Frank “Rocky” Fiegel- Inspiration for Popeye

Frank Fiegel 24 x 24 oil on linen. Frank “Rocky” Fiegel was the original inspiration for the Popeye character created by E. C. Segar. Frank was a merchant marine who worked as a bouncer when he wasn’t at sea. He would say “I just Pop ’em in the Eye”. Hence the name “Popeye”. When I read an article about him and saw the picture- I just had to paint him. Circa. 1900.