February 2, 2005

Patrick Nagel's artwork is so 80s. He first began working for Playgirl magazine in 1976 where he perfected the "Nagel Woman." She is perfect and sexy and colorful and strong. She is so 80s.

I have always been drawn to Mr. Nagel's artwork. Most of my friends dismiss it as dated and tacky. I, however, find the simple lines of the paintings to be stunning: part Warhol and part fashion illustration. His work captures the high fashion, money obsessed 80s. His iconic cover of Duran Duran's Rio album proves that.

Mr. Nagel died in 1984 from a heart attack. His artwork lives on in poster shops and nail salons across the country, worthy of more respect than it gets.