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?

View it, love it

If you want to go through the artwork from this blog, just click on the slideshow on top of the page. If you're looking for a certain subject, just type into the search in the top left corner.

Sale ends SOON

Prices are going back to normal this Saturday, so if you like any of the work here that's marked down, act now! You can see some of the artwork on the link below- ARTWORK ON SALE!



Remember that original artwork is a great gift for others or just yourself!

We're THERE, but not really all there, ya know?

The goal has been met and the project is a GO! However, if you've been following, my first attempt to raise funds was for $1500. This time it was $700. Less than half of the original goal. $700 is a bare minimum of what I need for this project, so please pledge and keep spreading the word by sharing this blog and/or the Kickstarter link to your friends! The original goal was carefully figured out to ensure all materials and space rental was paid on to continue. With the new goal, I have to pick and choose what I can and can't do. CLICK HERE to view what you get if you back the project!

KICKSTARTING IT AGAIN!

I'm trying Kickstarter again, but this time, I've lowered the goal and reduced the deadline to 5 days. I'm asking people who like my artwork to either back the project (minimum pledge of $2) or at least spread the word about it. You can get more details and pledge HERE
When you pledge, you DO NOT get charged! If the goal is met and the project is successful, THEN you get charged. And it's all-or-nothing: If the goal's NOT met, I get nothing. If the goal's met, I get funded (and if the goal is met and people keep pledging, I get that, too).

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.

Kickstarter DEADLINE!!!

There are only 50 hours left to pledge to keep my art projects going!! My Heroes series has officially run out of canvas!

Nuttall Art on Michigan Magazine

I just found the episode online of Michigan Magazine that I was fortunate enough to appear on. Thank you again, Barry Stutesman for coming to the studio and filming!
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14946309

Still offering lessons!

For the next 2 weeks I'll be teaching at the Midland Center For The Arts in the mornings. I am available after 3pm for lessons at the studio. Ages up to 17 is $12/hr and 18-up is $15/hr. Drawing, painting, cartooning, comic book, block printing.

Untitled Rant

Well, the cartooning workshop did not go well. Hell, not one person showed! It went HORRIBLY. With my recent streak of failures and lack of sales, it becomes very easy to get discouraged and depressed. I refuse to give in and give up, though, because, really, my art is all I have to go with. I've put my life into this and cannot back down. Other than the 3 summer months I teach at the Midland Center For The Arts, my art career is my only source of income. THAT is why I push so hard online to get interest in my work and my projects. I try constantly to be discovered by individuals and galleries, with cold shoulders or kind rejections.
However, I have a great deal of appreciation for those who have believed in me, hired me and enjoy my work. When I bitch and moan and complain, it's not about those people. I cherish those people! It's because of them that I've gotten THIS far! I'm not trying to guilt previous clients into buying more (maybe guilt them into spreading word about my work...(:) .

Does not look Smurfy to me!

the Smurfs movie looks like little blue sacks of garbage. If it's successful, I'm slapping every kid I come across. I have no problem with the concept of the Smurfs in the big city, but keep them as they should be: classic personalities! Reminds me too much of Alvin & The Chipmunks, but in the cartoons, they HAD those attitudes!From the commercials I've seen, Pappa Smurf is a little grumpy and has attitude, Smurfette sounds like she's voiced by Queen Latifah, with the same SNAP SNAP! attitude, and they're using the "smurf" word in place of vulgarities???? Keep them innocent. Keep them cute. Don't modernize them, or the "fish out of water" affect doesn't work. If they already have "street savvie" when they hit the big city, then what's so great about the experience? It's just Alvin and the Chipmunks all over again, but not done as well.

Youth Cartooning Workshop by ME!!

I know it's short notice, but I'm doing a workshop for children on how to draw cartoons this Saturday, July 16th. There are 2 age groups and 2 times for the groups- 1-3 for ages 9-17 and 3:30-4:30 for ages 8 and under. It will be at Nuttall Art Studio in Downtown West Branch and all the kids need to bring is a pencil and eraser each, and some crayons. It's $7 per kid.
They'll learn how to draw starting with simple shapes, and finishing with an established cartoon character (like Bugs Bunny, Garfield, etc)
Tell yer friends and neighbors!

Etsy-ing again!

I just added some artwork on my Etsy account HERE

Prices and Art Listed

As mentioned in my previous post, I'm selling select artwork VERY cheap so I can keep the studio. Here's the link to my Facebook page that lists the art and the prices I'm asking. Contact me ASAP at jasonnuttall@yahoo.com if interested.

Kickstartin' it

With the lack of business and lessons coming my way, the studio and my projects may be coming to a close. So, I'm trying a different approach, and I need YOUR help!! I'm going through Kickstarter to try and continue my work. If you believe in me, or believe in what I'm doing, please be a part of it by either contributing or spreading the word to everyone you know. Those who donate get rewards (read the details on the link).

Price slash

Due to lack of business and sales, I'm cutting prices on almost all the artwork in the studio in half. Exceptions are the Popeye series, the Jack Nicholson series and the Sammy Hagar series (and other select art that's not for sale. EXAMPLES of artwork marked down=





These are only a small portion of the artwork marked down. If interested in any of it, or any artwork seen on this site, contact me here

Save the Date!!

New Sale!!

Who wants to help keep the studio open?
Yup, business is slow and I'm dropping some prices on the pieces below-
Bob Seger graphite- $65 (usually $125)
Sammy Hagar charcoal- $125 (usually $216)
Tom Petty charcoal- $65
Dom DeLuise and Ruth Buzzie graphite- $40 (usually $92)

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 just like this one