Update

I've been away for a bit. I've been teaching at the Midland Center For The Arts (where I'm scheduled to teach again in October if you have kids in the Midland area interested in drawing cartoons) and my internet is currently out at home, so I'm not online much anymore.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENT:
I know it's not common for people to write about applying for a job, but this is a job I've dreamt of my entire life and never imagined I'd get the opportunity to try out for it. Having said that, I have sent in example artwork in hopes to get the gig of artist for the upcoming POPEYE comic book being published by IDW Publishing next year! I didn't know they were even looking for the creative team, until a friend (who shall remain nameless to protect his innocence)wrote me that he thought I should give it a try and contact the editors. Let's just say that having this friend recommend that I try fot the gig is such a huge compliment and honor that if I don't get the job, I'll have the gratification that this man thought enough about me that he thought of me.
I sent the examples in (although the photography of the examples were crappy, and it may reflect poorly on me) 2 weeks ago and was written that I'll hear from the editor if they hear anything.
So, if you know the editors I'm referring to, maybe you can subtly suggest me?

Kickstopper

The Kickstarter project was a no-go. Not enough funds were pledged to reach the goal. The HEROES series is halted right now and the future of the studio is not looking good. Right now, I have to decide if I want to split any money I'm making between back rent on the studio and bills at home, cutting both short, or focus the money on bills at home. With the Kickstarter project, I'd have used the funds from that solely on the projects and the studio, while using money earned teaching at the Midland Center For The Arts on bills. I know this is the way of the artist. I knew this when I devoted my life to it and to family. I'd hoped it would have gotten better by now, even just a little. I'm not one to give up. Not so much because I'm so darn positive; I'm too damn stubborn.
I would love to try Kickstarter again, but the minimum time frame to raise funds is one month, which would take me into the end of August. I need it now, though. Plus, you have no idea how painful and gut-wrenching it is for me to bug people constantly to give me money. That's not how I want to make a living. It drains the spirit. That's why I tried to make it worth backers' whiles by giving EVERY backer artwork if the project was successful. I want to EARN money, not ask for handouts.

What Have I been DOING??

Hey, there cats 'n' kittens!
It's been awhile since I updated, but there are a few things in the fire right now.
First off, I won't be in the studio much because my wife and I are teaching at the Midland Center For The Arts Summer Art Camp just about every week this summer. Also, we're moving into a new place.
Secondly, I've been working with Anne Clayton, the OHHS art teacher, in building the "Youth Art Battle" for Downtown West Branch's "Fabulous Fridays" event "Art In The Street". Ages 6-17 create a piece of artwork in a 3 hour time period and the passers-by vote on whose work they like the most (it's broken up into 4 age groups) and the winners from each age group get prizes that local businesses and individuals have donated. And it's all free.
I've organized with the West Branch Library to have a "POPEYE" Day at the library on Thursday, July 7th as part of the West Branch Film Festival (formerly West Branch Children's Film Festival). The movie "POPEYE" will be shown for free in the library and I'll have my Popeye art series on display. I'll also be doing free Popeye sketches for anyone who attends.
I think that's all for now.

I'm back, but then, I never left...

I know I haven't blogged alot lately, and it's (1) because I've been teaching off and on and (2) not much has gone on lately. I have one more week of teaching this summer at the Midland Center For The Arts. I taught last week during the C.O.O.R. MEAP summer camp thing at Kirtland Community College. I was the Photography instructor. Usually my wife teaches it with me, but she was in Midland teaching Ceramics. So I was solo, with help from a couple other instructors who admitted they were photography-blind.
This was the last year for this MEAP program due to budget cuts. I've taught every year for the last 9 years. It's a shame, because I get parents come up and tell me their kid was in my class and now he/she's taking photography in high school or college. And every instructor in the program has similar stories. It's one week that the kids and their parents tend to remember for a long time. And in the case of kids in my class, it's been a positive memory for them. Some kids had siblings in the class and ask me if I remember them. HA!! "I don't even remember YOUR name, and you're wearing a name tag for the class!" was my recurring comment this year. You see, the reason both my wife and I taught was because every year, we have up to 35 students in the class. The average has been about 29 for 9 years, so I've taught roughly 261 students, and it's one week out of the Summer. I can't remember last YEAR'S class, much less 3 or 8 years ago! The sad thing is, most of the years, we would have run-ins with kids, parents or instructors that would sour our interest in teaching the next year, but these past 2 years have been the best kid-wise and all around feel-wise. And now it's over.

Lansing will turn RED

Sorry about the extended absence, by I've been REALLY boring lately.
So, Sammy Hagar and the Wabos are going to be appearing at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan next Wednesday, so I'm busting my tuchus (yiddish, but I don't know how to spell it, for buttocks) trying to get artwork done for the show. I always feel good when I work on artwork of Sammy. I don't know why. I think it's the connection to the music and the personal connection of him appreciating the art and the fan who made it, namely me. His band, the Waboritas (Mona, Vic Johnson and David Lauser) are awesome on stage and in person.
That's the only real news going right now. I'm plugging away in the studio and teaching at the Midland Center for the Arts, so I've been busy.

Hiatus

I won't be online as much in the next few days or weeks, really. My wife and I are teaching at a Summer Art Camp at the Midland Center For The Arts in Midland. The classes run one week or two weeks (at least for me)and they're back to back. This week I teach thru Thursday and next week I think I teach the same. I also won't be in the studio much. I have projects that HAVE to be done by the end of the month, so I'll probably try to get in in the evenings and weekends.
We'll be teaching thru August, and the class are sporadic. Melissa's classes run 3 weeks and mine change from week to week ( I don't even know what I'm teaching TODAY!!!). Feel free to check here often anyway, tell others about the blog, and also e-mail me if you have any questions- jasonnuttall@yahoo.com

Video Update for the Spring/Summer

Thought I'd let all of you view my chiseled handsomeness and listen to my angelic voice update you all on what I'm up to

Movie of Jason the Artist (?)

SO, I've been want to do a documentary of my life as an artist. The work I do, my inspirations, the events I display at or participate in to get my abilities seen, and the struggles involved in trying to make a career and living while raising a family in a small town. I hope to be a part of the new Traverse City comic convention, the Cherry Capital Con ( www.cherrycapitalcon.com ) and the group I've put together, the West Branch Artist Pool, is going to have an exhibit at Kirtland Community College. So, I need to get new work done for those events, plus work my gig at Olan Mills, teach at Kirtland and the Midland Center For The Arts, finish VIETMIME and keep my kids alive. No small task, the lil daredevils.
BUT, the person I have to film and edit the documentary is concerned that my story is too all over the place and asks what my focus is and doesn't want to start until I figure it out. I thought we'd film different events, different days and interview people who know me or know of my work and see what we have. I don't know. It's starting to feel like thismight not happen. The process of getting the film started is a great example of what I'd want in the film. Trying to do something, only to see it fall apart. Any ideas?

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!!!