grown up in an era when much of my reading was in comic books, a series of symbols such as @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ often represented swear words - such as “What the @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ are those symbols doing on the photo quiz page?” I believed from the start that they had some significance but a search of the sequence by itself only revealed what should have been the obvious - that they were the symbols on the upper most keys, of the keyboard, when the Cap Lock was “on”. It was quite fun seeing all the Mona Lisa copies with distortions, facial substitutes, moustaches and beards. In looking for “Mona Lisa replicas”, however, I failed to match the picture for this week’s quiz. I finally had a brainstorm and put @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ and Mona Lisa together for a Google search and first up was the “Squidwho” website describing the life and work of Paul Smith, Typewriter Artist. Paul Smith, born in Philadelphia on 21 September 1921, created this replica using the upper keys of a typewriter, paper and an eraser. He lived in Oregon and died at age 85 on 25 June 2007. This is not so much the story of a man with a physical disability, as it is about an artist with a very unique talent, skill and ability. This quiz required more time than usual to solve; the outcome was most interesting and satisfying! |
 |  |  |  |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
 |  |  |  |
| _________ _____ || \\ // \\ || || || || \\ || || || || || || | | || || || || || ||_________// ||______|| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || \\______// ||_______ _________ ____ ____ _________ _________ __ __ // // // \\ // \\ || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || \\________ || || || || || || || \\ || || || || ||_______|| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || // || || || || || || //_______ // || || ____||___ || || || |
| ********** |
| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Detail from Steam Engine #3 www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-content/... |
| Quiz #218 - July 20, 2009 |
| ********** |
| Mother Teresa www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-content... |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| Steam Engine #3 1971 www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/awe-inspirin... |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz Number 218 20 July 2009 A Beautiful Painting for Sure Copies of the Mona Lisa painting abound about the world. Every aspiring Artist felt obliged to try his individual version. There are so many from The Classical to The Modernistic, It is difficult to identify one from this painting excursion. The nude renderings are very easy on the eye, And present a different approach and artistic thrill, However, if I were to select one to answer the quiz, M. Duchamp's rendering of 1919, shaved, would answer the bill. Robert Edward McKenna Quiz Poet Laureate ***** Dear Colleen, I realize that you have much better things to do than to humor itinerate poets, but the Ancient Society of Poet Laureates Who Submit Answers to Quizzes, or ASPLWSAQ, demands certain correctness. A title must be affixed to each answer. Please add the title shown below to my answer to quiz number 218. Find below the corrected answer. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. I do not want to loose my standing in this unique society of ASPLWSAQ. Quiz Number 218 20 July 2009 A GREAT PAINTING, FOR SURE Thank you, Robert Edward McKenna Quiz Poet Laureate ***** Dear Robert: Your position as a member of the exclusive ASPLWSAQ is not in jeopardy. You are a charter, lifelong member. Your poem is as usual very literary and well spoken- I'd give it a 10, and say that it is by far the best poem I have ever read about the wrong person. Want to try again? ;-* Colleen |
| Enter Contest |
| Visit our blog at www.forensicgenealogy.info/blog. |
| Red Brick House showing Paul's use of color. Created when Paul was 22 yrs old. www.chessville.com/misc/Paul%20Smith... |
| ********** |
| Comments from Our Readers |
| FDR Undated |
This great man left behind a collection of his amazing artwork that will be an inspiration
for many.I was fortunate to see some of his work before. Jim Kiser
*****
Nice puzzle this week. Took a bit of work to figure it out. Your 'hint' was priceless!
Dennis Brann
*****
Amazing!
(But Colleen I had to look at some really hideous drawing of Mona Lisa to get
there!!!) Betty
Chambers
*****
What a fascinating story. The artist was Paul Smith. I had a heck of a time figuring
this one out. At first I thought it was produced by Alpha Print; the typewriter numbers
capitalized through me off. But once I identified it in Funny Cool Stuff's website and
read about Paul Smith the @#$%^&()_ made sense. Great quiz. Jocelyn Thayer
*****
Extraordinary!Found the answer at www.crookedbrains.net. This site has other
examples of his typewriter art. The site also has examples of other out of the ordinary
art. For example art created on a single hair and art created with and on bananas. Fun!
