Home Sweet Home

The West Branch Artist Pool show at Kirtland is now over and the remainder of my work is back in the studio, as well as some of Melissa's ceramics, too. So the studio is full of work. My body of work is back. Come check it out.

Put your ear up to the Plant and listen....

**This drawing on display at Kirtland Community College Art Gallery in the West Branch Artist Pool Annual Art Show until October 31st****

I would like to recommend, if you are a fan of Robert Plant, and specifically Plant and Alison Krauss's album a year or two ago, Robert Plant's new album "Band Of Joy". It has some bluegrass, some blues, and an all-around soulful feel throughout. I was doubtful when I first listened, but it grew on me. Alot. I'm thinking of doing a series of Robert Plant artwork (behind my Popeye series, my Jack Nicholson series and my Sammy Hagar series), as his work, old and new is very entrancing to me.
Nuff said.

Nuttall Art Studio may be near an end.

Due to the lack of finances coming into my home and studio, there's a good chance I may not have the studio much longer. I am not giving up, because to give up is to admit defeat, and dese feats are made for walkin', not walkin' away. The energy I feel when I open the door to my studio is overwhelming at times. I have such a nip on about what I do, it's ridiculous! There are so many unfinished projects lying around the studio because my mind is drawing, painting, sculpting a mile a minute and my body can't catch up! The studio isn't my dream; the studio is part of the dream that I've been striving for my entire life. My dreams used to be to meet my heroes, my idols, my inspirations. I've used my abilities as an artist to achieve those dreams (with ONE still on the table. WHEN will you film in Michigan, Jack??) and my heart's filled with pride and joy in what I've accomplished. But now that I've reached that goal, now what? I've earned the respect of my lifelong heroes, Sergio Aragones and Stan Sakai, I've spoken, shook hands with and even sold artwork to Sammy Hagar, I've put a smile on BB King's face. Twice. But how does that help me? Personally, it's uplifting and powerful, but does that help me get gallery exhibits? Can I feed my children because of it? It's bragging rights, or to some, name dropping. I want to support my family and my career as an artist by BEING an artist. I also want to encourage and (morally) support other artists, young and old, to follow their dreams, but smarter than I have. Hence, the West Branch Artist Pool I created.
I have had some success with the studio, and word is getting out, but commissions are few and far between. The lessons I teach are to 3 kids, and it's not enough to pay the rent, to be blunt. The studio isn't a shop to sell the work on the walls, but if someone sees something they like, there's a price. It's really a place for appreciaters of the arts. But, at the same time, I can't have the studio if nothing sells.
I will constantly be updating about whether or not I can hold onto the studio. With Christmas in a couple months, I'm hoping people will notice the quality of the work and the low (yes, the prices ARE LOW for the quality) prices and realize that original artwork is far more thoughtful and long-lasting than a video game for a system that will be obsolete in a year or so, or socks that only get holes eventually.

Kirtland Art Gallery has FOOD (and artists) tonight!!

Alright, cats 'n' kittens, today's the day! From 6pm to 8pm Kirtland Community College will be host to the WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL ART SHOW Reception! We will have over 7 Ogemaw County-based artists, not even including two published authors AND a dance performance!
Oh, and there's free food and refreshments.

Art Ramblin'

How are young, talented artists supposed to feel positive about what they do when there's nobody encouraging them? What if your precious football teams came to a game, and the stadium had only 1/16 of the seats filled? Then those players get discouraged because they don't feel supported by their community. If sports got the same support as artists, sports wouldn't be as popular. If you know an artist, be it a musician, a painter or a writer, come to their events and bring friends.
I created the West Branch Artist Pool ( http://westbranchartistpool.blogspot.com so all ages and varieties of artists in Ogemaw County have a place to share their opinions, their talents and their outlets for their abilities with others who may share as well. I hope to make it a community where we can share with one another and the general public so they know what this county has to offer in the arts. Too often, the performing and literary arts are forgotten when talking about "The Arts". That is another aspect of the Pool that I am stressing greatly.

But I'm rambling. I know I am. I yam bloggin' without editin'. Just come out to support your artists, people. How'd you feel if you threw a party and nobody came? That's how artists feel. Alot.

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.