Since he retired from his graphic art profession 15 years ago, Hal Lasko now spends 10 hours a day crafting pixel art pixel by pixel. Due to his deteriorating eyesight, Hal uses the zoom tool extensively to create works that even some of today’s most talented graphic artists could learn from. In this mini documentary directed by Hal’s grandson Ryan Lasko and friend Josh Bogdan, we see just how even the simplest of digital tools can have remarkable results…and that you’re never too old to hang things up for good.

The Pixel Painter

Everybody’s heard the story: grandma gets a new cell phone and the grandchildren spend an entire weekend teaching her how to call them. In an age where even Generation-Y’ers sometimes struggle to figure out their new devices, it’s not surprising that perhaps some of the most basic of devices and apps can single-handedly impress those who grew up in an analog world. Hal Lasko worked as a graphic artist drafting directional and weather maps for bombing raids during WWII and once he left the service dedicated his life to graphic design. Not long after he retired, his grandchildren introduced Grandpa to the often-overlooked Microsoft Paint program included for free in Microsoft Windows. What resulted from this introduction to a digital tool is not only some of the most inspirational art you’ve ever seen (Hal is now legally deaf and partially blind):

Hal Lasko’s Bio

Grandpa was born July 28, 1915 in Toledo Ohio – he was one of eight children of Austrian immigrants. As he was starting his career as a graphic designer, he left civilian life to serve in WWII drafting directional and weather maps for bombing raids.

During life after his service he was a graphic designer in Cleveland, OH. Working on projects for companies like General Tire, Goodyear and The Cleveland Browns, he eventually retired from American Greetings in the 1970’s. While Grandpa worked in a creative field – he wasn’t able to fully express his artistic desires on the job – staying up late to paint at home and amassing his own collection of work. His earlier work ranges from colorful drip paintings to abstract design.

He says it wasn’t until he retired that he was able to dedicate the time he craved to his art. In the late 90’s Hal’s family showed him Microsoft Paint – y’know, the one with the “spray paint”? Grandpa was hooked. His work blossomed and he painted on the computer all. the. time. No one knew how important this program would become to Grandpa until he lost some of his vision in 2005 because of wet macular degeneration. Since then Hal has also become legally deaf.

Despite these “setbacks” Grandpa wakes up everyday and is still inspired to create.