Nancy Lear
*****
I am going out on a limb for this one. It is Phil Hansen and burger grease art that he
created for an Arby's ad. I really wanted it to be an elephant painting. Do I need to
keep looking? Judy Pfaff
*****
BTW, August 21, 2009, will be the 98th anniversary of the theft of the Mona Lisa from
the Louvre Museum. That shocked the French nation and was declared the crime of the
century. I just finished reading R.A. Scotti's new book "Vanished Smile". Highly
recommended to arm chair sleuths and art crime aficionados. Stan Read
*****
What a remarkable man. Gina Hudson
*****
It was fascinating to read about Paul Smith. People who can overcome a severe
handicap and who are able to find and utilize a talent which they have been given should
be an inspiration to us all. Too many of us live our mundane lives never reaching
beyond what is easy to achieve to what is possible, but more difficult. Paul Smith's
ability to see past the individual typewriter characters and develop ways to use them for
subtle shading and lines is incredible. It is amazing how he could keep the entire picture
in mind and then reproduce it line by line. Milene Rawlinson
*****
Anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves should take a look at the web site devoted
to this gentleman. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
for many.I was fortunate to see some of his work before. Jim Kiser
*****
Nice puzzle this week. Took a bit of work to figure it out. Your 'hint' was priceless!
Dennis Brann
*****
Amazing!
(But Colleen I had to look at some really hideous drawing of Mona Lisa to get
there!!!) Betty
Chambers
*****
What a fascinating story. The artist was Paul Smith. I had a heck of a time figuring
this one out. At first I thought it was produced by Alpha Print; the typewriter numbers
capitalized through me off. But once I identified it in Funny Cool Stuff's website and
read about Paul Smith the @#$%^&()_ made sense. Great quiz. Jocelyn Thayer
*****
Extraordinary!Found the answer at www.crookedbrains.net. This site has other
examples of his typewriter art. The site also has examples of other out of the ordinary
art. For example art created on a single hair and art created with and on bananas. Fun!
Nancy Lear
*****
I am going out on a limb for this one. It is Phil Hansen and burger grease art that he
created for an Arby's ad. I really wanted it to be an elephant painting. Do I need to
keep looking? Judy Pfaff
*****
BTW, August 21, 2009, will be the 98th anniversary of the theft of the Mona Lisa from
the Louvre Museum. That shocked the French nation and was declared the crime of the
century. I just finished reading R.A. Scotti's new book "Vanished Smile". Highly
recommended to arm chair sleuths and art crime aficionados. Stan Read
*****
What a remarkable man. Gina Hudson
*****
It was fascinating to read about Paul Smith. People who can overcome a severe
handicap and who are able to find and utilize a talent which they have been given should
be an inspiration to us all. Too many of us live our mundane lives never reaching
beyond what is easy to achieve to what is possible, but more difficult. Paul Smith's
ability to see past the individual typewriter characters and develop ways to use them for
subtle shading and lines is incredible. It is amazing how he could keep the entire picture
in mind and then reproduce it line by line. Milene Rawlinson
*****
Anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves should take a look at the web site devoted
to this gentleman. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
| Harry S Truman 1948 |
| Richard M Nixon Undated |
| Congratulations to Our Winners! Joshua Kreitzer Tamura Jones Kate Johnson Sandy McConathy Dennis Brann Laurel Fletchner Gary Sterne Jim Kiser Janice Sellers Nancy Lear Mike Swierczewski Stan Read Diane Burkett Betty Chambers Gina Hudson Milene Rawlinson Marty Guidry Patricia Frazier Shellee Morehead Charlie Wayne Cindy Tarsi Elaine C. Hebert Carolyn Cornelius Wayne Douglas Dave Doucette Carl Blessing Marilyn Hamill Mike Dalton Don Draper Karen Kay Bunting Jocelyn Thayer Norm Smith Rick Mackinney Robert W. Steinmann Jr. Robert Edward McKenna, QPL |
| @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ Who created this replica of the Mona Lisa? |
| ********** |
| Answer: |
| James Earl Carter 1879 |
| George H. Bush 1989 |
Sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious. I saw the caption and
signature on the pic, too, but couldn't read them this time--too
fuzzy. Marilyn Hamill
*****
The simple answer is Paul Smith, who although physically disabled
by cerebal palsy, had exceptional artistic and chess talents.
signature on the pic, too, but couldn't read them this time--too
fuzzy. Marilyn Hamill
*****
The simple answer is Paul Smith, who although physically disabled
by cerebal palsy, had exceptional artistic and chess talents.
| Self Portrait |