Earl Moran

About Earl Moran:
Earl Steffa Moran was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, in December 1893. Like many of his contempories Moran studied at the Chicago Art Institute, while at the same time working for a large engraving house which specialized in men's fashion illustrations. Moran studied in Chicago for two years before moving on to Manhattan where he
enrolled at the Art Students League. In 1931 he moved back to Chicago and opened a small studio, specializing in photography and illustration. In 1932 he signed an exclusive contract with Brown and Bigelow and produced his first, and perhaps best known, pin-up for the company: "Golden Hours" in 1933. This pin-up proved so popular
that it was used to market a variety of products, including a huge 5 pound box of chocolates. Earl Moran became one of America's best known pin-up artists after LIFE magazine ran an article on him in 1940, he was also well
known as a cover artist , along with Peter Driben etc., for Robert Harrison, and indeed painted the cover for Harrisons first issue of Beauty Parade. The early forties where also a time of some hardship for Moran, following his bitter divorce from his wife, Mura. After the divorce had been settled he moved to Hollywood and commenced painting film stars along with his calendar work for Brown and Bigelow.
Although Earl Moran utilized a variety of mediums, e.g. oil on canvas in the 40's and oil on canvas board in the50's, he most commonly worked in pastels. His work can often be recognized by his heavy use of light and shadow. Earl Moran continued to paint for Brown and Bigelow well into the late fifties before deciding to retire to
paint fine art subjects. He signed with Aaron Brothers Galleries and continued to paint for collectors until 1982 when his eyesight started to fail. Earl Moran died on the 17th of January in 1984, in Santa Monica, CA.