Friday, December 19, 2008

My wild college days

Photo by Christina Dillbeck
I was perusing the super information internet highway (i.e. typed my name into the search engine), and I found an article written about me whilst I was still attending Saginaw Valley State University. Here is a link. And here is the picture if you likes me looks but not readin' 'bout me.



Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Con Man

Photo courtesy of Dark Elf Designs
This photo was taken of me at the XCape Con 2 November 22, 2008 at the Gateway Center Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. It was a fun experience with alot of great talents and organizers.

You can see more at the website www.xcapecon.com or their Myspace site.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Comic geekery


Above is a drawing I did of Marvel's Loki and Thor. I'm taking it with me this weekend to the XCape Con
in Flint. If anybody plans to attend, and would like a drawing such as this, email me ASAP and I can have it ready for you Saturday or Sunday at the Gateway Centre Holiday Inn.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Me and The Duke at X Cape Con 2



I'm going to be bringing some of my fine arts pieces as well as my comic art to the X Cape Con. One of the pieces I might bring is this piece of John Wayne from one of my 3 favorite Duke movies, "The Shootist". I created a woodblock print from this drawing and will have that available. SO, if you're in the Flint, Michigan area November 22-23, swing by the Holiday Inn in Gateway Centre.

Oh, and I also have the Pete Townsend drawing up on Ebay again.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

West Branch CHILDREN'S Film Festival

Alright, kiddies! It has been announced that West Branch, Michigan, my hometown, will be host to the first West Branch Children's Film Festival! It is the first festival for kids in the mid/northern Michigan area. It will be a 3 day event, July 31-August 2, 2009. There will be areas around West Branch that will be playing movies for children, and movies BY children! This will be a VERY family-friendly event. There will also be professionals in the field of filmmaking to speak or give workshops or even present their own children's film.
At the time of this post, the Film Festival Committee is building a website, contacting filmmakers and local schools, and organizing. I am an unofficial member of the committee, as I am with the West Branch Film Initiative.
If you know of anyone who has a child-friendly film, or is making one, or knows of a youngster between the ages of 3-18, let them know about the WEST BRANCH CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL. We are planning to make it an annual event and be a Cannes for Kiddies!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

X-CAPE CON 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it's been alot of back and forth, but YES I WILL be a guest at the X-Cape Con 2 comic and sci-fi convention in Flint, Michigan at the Holiday Inn on Gateway. Here's a link
www.xcapecon.com
The event takes place Saturday, November 22 and Sunday , November 23. I will have art on display and for sale, M.I.A. : Mime In Action for sale, doing sketches, taking orders and selling (for a buck or under) an EXCLUSIVE VIETMIME teaser. You can only get this teaser at the X-Cape Con 2, or order it from me here. You can also order a certain amount from me online and pick them up at the con, just to make sure I have enough printed up. It will be a limited printing.
And if you are a fellow GROOPER and plan on attending, PLEASE let me know ASAP!!
Spread the word!!!

West Branch Movie buzz

The West Branch Area Film Initiative, or Ogemaw County Film Initiative, is currently organizing and will have a website up soon! I am a member of the film committee, unofficially, and will try my best to keep updates on this great experience for West Branch. The goal is not only to get movies made in West Branch, but to bring jobs to the residents of Ogemaw County and to give the youth of the area a reason to come back home after college or during college. There is training available for film work and opportunities throughout Michigan. You can view some info on the Michigan Film Incentive, which is a tax cut for filmmakers shooting in Michigan, at www.mich.gov/filmoffice
I feel very strongly about this initiative in West Branch. Pete Fabbri, the lead organizer of the Initiative and co-owner of The Silver Lining in downtown West Branch, has told us that West Branch is in the lead for organizing for filming right now. No other town is as on the ball as we are, and we hope to keep it that way!
As soon as a site is up and running for the film initiative, I will provide a link.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Documentary news

I've been kicking around the idea of doing a documentary about myself as an artist. Wanna run the camera? Contact me ASAP. It's free work, but something to put on a resume.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Behind Blue Eyes for sale


Well, if you know of any fans of The Who, send them my way. My charcoal drawing of Pete Townsend is up for sale again. I have it on Ebay here. Great gift for the holidays.

I had someone promise to buy it, and that was two months ago.
Please remember that the photo above has a little flash reflection on it.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I'm BAAAAAAAAACK

I know it's been nearly a month since my last post. My internet connection isn't readily available as it was.
Anyway, since I've been gone, not much has happened.
I will be doing sketches at Logger's Depot in Downtown West Branch on Ladies' Nights(Wednesdays). I'll also bring other artwork, art prints and t-shirts.
I will be at the Bay City Gallery Walk on the first Thursday in November, 2 weeks away. I can't remember the name of the store, but it women's clothing. Hmm.
I am still to be a guest at the X-Cape Con 2 in Flint, Michigan November 22 and 23 at the Holiday Inn.
CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Neal Gilbert and his wife on the birth of their first baby, Brooke!!!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Bay City Thursday Gallery Walk

I haven't posted in awhile.
But now I am. So quit bitching.
Just to get you up to date:
I will NOT be a guest at the Xcape Con due to lack of funds to get a table. I won't get into it, other than to say that I am VERY disappointed and saddened by the fact that I won't be participating.
The gallery walk was alright. The weather factored in and slowed the flow of traffic around the Bay City Gallery Walk area. I was displaying and demonstrating at the Intermission Deli, and loved it! They were playing good freakin' blues and the owners were fantastic. I sold a few things and got alot of positive feedback.
This Saturday, October 4 I will be in downtown West Branch, Michigan for the Street Fair doing caricatures and what-not, as well as displaying work and selling posters, original art, and shirts. THAT'S RIGHT!!!! Nuttall Art T-shirts with Jason Nuttall artwork. If YOU have a favorite drawing or painting of mine in mind, write me ASAP at jasonnuttall@yahoo.com so I can get it made by Ink & Thread of West Branch.
That's about it for now. I did a drawing of the Late, great Paul Newman at the gallery walk. It's not done yet and I need to take a pic of it, but I kinda like it so far.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Art and money



I received a message from someone about a friend of theirs who was interested in the drawing above. Please remember, I am not picking on this person or making fun of them. This is a general comment I come across when selling artwork.


"For $155? Nah, I can't spend that money on it. Not that its not worth it, looks beautiful just alot of money."
This could be a quote from a great number of people who showed interest in my work . I, myself, am not in any position to pay that kind of money for artwork, but that price is a very low price for what I think it's worth. The reason I put that price for that piece is because I thought I was underpricing the drawing. When I'm selling original artwork on Ebay, I point out that the work is ORIGINAL. There will be no other like it. Reproductions are lesser versions of the original. So when I'm trying to sell an original piece, and it is a quality piece, I hope that people realize that it's something I spent time on and worked at. I didn't buy it and reselling it. I created it. It's frustrating when people expect artists to sell their work for very little. I sold a drawing, a decent drawing for $30 on Ebay. I had one bidder and the minimum bid was $30. I know, I should have placed a higher starting bid, but when people see a starting bid of $60 or more, they pass on it. But it's ORIGINAL ARTWORK! I gave a bidder who didn't get their bid in on time a chance to buy an original drawing and asked for $75. They wanted me to honor the Buy It Now price of $65. They couldn't even give up the $10. I accepted it, however, because I have to take it sometimes these days because people are not buying and I needed the money.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone. I'm flustered. If you're buying original artwork, remember that you're not just buying a drawing on paper from the artist but the reputation of the artist. That artist might make a name for themselves or already have. Artwork can be an investment. Don't try to short change the artist, because it chips away at their integrity when you don't want to pay over $100 for something that obviously is worth more.
Nuff said

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Purple (ish) Haze


Hey. I just finished a new drawing today. Oil pastel. Let me know what you think. And if you know anyone who's a big Hendrix, or John Lennon, fan send them my way.




