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

Ladies and Gentlemen, Hoboes and Tramps, cross-eyed mosquitoes and bow-legged ants...

Where to begin??? I have alot happening in the next few months- Blast The Blues, the Nuttall Art Studio Opening May 8th from 4-6 (with a raffle of artwork), Motor City Comic Con to see Sergio and Stan Sakai again, teaching at the Midland Center for the Arts, but something came up this morning that got my blood pumpin': SAMMY HAGAR and the WABOS at Common Ground Festival in July!!! It's a great event, and a great line-up every year, and the Red Rocker being in the mix is a Can't Miss!!! My hands are shakin' and my mind is racin'! "Should I do some drawings/paintings for the band?" "What should I do?" "Should I try to meet them again, and if so, HOW?"
As I'd mentioned in previous posts, the last time Sammy was at Common Ground, Melissa and I raced from teaching in Midland to East Lansing at the last second (we got out of teaching at 4 and the show started at 6 or 7). We only had enough money for gas for the next day to get to work, so we wouldn't be able to get tix into the show, but it's an outdoor event and we could listen to the show, at least. Melissa convinced me we should go, so we went. We got there a little bit before the Wabos hit the stage. A guy was trying to sell his ticket but we told him we had no money and I told him my story about Sammy. He moved on to sell his ticket, but turned around and just GAVE it to us! "You deserve this more than anyone." Perfect example of a true Redhead. Only problem was, 1 ticket, 2 people. So, we just decided to watch from the side because we didn't want to separate. In a few minutes, somebody went around and was GIVING tickets out for free!! HALLELUJAH!! So, I gave our ticket to someone sitting outside of the fenced and took our 2 tickets and went inside!
So, anyway, the whole experience, including his story about the re-vamped "Dreams" song, inspired me greatly, to tears even. I've held his words close to heart, and the decisions I've made in the last 2 years have been greatly influenced by Sammy Hagar (so I have HIM to blame for any fallout!).

Rock and roll!

The image to the left is from 2003. The little arm is my daughter Rebecca at 1 year old. This painting sold online.

Can ya feel it?? Can ya feel my hairs on my arms stand up? Hell, you might even HEAR it from where you're standing!!

July 7 in Lansing, Michigan at the Common Ground Festival the Red Rocker SAMMY HAGAR is gonna be in concert!!!! It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've seen the power of the Pink Rocker Mona on bass, the surge of energy from guitarist Vic Johnson, the thunder of David Lauser on drums, and that singer, Sammy Hagar, who plays guitar, too.

Unfortunately, my wife and I can't afford the $35(each) to see the show. We're gonna be about an hour away in Midland teaching until 5, but the shows don't start until 7. I'm kinda trying to sell artwork to be able to go to the show, because I'm quitting my miserable job and relying on the teaching gigs we picked up to pay bills. But the draw of the music and show itself is tuggin' at me!!!

Can ya save me?!? Can ya stop my hunger pangs???