Tuesday, September 29, 2009

NUTTALL ART OCTOBER DEAL

I will start a new deal: graphite or charcoal drawing of one person for only $50!!! Any additional person in the portrait is an additional $15 each. If you live outside of West Branch, s/h will be added to the price. Contact me if interested. Great gift for Christmas. This doesn't apply to anyone I've already talked to before Monday about artwork. Even if you aren't interested, maybe you know somebody who is. Come on, it's $50 for original artwork, roughly 9x12-18x24. Fantastic deal. If you want an oil painting or oil pastel drawing, the regular price applies. I have a family to feed, people!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Tooning it up in West Branch

I was asked to do caricatures/portraits at the St. Joseph Elementary School festival/fair today from 12-5. I said yes, because I like to be a show-off. I'm charging more than usual but only because part of the money goes towards St. Joe's. It's $15 for a caricature and $25 for a quickie portrait, most likely charcoal. If you're in the area stop on by. Or just send your money.

Music video premiere: Uncle Kracker's 'Smile' filmed in Michigan | Detroit Entertainment - - MLive.c

Thanks to Barry Stutesman of Michigan Magazine for adding this link about Uncle Kracker's newest video. I'm not so much an Uncle Kracker fan (I don't know his music enough to judge), but I GREATLY appreciate the fact that he filmed his video in Michigan in his hometown of Mt. Clemens and also a little bit in Hale, not far from West Branch and around the corner from my uncle's cabin.
Music video premiere: Uncle Kracker's 'Smile' filmed in Michigan Detroit Entertainment - - MLive.c

Friday, September 25, 2009

And now for something completely different...


I will have to ease up on these babies, as my doctor told me this morning I have type 2 diabetes.
I went in for kidney stones....

Monday, September 21, 2009

New updates

Here's an update:
Alot of brainstorming for the documentary. Hit a few walls in getting gallery attention, but that's nothing new. I don't have any new projects so there's no money coming in. Right now I've got a recurring ailment that's kicking my butt. I started on a Jack Nicholson drawing. It's a more detailed rendering, like the old days. I've gotten into a bit of a lull of drawing or painting quickly to get things done for events or keep prices down for clients. I've come to miss the articulate photo rendering that I've prided myself on.
Once I get some money around, I will be entering the Art de Combat 3 at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, October 17th from 4-7pm. $20 at the door to get in, but you get to vote, drink and eat all you want.
I'm planning on doing a series of Popeye drawings and paintings, as well as Nicholson.
The West Branch Artist Pool exhibit will be up until October 15th at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon. The reception went well. Alot of positive feedback.
I think that's all for now. Chest pains are kicking in.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Is this blog on?? hello?

If you read my blog, please write me so I know I'm not cramping my hands typing for nothing...
jasonnuttall@yahoo.com

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hoping they fall FAR from the tree in the jeenyus department

My kids are becoming great little artists! My youngest is turning 3 next month and he's already drawing faces. My oldest is very talented in art and in sports, and is smart as a whip. My oldest boy (the middle one, 5 next month) has the best comedic timing I've ever seen for a kid under 10 years old, and his drawing has been improving considering he has his dad's attention span.
Hope become doctors. With art as a side thing, so they can support their lame artist dad.....

The incessant ramblings of a simple minded schmo

I know it's just me whining, but what the hell. It's my blog.
Does anyone realize just how hard it is to follow a dream? How hard it is to put important things aside to reach one's goal? I got kicked in the nuts by reality yet again today as my daughter's birthday was to be celebrated and I was trying to sell artwork to get money for a gift. I am unemployed and one reason is because I can't get hired by anyone. Another reason is that if I have a job, how will that affect my working as an artist? And that's it right there. I've worked my whole life (though a short life, I realize) trying to make it as an artist or be discovered, to no avail. I am too stubborn to move because I have this ridiculous notion that if I keep working at it, I WILL become a successful artist out of a small town. I keep referring to the "Ralph Cramden" syndrome, where I get these hair-brained ideas of how to succeed or make money, with a wife behind me rolling her eyes, with just cause. She has seen the ups and downs of my experiences and has grown weary of the downs. The ups justify the downs, I say, but usually only for a brief while. I have become a bit of a star chaser, in that if I catch wind of celebrity, I whip up something to try and grab their attention, in hopes of making a connection or being discovered. This isn't ALWAYS the case. Alot of times I am genuinely inspired by someone and wish to convey my appreciation of what they do or have done. My way to show appreciation is through my artwork.
One of the things which drive me in my pursuit of this career in art is inspiration. I FEEL inspired just thinking of the fact that I have met some of the great men who have inspired me in life. Through my artwork I have met the man who inspired me to draw as a child. Through my artwork I have spoken eye to eye with the man who continues to create music that lifts my spirits and has since junior high. How can someone not feel good when hearing that?
Another thing that pushes me to continue is the same thing I fear. I don't want to let my kids down. I don't want to tell them to never give up and reach for their stars when I, myself have given up. That is why I won't give up. I need to be strong for them. I need to prove to them now and in the future that what daddy is working for is what he loves. But at the same time, to be an artist in this day and age is to struggle and compete and live with failure in hopes that success will be found. The emotional battle that is to be embarked on takes its toll on a person, when the purpose of their livelihood is to capture another's attention with something they created and make a living off of that slim chance that other person's interest is piqued enough to invest in something as unimportant to everyday life as a portrait.
And why am I trying to do a documentary of myself and my "career"? Because every so often, someone tells me that they are inspired by my stories of meeting the man who got me into drawing or the musicians who burn their songs into my mind. Somebody who doesn't know better says my children must be proud of me. For me, the drive is the inspirations which lead to the drawing board. I have seen various documentaries that have inspired me to want to tell my story. I recently met a woman who is building my need to meet my final inspiration, the last man on my "If I could meet anyone, who would it be?" list. It builds inside, then something pulls the pillars away and teeters my motivation.
That's about all for now. Just needed to vent.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

JUST ANNOUNCED

I have confirmed that the West Branch Artist Pool Exhibit reception at Kirtland Community College is set for Wednesday, September 16 from 6-8pm at the KCC Art Gallery. I will be one of the exhibitors, as well as other members of the Pool. Joe Donna, the curator, asked if we, the Pool, would be interested in having this be an annual exhibit same time every year. I think that's great for those who couldn't show this time or new artists to the Pool.
The show will be up by Thursday, Sept. 10 and will be up until the end of September.

Facebook | My Photos - Wall Photos

This is my design for the West Branch Artist Pool exhibit poster:
Facebook My Photos - Wall Photos

Facebook | My Photos - Wall Photos

This is my design for the West Branch Artist Pool exhibit poster:
Facebook My Photos - Wall Photos