CuJo’s Mask Artist – Frank Cipra, Interview

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Frank Cipra has created signature looks for many goalies

Frank Cipra - Guess who's on the mask?

I had the pleasure of chatting for some time today with Frank Cipra. Frank has been in the business for a long time, but undoubtedly is best known for creating Cujo’s signature look. Most artists I speak with mention Frank and the CuJo mask as inspirations and I must say that he has created some of my favorites, including the incredibly detailed Andrew Raycroft Leafs mask – all in blue and white.

In our interview, which you can hear by clicking the link above, Frank spoke about:

• How he began painting masks and coming to work for iTech
• Where inspiration comes from – the classic wake up in the middle of the night with an idea!
• Goalies’ growing interest in design
• Jose Theodore as the most demanding client 
• The evolution of Cujo’s design – from straight line almost cartoon-like to today’s detailed 3-D look
• The development in his art, challenging himself to grow and improve. 
• Andrew Raycroft’s Leafs mask – two weeks of research and painting – all blue.
• Personalities – Robert Esche is one of the funniest guys he knows.
• Other areas of art – “anything that’ll stand still long enough for me to paint – I’ll paint it!”
• Splitting with Marlene Ross (Luongo’s artist) when he moved to iTech – and she decided not to move with him to begin her own business.
• Layering the imagery – so from a distance you can recognize the design, but then have more detail at a deeper level up close.
• Masks in the Hall of Fame

Thank you to Frank for taking the time to chat with us. Please visit his web site for more information. I’m sure if you have a mask – or anything else – that needs painting, Frank would love to hear from you.

Related posts:

1. Goalie Mask Artist Dave Gunnarsson of DAVEART Interview
2. Ryan Miller’s New Mask – Interview with Artist Ray Bishop
3. Goal Mask Artist Stephane Bergeron
4. Mask Artist Feature – David Leroux
5. What’s that on Cujo’s and Mason’s Sticks? – BladeTape for Goalies – Interview