Plus, I have some prints and original work on Ebay.

I have a BB King drawing print. The original was given to BB King in 2000. You can see it here.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I'm a guest at Xcape Con


I will be a guest (or exhibitor) at Xcape Con in Flint!!
I'm planning on having my own table at the Xcape Con comic convention in Flint, Michigan Nov. 22-23. PLEASE if you're near the area, come by and say hi.Tix are only $8/person and FREE PARKING!!! Reply to this post if you're gonna make it (and especially if you're a fellow Grooper!) .
If you would like a special sketch or portrait done for the con, contact me ASAP and I will have it done for you for the Xcape Con (putting money down would help).
You can get more details about the convention on the Xcape Con Myspace site, linked below:

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Remember those pictures I mentioned...?







I've been having alot of trouble today with my internet connection. I can't seem to stay online. AND I use dial-up, so everything moves slowly. I'm trying to post the artwork previously mentioned, but have been unable. I did get a pic of my new John Lennon drawing up on Myspace. http://www.myspace.com/nuttallart



I did, however, get the oil pastel of West Branch posted. It's a very rough drawing, done on location from the parking lot of Wal-Mart. I'm hoping to work on it more, or make it into an oil painting. Let me know what you think. jasonnuttall@yahoo.com

I also got the painting I started 5 years ago of Melissa holding Rebecca. Still has some work that needs be done.
Oh, yeah. And there's the graphite drawing I started 8 years ago of Melissa in Irons Park. There's a glare from the camera, so the detail's not very clear. Sorry. This one also has alot of work that needs to be done.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

More new artwork


Well, here I will be displaying a group of paintings and drawings. This one is Jack Nicholson, on sale on Ebay. Nicholson is my favorite actor and has been for a very long time. one is a West Branch scene, one is of my wife with our first baby, Rebecca between 6-12 months, and one is a drawing of my wife the first year we met. All these pieces are still works in progress. The Smiley Face is an oil pastel drawing I did on location. I might turn that into a painting.


Friday, September 19, 2008

Film Video

I've been thinking for quite some time now about taping myself working on artwork, and even going as far as doing a little documentary about being a father and an artist and what-not, delving into the journey to the Xcape Con as an artist rather than just a fan. I've always been intrigued in these kinds of documentaries about artists. I just saw the one about Chuck Connely, I even watched "My Date with Drew" and was riveted.
The only problem is that my studio is my dark basement with a work light, and my camera is a cassette recorder camcorder. No digital (I hope to have excerpts online).

Any thoughts? comment or write me directly on what you think, or if you would like to help.
jasonnuttall@yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

artwork on display, not much to say.


I just want to display some artwork. Not alot to say right now. The drawing above is charcoal of Sammy Hagar's guitarist, Waborita Victor Johnson. It's charcoal and made originally for him, but never had the opportunity to give it to him. And it has become a personal favorite of mine.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Hi Amy!!!!

How are things with you, Amy? I see you are my only friend....


Oh, wondering about this picture, you say?


I never told you that my wife, Melissa and I met the fantastic ALAN RUCK last year at the Motor City Comic Con!!!! He was a very kind and generous person. We spoke for about 10 minutes (I caught him after he got back from the bathroom, so there was no line for the first time that day!). I interviewed him for the SVSU paper, but they didn't print what I wrote.

We were delighted to see him on our favorite show, "Psych" tonight on USA! I thought he was great, but I've always been a fan, especially when he was on "Spin City". All his guest spots are great, and, of course, there's Ferris Bueller...

At the beginning of this season, Sean on "Psych" made many references to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" in the episode "Murder...Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?", and Alan Ruck is well known for his role in that movie.

Heh. Cool. Who saw the pineapple?


So, Amy, thank you for coming forth as, apparently, my ONLY reader. I appreciate you.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Xcape Con

In my efforts to become a legitimate comic book artist, I am aiming to be an artist at the Flint Xcape Comic Convention November 22-23. I would be doing sketches, selling sketches, selling art and a comic, and promoting "VIETMIME" and the fact that a publisher is interested in the project.
I am very excited to be a part of the convention. There's one problem though: I'm not signed up yet. I need to fill out forms and pay money that I do not have. Deadline is October 1st and I don't know if I will have the extra moolah to do it. My creative partner, the berger in Nutberger Ink, Tim Schaiberger, wants to go as well. I think he has a better chance of making it than I do at this point.
But anyway, Flint, Michigan will be host to the second comic convention in Mid-Michigan in 20 years. The first convention was Xcape Con 1. This one is Xcape Con 2.

Click here to view the info for the event.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Friends of the Blog

Hello!
Been a few days since my last blog. I'm hoping to get some new artwork done in the next few days, including a Jack Nicholson painting and some VIETMIME pages done.
In the meantime, I would REALLY appreciate it if those of you who visit my blog add yourself to my "Readers" list. I kinda feel like I'm writing to nothing because I never get feedback. I was told that the "comments" portion of the posts wasn't working.
REMEMBER I am not asking for money!!! JUST go to the link to your left on the screen where it says "NUTHEADS".
Heh.
I liked that.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Happy Birthday, Sergio!!!


I was reminded by posts from members of THE GROOP (THE Groo fan club! check out http://www.groo.com/ for details) that 71 years ago today the Aragoneses graced the world with Sergio Aragones!!!

Happy Birthday, sir. And MANY more!!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hagar Story!!











As some of you may know, I am a fan of Sammy Hagar. Let's just leave it at that.




Well, in 2004 Sammy opened a Cabo Wabo Cantina, based on his club in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in South Lake Tahoe at Harrah's. As the first US based Cabo, I wanted to show my appreciation of the music and spirit of Sammy and Cabo by painting a series of paintings of Sammy. One was from a fan club called Sam~Land that I am also a part of and the others were from me and ONLY me!!!! HAHAHAHHA!!!



Anyway, one of the Redheads/SamLanders, Michigan Mike, took the paintings to Tahoe on my behalf and with the assistance of another fan, handed Sammy the paintings. They now hang in the "Red Rocker Room" and I have seen since then photos of the paintings still. I have decided to make prints of two of the three and they are now



Above are images of the paintings at the "Tahoe Wabo", one with Sammy with the SamLand painting, and a pic taken by a fellow Redhead of Aaron Hagar in the "Red Rocker Room" under the "What Is Understood..." painting!

Monday, September 1, 2008

I are a teacher, too!!

