Bittersweet: So hard to say goodbye

With every piece of artwork I create, I get a little attached to it. Especially when it's artwork not made specifically for somebody else. It's rare I create work for myself, but when I do and they come out as I want, I get very emotionally charged and connected to the work. And when I sell that artwork, it's very bittersweet. I am making money to support my family, but I'm handing off work that was close to my heart. Case in point: I just set up to sell two of my Popeye series, one of which is one of my favorites. However, the buyer is from the hometown of EC Segar, Popeye's creator, in Chester, Illinois, AND is owner of Segar's childhood home!! the works, shown below, are going to THE PERFECT home! MY Popeye artwork in the town where Popeye was created, and MAYBE even in the house his creator lived in!
If I can mail the painting in time, it might be displayed during next weekend's Popeye Picnic! If you're attending the picnic (this Friday, Saturday and Sunday), ask at Spinach Can Collectibles about the Popeye movie painting!

Big ol' update post

Alright, I'm back from vacation and feel less relaxed than when I left!
My hero, my idol Sergio Aragones will be appearing (from the neck up) on FUTURAMA tonight on Comedy Central!
I was hoping to enter an art battle in Hale, but the vacation soaked up all my funds, so I might not be competing.
The West Branch Artist Pool art show at Kirtland, according to the curator, is on his schedule for October, not September. He's supposed to get back to me this week.
The studio will be open this Friday during Fabulous Fridays in Downtown West Branch from 5-9pm. This FF is honoring the Veterans and those who've fallen.
I haven't heard anything about displaying my Popeye series during the annual Popeye Picnic, although I can't afford to go to Chester, Illinois anyway.
The documentary about me is on hold until, well, basically, I and my art career gets more interesting!
I think that's all for right now. Please remember that it's not too early to set up for artwork for Christmas. It's $50 to start a project and you can either pay here and there or pay the remainder upon completion of the project.

Sketchy weekend

These are the sketches I got from Sergio Aragones, Stan Sakai, Ken Wheaton(Popeye Picnic Special) and Art Baltazar(Tiny Titans, Patrick the Wolf Boy). I will have them all framed soon, and copies put up in the studio!(Art Baltazar drew his sketches with Crayola. Awesome)
Now, the unique thing about the sketch Sergio did for me is that he told me that he's not very good with caricature sketches (WHAT???) when I JOKED about him not having to draw me. The video I posted before here shows him working on the sketch!

Cheese Dip, Spinach and...whatever Usagi eats...

It's been confirmed that not only is STAN SAKAI going to be at the Motor City Comic Con, but the man who has been an inspiration since I was 7yrs old, Sergio Aragones! My geeking-out meter is off the charts right now, because also at the MCCC is Ken Wheaton, artist of the "Popeye Picnic Special Edition" comic book, along with one of the writers of the Popeye special, Chris Yambar.
So, we have the creator of GROO and artist of Popeye, THE two characters who've been at the tip of my drawing pencil for over 25 years, plus a newer favorite, Usagi Yojimbo by Mr. Sakai. My head's a' spinnin'!
The event is May 14-16th, I do believe. I met my hero in 2007, as any fool can plainly read HERE .