There are many Rubiks Cube masters who can solve the iconic 3D puzzle in record time, but not many who can create art with these colorful cubes. When we first introduced you to Buttonpresser Studios' Pete Fecteau in 2011, he had just completed an epic Martin Luther King Jr. memorial painting made entirely of 4,242 Rubiks cubes. Now the "cubist" artist returns with an impressive portfolio of Rubiks Cube portraits, showing that he can create almost any image from his unconventional selection of media.
From portraits of Marilyn Monroe to Kurt Cobain, Fecteau often paid tribute to those he admired. He also creates custom mosaics for corporate clients, collectors, galleries and museums. The largest work to date is the colossal statue of Mr. Ern Rubik, the inventor of the Rubiks Cube. Titled Erno, it includes 5,618 Rubiks Cubes and is on display as part of the Beyond Rubiks Cube traveling exhibition.
Fecteau begins his process on the computer, where he uses Photoshopp Process the image into a black and white image. He then transformed the gray tones into the cubes signature color. Each cube acts as a series of digital pixels—the more cubes Fecteau uses, the more detail he can achieve. Similar to pointillism, the image becomes clearer when viewed from a distance.
Each piece may take up to 30 hours to complete. "Cubes are great for making art, if you're willing to take the time," Fecteau said.
Artist Pete Fecteau uses thousands of Rubiks cubes to create colorful pop culture portraits.
His colorful mosaics look like pixelated art.
They may take up to 30 hours to complete.