I don't think I've ever mentioned that I have had the great fortune of teaching drawing, and occassionally painting or photo during summer camps and various programs over the years. When I meet the parents, they often ask if I do private lessons because something I taught or how I teach affected their children enough to want to continue with me.
SO, as always, I am available for private lessons. It can be for basic art, drawing, painting, block printing, comic book art, cartoons (not animation), portraiture, landscape, etc.
The advantage to private lessons opposed to a school course is that I can focus on the interests of that one individual, or group of artists. There is a curriculum that must be followed and various bases to touch upon in a school course. I'm available to zoom in to something that either might not be in your school's class structure or hardly worked with.
You can contact me here or e-mail me at jasonnuttall@yahoo.com
The more the merrier, ages 5-150.

Well, I had to do it

I put the Bob Dylan drawing on Ebay. I've been trying to do drawings just for Ebay, but I have to keep low prices on the pieces, and to see my original work being sold for under $100 kinda hurts. It just shows how little artwork is appreciated and how I seem to be in the wrong profession. If I was selling a guitar or a boat, I could make good money.
And then I end up not getting ANY bids on work sometimes. Then I go from feeling desperate to pathetic.
The link is below for the Ebay auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160278093779
Tell your friends and neighbors.

Friday, August 29, 2008

All Along the Blogtower...


Sorry for the absence!! Not much going lately. I just finished a 2 week course teaching 9-15 year olds how to draw. But now I'm back!

I just completed a drawing of Bob Dylan. It's a charcoal piece, about 18x24. The source I used was not a great Dylan image, but it was all I had. I might have it on Ebay soon, but I wanted my readers (if I have any) first dibs, or be able to tell your friends and neighbors about it. I'm keeping a low price on it, but it is an original drawing....

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Yorkshire pudding




As a kid, my mom would make "yorkshire pudding". Now, as a blogger, I should clarify what it is. But I don't wanna. All I will say is it's made with flour, salt, milk and eggs and put in the oven. When it comes out it should look like a topping-less pizza. Mine was not so successful. Mine keeps looking like an overshot of the Rocky Mountains. But it's good. At least, I always liked it.


I decided in the last couple weeks to try my hand at making yorkshire pudding. The photos are the results. The beautiful blonde girl is my daughter, viewing yorkshire pudding for the first time.
Yeah, she felt the same when she tasted it, too. It's a kind of bland flavor, but not a bad flavor.

Oncearoundandbackagain






If you like the drawing above, please click here. It is a drawing of Robert Plant, of the Honeydrippers, solo artist fame, and he was in some band about a led balloon....?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Groo Crew (Heavy on the Sakai)




If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with Groo the Wanderer. I have been flipping through the pages of Sergio Aragones' creation longer than I've been able to read. Groo (and countless other comics) contributed to my learning how to read. It is also, along with Popeye, the greatest reason for me to start drawing. I drew Popeye in First Grade, and Groo in Second Grade. Over the years I learned the names of the men who put the Groo books together (Sergio Aragones-Creator/Pencils/Inks, Mark Evanier-Writer, Tom Luth-Colorist, Stan Sakai (seen above)-Letterer) and came to admire each individual's work. I also found that Groo wasn't ALL they did! Sergio, apparently, has been working with MAD Magazine since 1962 as well as many side projects and collaberations with Evanier and other artists. Mark Evanier has written many books, written for television, written other comic books, and was assistant to legend Jack Kirby (he currently has a book released, titled "KIRBY: King of Comics". You can read about it here, or buy it here). Colorist Tom Luth has worked on various comics, including USAGI YOJIMBO by Stan Sakai, Disney Adventures, and others. He also works in book design and if you visit his site, I won't have to list the many things this man is capable of. Stan Sakai will be celebrating in 2009 the 25th Anniversary of his creation, USAGI YOJIMBO. He also letters for the Spider-Man comic strip and will be doing (or did. I'm behind in my comic shop dwellings) a special for Marvel Comics.

Stan is also one of the kindest gentlemen I have ever had the fortune to meet. I met him at the Motor City Con in 2007. I spoke to him throughout the day, as well as the guy whose table was to Stan's left. Some guy from MAD with a swirly moustache. Also a great guy. Stan appreciates the true fans and treats them as family rather than like they're stalkers. If I'd had money, I would have bought more because his work is great, but times have been tough for awhile.


ANYWAYS, I did a drawing for him as well as Sergio. 2007 marked the 25th Anniversary of Groo so I did a woodblock to commemerate the occasion. I printed 6 copies. One for each member of the "Groo Crew", one for me and one for another crazed Groo fan. GARY!! (He was kind enough to take Tom and Mark's prints to the San Diego Con to give them). Above is a photo of Stan viewing the print I gave him. He told me that he enjoys block printing as well. He also has a Bachelor's in Drawing and still a fan. Some of our conversation really touched me and inspired me to continue what I do. It meant alot and I took a great deal home from that day from both Stan and Sergio (who shared his "fanboy"-ness when he was a kid that I was experiencing in his presence.


Seriously, I couldn't stop shaking and smiling.


I wish I could give Stan more because I don't think he realizes how much he gave me that day.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Lemme clarify...

On my previous post, I titled it "Because NOBODY demanded it...My Sammy Hagar Story". I wrote that because when I start talking about Sammy Hagar, people get bored or have a look on their face like "Oh, GREAT!! Here he goes!" AND I haven't gotten any feedback about this blog, so technically nobody demanded it.
It was not intended to sound bad towards the Red Rocker AT ALL. It was more of a shot at my boringness and others' impatience with me.
Nuff Said.

Because NOBODY demanded it... My Sammy Hagar story



On May 31st, 2002 my wife Melissa, my brother Scott, one of my best friends, and I attended the Sammy Hagar/David Lee Roth concert at the DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan. I have been a huge fan of Sammy Hagar for many years and have been to every concert that's hit Michigan since Van Halen fired him (and three times with Van Halen). With the exception of the VH concerts, I've done artwork for Sammy and his band each time I've seen him. This concert was no exception. At the time of the concert, my fiancee and I were planned to be married and expecting a baby at the end of August. Due to finances, we knew that this would be our last concert for a long time. So, I created a collage drawing for Sammy Hagar of his career. I spent 40 hours on the piece (it was different paper than I'm used to) and I wanted to make sure Sammy got it. In the past I've been able to hand artwork to him during concerts over the heads of front row fans and security. Sometimes I left the artwork for him or his band with a security guard in hopes it would reach the destination, but would be lied to and ignored. I did NOT want this to happen on this occasion. Before I go further, there is a back story that I feel must be said (explain myself better as well as to stroke my ego).

