How This Artist Outlined the Look of SNL For Decades

Decades in the past, throughout a poker sport on the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, artist Edie Baskin had an opportunity encounter that may alter the trajectory of her profession. That night time, she met Lorne Michaels, the Canadian-American producer answerable for one of many world’s most beloved comedy exhibits: Saturday Night Live (SNL). Over time, Baskin and Michaels turned mates and, as soon as they each landed in New York, he ultimately invited her to create the primary title sequence for SNL forward of its premiere in 1975.

The relaxation, as they are saying, is historical past. Throughout her tenure as SNL’s resident photographer from 1975 to 2000, Baskin produced an unforgettable assortment of hand-colored portraits, every depicting stars from the present. The artist would first snap photographs in black-and-white, later hand-tinting them with pastels, markers, pencils, and oil paint. The ensuing compositions are mischievous but charming, deftly combining playful, illustrative particulars with daring coloration palettes. Every week, these vibrant pictures of forged members and friends appeared on tv units throughout the nation, in the end defining SNL’s visible tradition for many years.

Now, some 25 years after she departed from SNL, Baskin is providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her artistic course of by means of Live From My Studio. The e-book, which was revealed in October 2025 by ACC Art Books, gathers greater than 200 pages of unique artwork that Baskin created throughout her time at SNL. Found inside are portraits of Will Ferrell, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Rob Reiner, Sissy Spacek, Lily Tomlin, and the Grateful Dead, amongst numerous others.

“My style became the style of the show,” Baskin tells My Modern Met. “Lorne always gave me a lot of freedom, and that allowed me to really develop my own voice. I hope people feel the fun I was having at the time.”

My Modern Met had the prospect to talk with Edie Baskin about her creative follow, her tenure as resident photographer at SNL, and the latest launch of Live From My Studio. Baskin’s e-book is at the moment accessible for buy via Bookshop.org and ACC Art Books’s website.

What first compelled you about images as your major creative medium?

My father had a Rolleiflex and watching him take pictures made me wish to begin taking footage myself. He even turned our lavatory—our solely lavatory—right into a darkroom for me.

What initially impressed you to hand-tint your pictures with supplies like pastels, markers, pencils, and oil paint?

I had a few mates who have been doing that type of work, and I actually appreciated what they have been making. So, I made a decision to provide it a attempt myself.

In 1975, you joined Saturday Night Live as its resident photographer. How did you find yourself on the present?

I met Lorne [Michaels] at a poker sport on the Chateau Marmont. We turned mates, and the primary time he employed me was to work on a Lily Tomlin particular. Later, whereas I used to be residing in New York, Lorne referred to as to inform me he was shifting there to start out a brand new present.

Around that point, I had pushed cross-country taking black-and-white pictures, together with a sequence of photographs of Las Vegas at night time. When I returned to New York, I printed the pictures and hand-colored them. I didn’t solely {photograph} Las Vegas—I additionally photographed Cadillac Ranch—however the Las Vegas photographs actually stood out to me.

I invited Lorne to my studio to see the painted pictures, and he particularly appreciated the Las Vegas night time photographs. He requested if I may do one thing comparable for New York City, and that turned the primary title sequence for Saturday Night Live.

How did you develop your private fashion whereas at SNL, and the way did your work outline the present as a complete?

My fashion turned the fashion of the present. Lorne at all times gave me a whole lot of freedom, and that allowed me to essentially develop my very own voice.

What are a few of your favourite reminiscences from SNL? Do you’ve got any pictures you’re significantly happy with out of your time there?

Some of my favourite reminiscences are merely laughing backstage with the forged after we have been all simply hanging out. As for pictures, there are a number of I’m particularly happy with from my e-book, together with Steve Martin, Sissy Spacek, Madeline Kahn, Rodney Dangerfield, Ruth Gordon, and the Rolling Stones.

What was the method of making Live From My Studio?

I used to be approached by somebody about doing a e-book, and at first, I didn’t actually wish to do it. I’m not even positive why—I don’t keep in mind precisely what held me again.

Once I dedicated, I spent hours, days, weeks, and months going by means of all my hand-painted work. Just organizing every part was a large endeavor. We labored intensely on organizing and scanning the pictures. None of my work had been scanned earlier than—every part was analog—so the scanning alone was an enormous job.

What do you hope folks will take away from Live From My Studio?

I hope folks really feel the enjoyable I used to be having on the time.

 

Edie Baskin: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to characteristic pictures by Sarah Hall Productions.

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