The county is his canvas

Artist has left his mark all over Sussex County, By Tom Hoffman WANTAGE — Local motorcycle and truck enthusiasts have likely marveled at samples of Art Frisbie’s handiwork on vehicles he’s airbrushed without even realizing the source. Frisbie’s imprint is also emblazoned on eye-catching three-dimensional custom signs posted throughout Sussex County, ranging from Simon Peter in Andover to Hayek’s Market in Newton and Tullamore Dew Farm in Branchville. He’s also painted patriotic mailboxes as a favor to two local Scout groups, including one that resembles a draped flag at the Wantage Township American Legion Hall and another which pays tribute to U.S. armed forces. That one is located outside the Sussex County Library branch in Sussex. But locals who drive past his home in Wantage are probably most familiar with the 20-foot seascape he sculpted from a tree in his back yard using two chainsaws and paint. “I always wanted to try my hand at chainsaw carving,” says Frisbie, whose business, Art Frisbie’s Airworx has been operating in Sussex County for the past 20 years. Five years ago, after a tree was damaged in Frisbie’s backyard, he asked the tree cutter to leave a 20-foot section for him to work with. After taking some ribbing from family members about procrastinating on the project, Frisbie rolled up his sleeves in June and did a rough cut on the remaining trunk. It was a whole new experience for him. “I’d never even used a chainsaw, much less carved with one,” said Frisbie. But you’d hardly know that after viewing the sculpture of various sea creatures that’s now 90 percent complete, save for some coral he plans to finish near the base. Frisbie airbrushed the carving to help bring out the likenesses of the sea creatures that are embedded, including a shark, a jellyfish, a manatee, a whale, a stingray and a marlin. Frisbie used a knot in the center of the tree to fashion a shell for a sea turtle. Imagination is key It’s the same type of creativity and imagination that led the Newton native to embark on a career in art beginning in the 1980s. After graduating from Pope John Regional High School in 1978, Frisbie enlisted in the Navy, serving in Scotland and Philadelphia from 1978 to 1987. After initially drawing caricatures of shipmates, Frisbie tried his hand at airbrushing when he was about 25. “I airbrushed everything I could get my hands on — T-shirts, pillowcases, you name it,” he said. After Frisbie was discharged from the Navy in 1987, the self-taught artist decided to go on a vacation to Orlando. The vacation turned into a 10-month gig as he stayed in the area air brushing T-shirts for a living. Frisbie later returned to Newton, where a friend asked if he could letter his truck. “I’d never done that before,” said Frisbie. He rented a small shop in Newton and is still at it 20 years later. He now operates a studio here in Wantage Township where he continues to paint vehicles, bedrooms or other items that customers request. “I had one client with a 20-foot speedboat with a stern that was shaped like the back of his Corvette. So he asked me to paint the stern to look like the back of a Corvette, which I did, right down to the DOT numbers on the lenses,” he said. Frisbie, one of 10 children who each have a creative temperament, believes he inherited his artistic flair from his mother who makes doll clothing. His son Chad, 8, the youngest of Frisbie’s four children with his wife Lisa, seems to have picked up the same traits, judging from samples of Chad’s impressive paintings that are displayed throughout his dad’s studio. “It’s an awesome feeling for him to know that he has this gift,” said the proud father. In fact, Frisbie’s art is the thread that connected him with Lisa 13 years ago. After Frisbie detailed his truck, Lisa’s brother introduced the two of them through the guise of a project on Lisa’s vehicle and they’ve been smitten ever since.