The first tour of Sammy's solo career, my brother Scott, my friend Neal and I got front row seats by dumb, beautiful luck. I did a painting for Sammy and held it up during the show (the background for this page). There were no guards between us and the stage, or even a guard fence. Sammy almost stepped on us when he rushed out on stage! This provided a better chance to give my, for lack of a better word, idol, the painting. He saw the painting a little later and gave me a thumbs up. During a guitar solo by Victor Johnson (great guitarist, great guy), he came over and asked if I wanted the painting signed. My friend, brother and I kept screaming that it was for him and take it. He grabbed it, slapped my hand, shook it, stood up and showed the audience. The next song he sang with it as he rested his arms and legs on top of it! I was in heaven. Later on, at the end of the show, Sammy has fans onstage to sing "Marching to Mars". He had some contest winners up there and pulled some slutty-dressed women from the audience. He walked towards our side of the stage and perused the front row. He scanned and scanned, set his sights on me and PULLED ME UP ONSTAGE to sing on a mic!! My friend Neal got a drumstick from the drummer that he threw to us. It was GREAT!!!
The next time Sammy was in Michigan was in November, 1997 at the Wings Stadium (I think). This time the same crowd went, with four more friends in tow. I did another painting, but this time of Sammy's baby daughter. Click here to view painting. We got up front right away. During the show I held up the painting, but this time guards and guardrails were in the way. Sammy saw the painting numerous times and gave it a thumbs up. We finally asked a guard to put it up onstage where Sammy stood. After awhile Sammy looked down, picked it up and showed the crowd. He started talking about it on the microphone. "Hey man, is this a painting?" He asked. I nodded. He looked at it more. "Is this for me? Man, alright check this out". He showed the audience and continued, "This cat did a painting of me and my daughter Kama. Man I thought you were holding up a f--kin' poster, man!! This is real nice. This is going up in my HOUSE, swear to God. If there's an address or something on the back I'll send ya something. Thanks." And with that he continued the show. It was great. A month later I received a t-shirt, an autographed photo and a note from Sammy that said, "Yo, Jason! Thanks for the painting of me and Kama. Kari just had it framed. It looks GREAT! See you in '98!! Peace, Sammy Hagar". It hangs on my wall with honor.
The next tour I did a bad sloppy painting and took it to the concert. This was in '99. But, I used up my financial aid money for school to go on vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for Sammy's Birthday Bash at the world famous Cabo Wabo Cantina, Sammy's club!! It was beautiful. I went by myself, but took 3 paintings and a drawing. Each night of the 3 concert bash I planned on giving Sammy artwork. I wound up leaving 2 of the paintings in the club's office, which you can see on the interview section of the Sammy Hagar Birthday Bash 1999 video. The other painting I took into the club during a concert to give to Sammy. He wound up signing it and handing back. I'm not complaining. I met his bass player Mona and keyboardist and collaborator Jesse Harms that trip. Mona had actually arranged for me to attend the first of the 3 shows because I was delayed getting to Mexico and told her I'd trade her an autograph for a drawing. The next show I'd done a drawing of her, as well as the rest of the band. I left it at Victor Johnson's feet with a note that said, "Please give to the Waboritas (the band)" After the show Mona was outside with the fans as she did the night before and she thanked me for the artwork. That's when I introduced myself to Jesse Harms. I asked him if he saw the drawing and he hadn't, so he ran up to the office to look at it. He came back and thanked me and signed his own backstage pass and gave it to me. SO, I had Mona sign it too! The drawing I left for the last night, which I ran to get after the show (I stayed around the corner from the Cantina). I came back and couldn't get the drawing to Sammy, but his wife saw it as she was scurried into their vehicle ( the drawing was of him and her).Click here to view the drawing. She saw it and her face lit right up! A security guard was nice enough to put the drawing into the vehicle after Sammy got in. He placed it on their laps and they drove off. Two days later, I returned home to Michigan and 2 days after that, I met my future fiance, Melissa Pendell. That was a great year.
My fiance and I were fortunate enough to meet his band, the Waboritas individually January 8th, 2001 at Kewadin Casinos. I did drawings of each band member and arranged to meet with one of Sammy's people. I wound up leaving the artwork with him before the show and decided to hang out before the show out in the hallway near where I met Sammy's guy. As we waited, Sammy's drummer and longtime friend David Lauser walked up to the room we sat in front of. I introduced myself and told him I did that drawing for him in Cabo. He remembered, signed my tour book and posed for a picture. Little did we know, we were sitting in front of the SECRET entrance for the band!! A few minutes later Vic Johnson the guitarist walked up. As soon as he saw me he knew me, but we'd never met before. He thanked me for the drawing in Mexico and described where he had it hung up and told me he'd send me a picture of it. I told him about the drawing I left inside for him and he ran in and grabbed it. He liked it and posed with it and myself and Melissa. After the show, we ran into Mona and she actually saw me a good 40 yards away and screamed "HEY, JASON!" She thanked for the drawings, signed our stuff, I introduced her to Melissa and she posed for a picture. We also ran into Jesse and he remembered me, signed our stuff and posed for a photo. THEN, he told me to be in the lobby before noon and I might catch Sammy as he's leaving!! Later, Vic told me the same thing!! So, we showed up in the lobby and saw each member of the band come down. We wanted to leave them alone so they could go about their business, but each one came up to us and talked to us!! I thought that was cool! I gave each of them a card and told them anytime they're in Michigan to expect artwork. They went out to the bus and Jesse came back in. As he passed us he told u s Sammy was coming down the elevator and to get ready. We waited and Sammy and his wife Kari came out. It was brief, but I finally met him face to face. He thanked me for taking care of his band and Kari thanked me for the artwork of her and him and Kama. Click here for more photos with Sammy and the Waboritas.
Now, back to where I started.
I arranged with security during the David Lee Roth set to get backstage. They actually worked with me and Sammy's people said it was okay. I took the drawing back and his management were there and LOVED the drawing. His manager went inside to okay with Sammy for me to give it to him and get a picture of him and me with the drawing. He took the drawing inside and I waited. As I waited, Mona came out to talk to me!! She saw the drawing and loved it. I gave her a more recent card and told her about getting married and expecting a baby. She congratulated me and we talked for a little while. Sammy's manager waved me and at the end of the corridor was my man, The Red Rocker Sammy Hagar with a big ol' toothy white grin!! He walked up to me and thanked me for the drawing, shook my hand and told me that it's going up at the Cabo Wabo(The photo above is from this meeting). I told him this would be the last time for awhile I could bring artwork to his concerts, and he stepped back with a surprised and concerned look on his face. "Why, man? What's up? What's wrong?" he asked. I told him that I'm getting married and expecting a baby and everyone in the corridor cheered and shook my hand and congratulated me, as did Sammy. I told him money's tight now and will be for awhile, but I could send him artwork. He seemed okay with that. He got the drawing, looked at it and told me "Man, that's awesome. Thanks." We posed for the photo and said goodbye because he had to get ready for the show. He congratulated me again and later put on a GREAT show, as he always does.

Monday, August 11, 2008

And the Mime Cometh...


More VIETMIME news coming soon....

Ask me about it. Please. Ask. Comment, too.
I need to know who the fans are and if I'm wasting my time here...

Sunday, August 10, 2008

STRONG TO THE FINICH...



