Real Vampires, Night Stalkers and Creatures from the Darkside. Brad Steiger

      CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

       Thanks to the following gifted artists for contributing original illustrations to this publication

      Ricardo Pustanio

      Ricardo Pustanio is an enduring icon in the world of New Orleans Mardi Gras float design and local artistry. Today, his phenomenal creative talents are witnessed by thousands upon thousands of locals and tourists who throng the streets of New Orleans each year to catch a glimpse of one of the oldest and most prestigious parades of the season, the Krewe of Mid-City. And, according to Ricardo, “The best is still to come!”

      Born in New Orleans, Ricardo is the third son of local golfing legend Eddie “Blackie” Pustanio, a well-known icon of the sport. When Ricardo was baptized, the famous “Diamond Jim” Moran was hailed as his godfather, and all the major golfing pros who visited the elder Pustanio at his City Park Golf Course digs bounced little Ricardo on their knees at one time or another.

      Early in life Ricardo demonstrated a profound talent for art, first expressed in kindergarten and grammar school artwork that was well ahead of its grade level. From an early age, Ricardo’s work was distinguished with prizes and praise.

      Like nearly every child brought up in the city of New Orleans, Ricardo was brought out by his parents to enjoy the pageantry and revelry of the great old-line Mardi Gras parades. These halcyon Mardi Gras days of his youth were Ricardo’s first taste of the passion that would become the artistic pinnacle of his later career.

      During the 1960s Ricardo’s entries won first place awards, and he rode with the King of Mid-City three years in a row: a true precursor of things to come. The winner of many art competitions throughout his life, his earliest prize-winning work was created while Ricardo was still in kindergarten; the piece hung in the children’s area of the New Orleans Museum of Art for many years. Other early works could be found on display in the New Orleans Cabildo: most are now in private art collections in New Orleans and across the United States.

      In the early 1970s Ricardo began a long association with local New Orleans radio station WRNO-FM, where he distinguished himself as art director for many years. Ricardo has also worked for several decorating companies in the New Orleans area, including Freeman, Spangenberg; Schmidt Brothers; Andrews Bartlett and Associates, Exhibition Contractors; and International Productions to name only a few.

      Ricardo served Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré as technical director for its 1992–1993 season, during which he contributed his considerable artistic talents to the creation of scenery and backdrops for the season’s major productions. He worked on scenery for West Side Story and The Baby Dance, for which he created a giant 60 foot by 30 foot papier maché pyramid, one of the highlights of the season. Ricardo’s set designs for the production of King Midas and the Golden Touch and The Snow Queen each won him numerous awards.

      In 1992 Ricardo also began his long association with William Crumb and the Children’s Educational Theatre. His work on scenery and backdrops has toured with the company in 13 major productions across the United States, and he continues to contribute his talents to the organization to this day. Ricardo has also donated his time and talent to a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Save Our Lake Foundation and the March of Dimes.