GARDEN GROVE - El Rosso was also known as Chuck Russo of Russo's Hardware in Garden Grove. His figures were a fixture for people who drove on 41. El Rosso has since passed, but Russo's hardware is still there and supplying hardware.
He created a number of caricatures including Dolly Parton, Dr. Phil, Michael Jackson, Woody Allen and Tammy Faye Bakker. He also created images for a number of political figures.
He was a staunch Republican and his figures became well known at Republican political gatherings where he would often display them. He also made caricatures of leading Democrats including Lawton Chiles, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton.
His son Troy related the story of how he showed up at the 1988 Republican National Convention and tried to get in. Security was about to turn him away when one of the organizers recognized him and called off security. He was treated as a VIP, given a badge and credentials. They even let him set up his caricatures of Nixon and Bush.
Troy remembers his father starting to create the caricatures in 1968 with things from around the hardware store. A clown was one of the early works. You can see how he developed as a caricature artist over time.
El Rosso would send a picture of the caricature to the famous person who was the subject. He would often receive signed thank yous and other gifts in return. Several famous people even came to see their caricature. Bob Hope posed for a picture with his. Gerald Ford's caricature is at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapid, Michigan.
The Russo's originally had a sawmill in 1948 on the site of the Hardware Store. Over time they transitioned from the sawmill to the hardware store.
Before moving to Garden Grove Chuck Russo attended Carnegie Technical Institute. After graduating he joined the Marines and served during World War II from 1941 to 1946 where he achieved the rank of staff sergeant.
Now is your chance to own a piece of local as well as national history. Currently, all of the remaining caricatures are for sale. Along with the rest of El Russo's art which includes painting and sculptures. Mr. Lee who owns Coney Island recently purchased a pistol and a couple of hot dog sculptures.
As you peruse the hardware store, you are greeted by the likes of a youthful Donald Trump. They recently put that caricature out in the store so that visitors could enjoy it. They have a number of others which are not currently on display.