The images here are sketches of my comic version of my OTHER lifelong favorite character and inspiration since the age of 6, Popeye the Sailor. I was 3 years old when the Robin Williams movie came out in 1980 and I watch it ANY chance I get!! It still stands as one of my all time favorite flicks!!
Popeye was created by E.C. Segar in 1929 as a bit character in his hit comic strip "Thimble Theater" starring Olive Oyl and her brother Castor since 1923. He stayed on for a couple weeks, and Segar started getting letters from readers that they liked the one-eyed sailor and he kept Popeye in the storylines, eventually changing the name to "Thimble Theater featuring Popeye".
By 1940, E.C. Segar had passed, and Popeye was introduced to a wider scale audience through Fleischer Studios and later Famous Studios in animated features. He was drawn by various artists, but former Segar assistant Bud Sagendorff took over most of the illustrating for the strips, merchandising and anything related to Popeye when he finally became old enough to be hired.
In the 1990s I noticed less and less Popeye. Bud Sagendorff had passed away in the late 1980s (I think 1989) and except for a failed "Popeye and Son" cartoon on Saturday mornings, not alot of public interest surfaced.
In 1999, comic writer Peter David wrote a story for Ocean Comics called "The Wedding of Popeye and Olive Oyl", which made national news.
In 2004, Popeye fans celebrated the 75th anniversary of his appearance in "Thimble Theater". The Empire State building was lit up green in honor of the sailor's eventual source of strength- spinach.
I say eventual because EC Segar did not create the greanleafed vegetable as Popeye's sourse of strength. It was written that a little whiffle hen named Bernice was a wish-giving ol' bird, and Popeye had rubbed her head and wished to be invulnerable (basically). He had been shot over 15 times by a pirate, only to survive. He was already superhumanly strong, and now he was tough to kill. It wasn't until 1934 that Fleischer Studios gave Popeye a can of spinach as a way to overcome his opposition, be it a goon or Bluto (Brutus in the strip, who was also only a bit character. The cartoon made him Bluto and Popeye's constant nemesis. He eventually became more involved in the strip as well). Popeye's use of spinach caused spinach sales to skyrocket 75% (if I remember correctly. It was alot) internationally.
But I digress.
A CGI movie was released, retelling Popeye's journey to find his dad, Poopdeck Pappy. The name was "Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy", and the voice talents of the original Popeye cartoons, the late Jack Mercer (who did the voice from the original cartoons until his death in the 90s) was replaced by the great Billy West, mumbling the graspy tones of both Popeye and Pappy. Unfortunately, the movie fell under most of the public's radar. It was, in my opinion, a fine cartoon and I hope they continue to do more.
In 2007 and 2008 King Features, who owns the rights to all things Popeye, released the black and white Fleischer Studios episodes on DVD in two volumes, bringing at least a little recognition back to one of the true American icons.
I drew these because I feel that Popeye should return, not as more of a "badass", just more like how Segar had written him, with a comic book style. I would love to do a book of Popeye, just a little grittier than, say, the Robin Williams classic.
I must mention that that movie showed a great deal of Segar's original characters and brought together some of his storylines from the strip, including finding Pappy, meeting Olive, and even the boxing match with Oxblood Oxheart! With the exception of the musical interludes, it was a fine homage to the legend of Popeye to me.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I will be at the Art de Vin in Roscommon

The Forest Dunes Golf Course is working with the Enchante Gallery of West Branch to bring Art de Vin, a celebration of Michigan art, wine, hops and harvest on Saturday, Aug. 9th. I have been asked to display and maybe demonstrate at this event. There's more information below:
http://www.forestdunesgolf.com/Art-de-Vin_ea42e235161df0b7af535.html

Chantelle Pereault, the Enchante Gallery owner, has brought together various artists from the area. I was asked because I had my exhibit in her gallery last month. I was the first solo exhibition to show there, as it is a new gallery in West Branch.
I'm looking forward to participating in this event. I always like showing my work, talking about it and drawing or painting. I get a big kick out of it. If you're in the area, stop by. It's rain or shine, so weather isn't an issue.

Monday, July 28, 2008

VIETMIME!! VIETMIME!!



Ok, I started working in a place in my hometown 3 years ago. I stumbled across an old friend working there. His name was, and if I'm correct, still is, Tim Schaiberger. We caught up and found that we both had families of our own and graduated, yada,yada.

A couple months into the job, Tim asked if I would be interested in drawing a graphic novel he had in mind to write about his father who was a medic in Vietnam. My first thought was "M.A.S.H." Different war, same idea, I thought. Being a wise ass, I said, "I kinda has been done. What if you put a mime in Vietnam?" We both froze and stared at each other.

A mime in Vietnam. Haven't heard of that before...

Since then, we have been brainstorming and collaberating and sketching, typing, inking, erasing, emailing like crazy. Because our individual schedules and lives, it's taken FAR longer to finish this project than we'd hoped. But it wasn't a top priority because it wasn't a paying job. Still isn't. But we still wanna finish it, and are VERY close. He and I are co-creators, he is the plotter and scripter and I am the co-scripter, penciler, inker, graphics and anything else art related. We have decided that our collaberative efforts would be named "Nutberger Ink (Nut for Nuttall, Berger for Schaiberger).

We will finish "Vietmime" soon. Very soon. At least the first issue. We figure it would run as a miniseries and put it together as a graphic novel.

It's action, comedy, and drama. It still tells of a medic nicknamed "Bacsi" (Vietnamese for "Little Doctor", or at least that's what Tim tells me) during the Tet Offensive. DISCLAIMER: We are NOT aiming for historical accuracy!! Parts of the story are taken from war tales Tim's dad would tell him before he passed. Most parts are just plain made up to make for a fun read.

If this sounds interesting to you, a story of a mime trapped in Vietnam during the Vietnam war, PLEASE COMMENT!!!! As soon as I have some decent scans of the artwork, I will post them.


Now, some of you might own a copy of the comic I did in college, "M.I.A.: Mime In Action". My instructor wanted me to do an original story, not one already worked on. So, I did the follow up to Vietmime, following the Mime some time after the original story during a new mission. That was written, drawn, inked and lettered by me. Tim was not a part of it, other being co-creator to the Mime. Which is why the story sucks. My writing is not quite as good as my drawing. Above is a page from "VIETMIME" and a flyer I started with our caricature I drew for promotion.
Wish us luck!

Commission Work



As any regular Nuttall Art readers may have noticed, I post alot about artwork for sale. What I don't mention enough is that I am also for hire for commission work. The images above are from the last gig I was hired for. They are oil pastel of grandkids of the woman who hired me. I'm actually very proud of these pieces, as they are the second and third oil pastels I've ever done.
I have also been hired to sketch at parties and do caricatures.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Well, I'll be! The truth IS out there!!!




Well, it's been explained concerning the two Sergio awards. Mr. Stan Sakai wrote me back with this:





There were, technically, two Sergios. The older one,was never cast as it was much too complicated--that isthe one with the computer, pen, etc. It had t be castin six parts then attached. The newer one, given toStan Lee, is the official one--simpler, cleaner, witha great design. It is also much easier to cast. s

The image on the far left is the one Stan Lee received, and is the current one. Both, however, share a certain resemblance to a certain artist with the same name.

So, you can all rest easy now.
Thank you again, Mr. Sakai.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

I DID Err!!!


The great Stan Sakai sent me a link to a photo of himself, Sergio Aragones and Stan Lee the night Mr. Lee received "The Sergio" award

1n 2007. Here is a link to Mr. Sakai's post on his blog:

http://usagiguy.livejournal.com/13699.html

This photo shows a different statue than the one I previously posted. I'm trying to find out why....

Monday, July 21, 2008

A correction (thank you Usagiguy)



I was notified by a reader (THANK YOU) that the award that bears Sergio Aragones' image is called "The Sergio". This award banquet was created by the members of CAPS (Comic Art Professional Society) to honor writers, artists, performers, etc who have impacted the comic industry. The award given was named after the co-founder of CAPS, Sergio Aragones. He was the second honoree to receive this statue, after Jack Davis in 2006.

CAPS was formed in 1977 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier and Don Rico. It was formed as a group of common interest people to socialize and share in information and updates. Some of the current members, along Aragones and Evanier, are comic greats Stan Sakai, Matt Groening, Tom Luth and Stan Lee, to name a very few of very many.

For the full, ACCURATE story of how the statue of "the Sergio" was designed by THE Sergio, and switched designs behind his back, click here.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Did I Err?? No...




I gotta post this. It's tugging at me.


I'm working on a book about the experiences I've had through my artwork, so the stories told here will be brief so if I DO finish the book, people will still buy it. However, I gotta show these pics and write about 'em.


One of the large parts of the book will be about the man above, Mr. Sergio Aragones.


Sergio began drawing for MAD Magazine in 1963 (if that's incorrect I'll fix later) up until now, missing only one issue as fault of the post office. He is a widely recognized cartoonist, receiving countless awards and portrayed in one award (I'll add the name of the award later).


How I was introduced by the great Aragones was flipping through comics of my cousins and brothers. At the age of 7, I picked up my first intro to Sergio Aragones' GROO THE WANDERER, and I haven't stopped flipping. It is about a mindless wandering barbarian who is quick with his swords and slow of mind. He tries to fight for good, but in fact he just tries to fight. I began drawing the gourd-nosed warrior instantly, and playing Groo (nobody knew what I was doing, so I played with trees. Really, I played Groo with trees as playmates). I learned how to read in part from Groo (and comics in general, a credit comic books don't get. They help to learn kids to read). I also learned of the legend of Groo through the writings of the Groo writer, Mark Evanier. He would tell stories in the letters page of how kind and how crazy FAST Sergio can draw. Many fans and friends speak highly of how fast Sergio can think and draw. I became fascinated by this fact and tried my hardest to learn to draw fast, just like my hero (did I just say HERO??). I will stop here in my brief history lesson and explain the photos above.

In 2007 the fans of GROO celebrated the 25th anniversary of GROO. The "Groo Crew" (which consists of Sergio Aragones( creator, plotter, artist), Mark Evanier (writer), Stan Sakai (letterer, creator of Usagi Yojimbo), and Tom Luth (colorist)) released a 25th anniversary book, after 4 years of a Groo-less world. Also in 2007 came a new miniseries, Groo: Hell On Earth. It also marked the return of Sergio to the Michigan based comic convention, the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan. Also attending was comic great Stan Sakai, letterer of Groo since 1982 and most notably the creator of Usagi Yojimbo. These two comic powerhouses are good friends and colleagues and were seated next to each other at the Motor City Con.

After almost 25 years of writing to the GROO GRAMS (the letters page for Groo to the creators), doodling Groo on any paper in front of me, and dreaming of meeting my idol, I finally came face to face with one of the men responsible for my becoming an artist. With me I brought a drawing I did for Sergio, two block prints for him, a copy of my comic M.I.A.: Mime In Action, a few things to get signed, and photos. One of the photos is shown in the photo above of a papier mache sculpture I did of Sergio and Groo. He seemed genuinely impressed and flattered. I also showed pics of each of my kids dressed as Groo for their first Halloweens. Unfortunately for them, they were all either one month old or one WEEK old when we dressed them. I also showed him my Groo sculpture I did 7 years ago, and he loved it, and told me "You know, I sculpt too! I sculpted this piece here", he told me as he pointed to a bust of Groo and his dog Rufferto. I had thought for years that someone else had done that, I told him, and was very impressed that it was he who did it.

I also bugged the hell out of Stan Sakai, another one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I will post that meeting soon, but right now my hands are cramping and my wife is glaring at me about being at the computer too long, so keep checking in for more pics, more stories about these two men called Sergio and Sten...er, I mean STAN (started rhyming. Sorry!) and my historical day with them!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Rock &Roll


It's been a long time

Since I...
...well...
...posted a drawing that's up for sale on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160263012383
I did this drawing of the great ROBERT PLANT, formerly of Led Zeppelin, currently touring with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss. I am a HUGE Plant fan, from Zeppelin, from The Honeydrippers, and from is solo career. He just has a great voice and presence that I had to draw him. This piece is a charcoal drawing. I'm putting it up for Ebay and might have prints available eventually. PLEASE comment and let me know what you think, and let other Zep fans know of it.

Duke Art


Alright, pilgrims.

I am putting up one of my older and one of my favorite drawings up on Ebay, my John Wayne charcoal drawing from one of my favorite movies, "The Shootist". http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160262939364


This movie was John Wayne's last film. He found out in the early 70's that he had cancer. He beat it and did some movies, but either before or during the making of "The Shootist", the cancer returned. The film is about an aging gunslinger, or shootist, who finds out that he has cancer and doesn't have long to live. He chooses to stay in a small town that seems to have some old enemies in residence. The doctor who confirmed his illness, played by Jimmy Stewart, tells John Wayne (I'm paraphrasing here), "If I were you, and this is just me, I would not die the death I just described."

I thought it was a fantastic film and a perfect finale for John Wayne. This drawing is a personal favorite to me, and I hate to let it go, but I gotta do what I gotta do to keep the lights on.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I now have a store

I think I just opened an Ebay store to sell artwork and prints/posters. Here's the link. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, so bear with me!
http://stores.ebay.com/Nuttall-Art

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Floatin' on a Bubble...


As posted before, I had the great chance to meet rock legend Joe Walsh of the James Gang, The Eagles and a very successful solo career. In 2000 I did the drawing above for Joe Walsh and took it to the Common Ground Festival. I was not allowed to take the drawing into the show, so I had to take it back to my car. As I turned away, discouraged, one of the guards asked to see the drawing. I showed it to him and he was floored! He told me that he was going to talk to his boss about getting me and the drawing backstage to Joe's management, at least, and to meet him in a couple hours (this was before 1pm and the show started at 8pm). When I met up with him later, he said his boss told him to blow me off and tell me he'd take it for me. The guard loved the drawing and really wanted to see me get the artwork to Joe. Throughout the day we met a few times, only to tell me to meet him later.
One of our last meetings he told me that he would have to escort me to my car to get the drawing, escort me back in and lead me to the guard rail in beside the stage. He said this would have to take place AFTER the show.
Well, the show started, Joe kicked ASS and I waited where I was supposed to. And I waited. And waited. I thought he blew me off, when all of a sudden I heard "Let's GO Jason!!! FOLLOW ME!!!" He ran past me and waved me along. I chased after him and we ran to the car. Across the street, I lost my new prescription sunglasses in traffic (and all my oxygen. I was out of shape!!!). We grabbed the drawing and ran back. We got to the guard rail and he went back to talk to some other guards. He came back and told me to wait cuz Joe's manager wanted to meet me and see the drawing. While I waited, other fans stood by me as guards told them "Sorry. Joe already left. Time to go", and I snickered. The guard came back with a larger man (than me, at least) and walked off with a thumbs up to me and a smile. The bear of a man introduced himself as Smokey Wendell and asked to see the drawing. I showed him and his eyes glazed over. He said he hadn't expected that kind of quality and started pointing out the different images.
"Hey, that's from the '80 tour. This one's from '92 and that's the '81 tour!" Smokey said. He told me that Joe gets alot of gifts and that there's a chance that this piece might end up leaning against a pile of pictures against a wall in Joe's house. I told him that as long as Joe gets it and likes it. If not, I would be okay with an autograph, as Smokey mentioned might be better.
He took the drawing to Joe to get the okay. I came back and fans were still trying to get a glimpse of Joe with security pushing them out telling them he already left.
Smokey came back without the drawing and told me to follow him. We went back behind Joe's bus and there stood Joe, talking to somebody. I walked up and waited and he turned and smiled.
"Hi. You did that drawing?" Joe Walsh asked.
"Yeah. I'm Jason Nuttall", I whimpered out.
"You know, usually I'm not into this kind of thing, but I'm really flattered. Thanks."
"You're very welcome. Could I get a photo?"
"Yeah, sure. We'll get two".
After the photos, I asked him to sign a couple things, shook hands and Smokey led me away. He told me that he wanted me to take the drawing because they had nowhere on the bus to carry it. Smokey gave me an address to send the drawing to, though and he'd pick it up after the tour.
It was a great experience and Joe was very kind and warm to this geeky lil fan.

PAINT IT RED

(the poster above is labeled wrong. The title "Long Road to RED" should be "Paint It Red")
When I have ample time, I will tell the tale of a Red Rocker named Sammy Hagar. Until then, here's a collage I put together of around half the artwork Sammy has in his possession. I call it "Paint It Red", from the Hagar song "Red":

"RED!

RED!

Paint it Red

Green ain't mean compared to Red!!"

FYI there is ONE image on the collage that Sammy does not have, and that's the large woodblock print (b&W) in the center. Someday, I hope...


11x17 is $12,

18x24 is $20

I'm putting one up on Ebay.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Juggling act

(The picture above is by five year old Rebecca. It's a family portrait with left to right: Rebecca, Logan, Mommy and Michael on her MagnaDoodle)
As some of you may know, I am not only an artist but a husband and father of 3 children ages 5, 3 and 1 yr old. My wife, Melissa, is an artist as well, a ceramicist to be specific.

I have been drawing since I was 7 years old and have been on the road to being a professional artist ever since. I had figured that I would probably be alone most of my life, so living the life of an artist would only affect me. To be an artist is to give up alot to practice your craft. The term "starving artist" came from somewhere, didn't it? So after high school, I started art classes at Kirtland Community College, not looking to get any type of degree. My goal was to get better at what I do, while taking a class here and there and MAYBE I would earn a degree along the way. Well, after 4 years of drawing, painting, photography and the occasional english or math class, my financial aid ran out. But not before sneaking off to Cabo San Lucas in 1999 for a week. While there, I visited the Cabo Wabo Cantina daily, with paper and pencil in my clutches. I also brought artwork for Sammy Hagar, who owns and frequents the Cantina. I felt so much appreciation for my abilities while there. If I was drawing, people would stop and stare and ask questions and seemed genuinely interested in my artwork. It was an exhilirating experience. I also think of the trip as a sabatical (did I spell that right?).

When I returned to school the following week, I met a new instructor by the name of Melissa. She taught a college course to 8th graders and was using the photo lab I worked in. This was in October. In December we were seeing each other. In 2002 we married and had our first child, Rebecca in September.

And that's when things got complicated.

Since then, I've left one job after 9 years, started back to college, had two more children, started another job and tried to continue my art career. The jobs I've had were non-art related. The year after our daughter was born, I decided to go back to college (my financial aid at Kirtland ran out in 2000 and I left) and the day I signed up for classes at SVSU my wife lost part of her job that would have kept us supported well enough. When I tried to return to my job of nine years, I found that while I was off to college, they had "terminated" me and I was unemployed for over a year. My only source of income was my job at school as lab attendant.

My schedule from 2003-2007 as a full time art student and part-time husband/father consisted of Mon-thurs on the road by 7am and leaving classes at 10pm with a one hour drive home. Throughout the night, the baby (or kids as it came to be every two years) would wake us up. Friday through Sunday would be filled with Melissa teaching on Friday and me working those three nights (I got a minimum wage job in 2005). The only time I had for my art was at school for classes, which wasn't always the most fulfilling since the work was to satisfy instructors and not me.

Once a year, and sometimes twice, I would get a commission job, where someone paid me to do a portrait. When this happened, I would have to wait until the kids were settled enough so that Melissa wouldn't need help with them and I would lock myself in the bathroom in our apartment and draw or paint. If someone needed the bathroom, specifically our potty training toddlers, I would have to rush around to hide and cover my supplies so they wouldn't get into them, unlock the door and let them in and wait until they were done. By that point, they wanted to play with daddy so I would give up my quest to create. We moved into a house with a basement in 2006 before our third kid, Logan was born. Same situation, but harder. I have to basically abandon my family to work on my artwork. I've been doing it since I started my family, pushing myself away so I can continue down the path that I started on 23 years ago. Whether it was going to college for my Bachelor of Fine Arts for four years ( I graduated in 2007) four days a week and leaving before they awoke and coming home after they're in bed, or being lucky enough to get hired for a portrait and hiding in the basement so they don't know I'm in the house. As it is, I am currently working on a commission piece. It stands on my easel in the basement and has been for 3 months. In three months I've put roughly 12 hours into the project. I might work an hour and hear a blood curdling scream or Melissa calling for me and I have to stop, climb the stairs, fix whatever problem's come up and most of the time I don't get back to the work.

As a practicing artist, one has to be selfish. They have to surround themselves with creative environments and leave their schedules open for things like exhibits, meetings, art competitions, and just be able to work. As a father, I can't be selfish. I have to do everything I can to keep the kids and my wife happy, or at least healthy. Artwork, especially in my area, does not sell well. I may have an exhibit or have an article in the paper, but I am not making the money needed to support a family of five. It's a constant struggle to justify continuing as a professional artist, because it isn't paying off. I never wanted to think of it that way, that this painting might sell better than this, or maybe I should push my project aside to do something more popular that might sell. But, if I don't make money on the artwork , I can't abandon my familyupstairs to do it. Even if it's for money, working on a project is complicated. My wife constantly rolls her eyes when I say the words "I gotta work downstairs" or mention that someone asked me to demonstrate at an event. As an artist, she knows the pull of the craft, but her responsibilities as a mother take center stage. And I try to do the same, but at the same time, I'm trying to build a reputation and a career on something that doesn't sell well, so I have to work jobs that take up alot of my time from both my art and my family. If there's a day off, I don't work on drawing, but rather take the kids out to play or stay with them so mommy gets out for once.

Right now, the job situation isn't an issue, because I quit the job that didn't allow for a raise or promotion. I was trying to support a family of five on minimum wage for 15 hours a week. And I was being lied to and lied about. My wife and I are traveling 65 miles one way to teach classes four days a week at the Midland Center for the Arts for two weeks, and she's teaching once a week in Saginaw for 3 weeks. Right now, being an artist/husband/father is very stressful and complicated. I cannot travel to different areas for art competitions or exhibits because it's a selfish thing to do to leave my wife with three screaming kids while I do what I enjoy. I will never make it back to Cabo unless the kids are old enough that my wife and I can both go or all five of us can go, but it won't be the same sebatical as before. I can't move to a larger, richer area because I have to uproot my entire family and take them with me.

I am currently selling what I can on Ebay for as low a price as possible just so I can make something from my art career. To pay my bills and get diapers.

I am very proud of my accomplishments as an artist. I have met my heroes, exhibited solo 3 times and multiple times in group exhibits, been in newspapers and radio, and am occasionally recognized as "the guy that draws Sammy Hagar". I graduated from college while raising a family of five (saying it like that sounds like it was just me. I became a weekend dad, and even then I wasn't around alot. Melissa raises the kids. I just paid for the diapers. Sometimes).

I am also very proud of my family. My oldest is starting first grade in September and draws FANTASTICALLY!!! She's very smart and fun and beautiful. My son (3) starts preschool in September, has the best comedic timing I have ever seen, is also very smart, very creative, and handsome and affectionate. Our one year old is just as smart as the older ones, if not smarter (at his age), he's strong and has a great sense of humor and adorable. Melissa is a great mom and great artist who doesn't get recognized as an artist often enough.

When I started drawing portraits for girls in junior high, I never imagined that I would eventually have a great family and fine artistic reputation while still not able to pay for toilet paper or a decent wedding anniversary. I would like to think that things will get better and that this time in our life is going to make us stronger, but I thought that last year, and the year before that. I am working on focusing my time on my art career since I have alot of spare time where a job used to be. I hope that this blog is an integral part of my success, as well as an entertaining and/or inspirational read for its readers.

A few days ago I posted about seeing Sammy Hagar in concert. He has been a great inspiration to me and my path. He is a strong, successful artist who has a family and powerful career. He started out on hard times. During his show, he talked about following your dreams. He said that he gets inspired by those who struggle through the hard times, to see through the fog and have a clear vision of what they want. In the end, it's the dreams that you strive for that force you through the tough times. It's the strong dreamers who grasp the grail. Reach for the stars and don't let anything get in your way. It all sounds cliche, but it's something that I really took to heart and realized that through this music and his life, I've seen that inspiration, even before I got married, and am following my dreams. I have achieved some of my goals due to my perserverence. Alot of people, family members included, have told me I should just put the art career to the side and get a real job. They want me to give up. Too many artists give up and get into other careers, other ventures. Screw that. I've worked hard to accomplish what I have and I told myself years ago that I will NOT give it up. I want to show those who question my decisions that I can do this. I refuse to give in. My only concern is that my family will suffer because of my stubborness, but I'm also doing it for them. I don't want my kids to look back and find out that I used to draw and paint but don't do that anymore. I want them to be proud of their parents.
In the end, I hope that my children see what I see and know that I tried.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The link below is to the drawing I currently have up for sale on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160260241979

Now remember, this is the ORIGINAL drawing, not a print of one. I do have more prints for sale, one of which of the montage I displayed here before.

I will be on Ebay regularly trying to sell prints, artwork, etc.
You see, I recently quit my job due to lack of hours and respect. I was only getting 15hours of work at minimum wage with no hope of raise or promotion (promotion does not entail pay raise there. Just means more responsibility and blame on your shoulders at minimum wage). I was being lied to by the "new management" and lied about. So, I left. Now, I'm teaching for 2 weeks in Midland, and one week in August at Kirtland, and another two weeks at the end of August at Midland again.
I just need to fill the gaps financially by selling artwork. Diapers are low, all three kids wanna eat EVERY DAMN DAY, and bills are overdue. I will post shortly on the life and times of a struggling artist and father.
For now, spread the word about teh Ebay items, please and remember that I am also for hire for commission work if you don't like the musicians I already drew/painted. I take requests.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

How I spent my NIGHT...


After Melissa's class, we decided poverty be DAMNED and trekked on down to Lansing to the Common Ground Festival to see the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas!!!!!! We didn't have the money for tix, so we decided to just watch from outside the fences. But THEN, some guy comes up and gives us 2 FREE tickets into the show!!!! We scurried inside and found that we could sneak up to the front, or at least near the front. Melissa snapped this AWESOME shot!
We can't afford to go to Midland tomorrow, but we got a free concert!!!

How I spent my afternoon....


After teaching my Drawing FUNdamentals class to kids ages 7-12 at the Midland Center for the Arts, I drew this charcoal of Sammy Hagar while I waited for my wife to finish her Ceramic FUNdamentals class. Just a quickie drawing. If you likey, e-mail me and we'll talk. I also take requests and always available for commission work!!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Myspace pics

I have a bunch of pics of art and family available on my Myspace page. Here's the link: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=66500111

Behind Blue Eyes


In the spirit of VH1's Rock Honors of The Who this month, I decided to post a photo of my Pete Townsend charcoal drawing I did in 2000.


Ya see, I had the fantastic opportunity to give a drawing to the great Joe Walsh (of the Eagles, solo and James Gang, as well as playing Ed on the Drew Carey Show). He was performing at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan and I did a drawing for him. After the show, a security guard worked some magic and got me a little meeting with Walsh's manager, Smokey Wendell. He loved the drawing, took it to Joe Walsh and they said I could meet him. It was great! I'll get into more detail in a later post about that WHOLE scenario...


After meeting Joe, Smokey pulled me aside and asked if I had any artwork of Pete Townsend, because Pete was going to be visiting Joe's house in a month and he thought it would be cool if he was given a drawing. I did not have one, however, but within the week I kicked this charcoal drawing out, but soon lost my wallet with Smokey's contact info!!!


Eight years later, I got it framed I displayed it publicly for the first time at my exhibit at the Enchante Gallery (which ended June 27th).


If you are interested in this drawing, please either leave a comment or email me. I'm thinking of putting it on Ebay, so act quickly.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Shameless plugs




I put some more prints on Ebay if you or someone you know likes ZZ Top or BB King and Eric Clapton. The links are below. Spread the word!!!




ZZ Top




Riding with the King Tribute (King and Clapton)






Bid now before someone else hikes the prices up!!!!

Afraid of Hindi


Well, I KNOW that my devoted readers (that's YOU, Amy) have been holding your breath, just waiting for my next post. Well, I took a day off be-cau-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-use...

... I was typing in Hindi. I don't know how it happened, but everything I typed here converted to Hindi. Apparently I fixed it, but I was a little afraid to post for fear of not understanding what I had typed.

ANYWAY, here's a pic of the painting I did of my handsome lil nippers Mikey (3 1/2 yrs old) and Logan (1 1/2 years old). It's the most recent painting I've done. It's not quite as detailed as my usual work, but hell, don't they look cute???? And the photo isn't the best but I was anxious to share it. It was in my show at Enchante.
PLEASE let me know what you think!!!