Art in nature today in the Park

I know it's supposed to rain today, but I've had this West Branch Artist Pool Plein Air in Iron's Park set up for a month or more. I don't get OUT to paint often. I need to practice my landscape/scenery artwork.

My imaginary agenda that might come true

I have alot of things I want to do right now. Here is a list:

-Do a documentary. Of me. Very arrogant. But honest.
-Have an exhibit solely of my Sammy Hagar artwork. Around the time and place he tours in Michigan.
-Set up an art show of the West Branch Artists' Pool in West Branch
-Organize a plein air in Irons' Park (on location art outing) July 26th with the Artists' Pool
-Do more shows/fairs/events

Gift ideas gone very well

In the last couple months, I've offered deals for Mothers' Day and Father's Day. I didn't get alot of takers, but these drawings were done for Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day, respectively and one other drawing was done, but I accidentally erased the photo of it.

Thank you Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Wilcox for allowing me to post the drawings.

A bit behind

I just realized that I never posted the finished Sean Connery drawing from the Art de Combat II, so here it is.

Artin' around...

The photo is of me at the Art de Combat II, and behind me is my Uncle Bern Nuttall, whom I haven't seen in 25 years before Memorial Day last week. He came up just for the combat. Thanks again, Uncle Bern.
Here's a link to video of the Art de Combat II

Josh Jurgess filmed footage of the Art de Combat II at Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on May 30th. Thanks, Josh.

This was my first art battle, but I've grown very accustomed to drawing or painting in public, answering questions and talking to viewers. I actually enjoy it quite a bit. I didn't really feel any pressure after the first half hour. Like any project, I never know how it's going to go until I start. Starting is the worst part for me, because I need to figure out where to start. In this case, I didn't know what medium to do. I saw alot of painters competing, so I left the paints in the car. It wasn't until the starter shotgun (yes, you read right) that I opened up the charcoals and started. I went with a Sean Connery portrait, since he's a very recognizable, and fantastic, actor. If I'd felt confident I could finish the piece in the 3 hours, I would have done an oil pastel of a kilted Connery, ya know, for the ladies...

I want to thank those of you who came to the event, even if you didn't vote for me! The next combat at Enchante will be in October.

Have A Day

I met Matt Feazell at the Xcape Con 2 in Flint, Michigan in November 2008. My wife had seen him at the Motor City Comic Con in 2007 and got one of his "Have A Day" stick figure sticker. I recognized the sticker when I was wandering around the Xcape Con floor during some "slow time" and flipped through some of his more recent sketches, as well as his little books "Mr. Cynical". Every time I see a stick figure cartoon, I immediately think of him and hope it's one of his. Please check out this artist. This site is the TIP of the iceberg of his hilarity http://www.mattfeazell.com

Art de Combat in my sights

I just signed on to compete at the ART de COMBAT at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, May 30 from 4-7.
Here's the premise: artists come in, set up and at 4pm they begin creating a piece of artwork for the next three hours. During this time, the "audience" wanders around, watching the artists, ask questions and vote for their favorite piece. Also during this time, drinks and food are provided (beer, hors' d ouvres, wine, etc) for viewers and artists. At 7 pm the artists stop and the ballots are counted. There is also an auction for the artwork that's been created at the event. There's a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Part of the auction proceeds of the evening goes to charity, I do believe, and the other part to the artists whose pieces are bought. This is the second art battle at Enchante, but the first I've ever participated in.
Now, here's where it gets interesting, at least for me. I don't know what I'm going to do! So, I'm asking people to give me suggestions (remember that I am, for the most part, a portrait artist). So if someone suggests Jack Nicholson, and you like that idea, let me know and the idea with the most 'votes' has a better chance of getting done. OR I can do a drawing or painting of a live model. If you come to the event, and want to be my model, let me know. Then you or someone you bring with you can bid on the artwork. Or if you want a portrait of someone, bring them to the Art de Combat and they can sit for me for 3 hours (breaks are acceptable, of course). You can e-mail me at jasonnuttall@yahoo.com to give me your suggestions, or mention it on my Facebook or my MySpace. I will post a link to Enchante once my internet connection works right.

Still in progress...

After 4 years and alot of work, VIETMIME by Nutberger INK

....still isn't done. It's very frustrating for me because I'm analyzing the plot written by Tim Schaiberger, drawing, inking, lettering and designing the entire book, and I don't have alot of time with a 6year old, a 4year old and a 2 year old running around. AND, since this project isn't currently a money-making project, it takes a backseat to, well, everything else that makes immediate moolah. Our friends at Dark Elf Designs out of Flint, MI are willing to print the book for us, but the deadline is coming up.

Even if I get all the drawing done, I'm not a great inker. And if I can get that done, the whole lettering aspect is beyond my abilities. When I created the sequel to VIETMIME, "M.I.A. : Mime In Action" for my college class, I had a working computer and printer. I had Photoshop and Illustrator. I figured out ways to put fancy words in them thar word and thought bubbles by typing the words, cutting and pasting and spending 2 straight days doing it.

Every time I look at the work I've done on the graphic novel, I get excited and look forward to doing more, but I never get the time to do it. I'm sure there are easier ways to go about what I'm doing, but I don't have ANY money, a working computer, or time. But I have every intention of finishing this thing.

I am donating my Paul Newman drawing for a raffle at a fundraising spaghetti dinner for Sharon Karnafel, a friend of mine and the mother of a good friend of mine. She worked at K-Mart and Wal-Mart and is fighting cancer at the moment. The dinner takes place at the West Branch Masonic Temple next to the little league fields on Saturday, May 2 from 3-7pm. Tickets are $5 and raffle tickets are 5 for $1. The drawing is easily worth $200.
I started the drawing last Spring after Paul Newman passed away. I have not even finished the drawing, but this event has given me the perfect opportunity to finish it. I have been trying to figure out what to donate since I was asked to participate. Then it dawned on me: This is a worthy cause and Paul Newman, aside from being a cinematic legend, was also an honorable, charitable human being (Newman's Own dressing, popcorn, etc? Most, if not all, proceeds to go charitable causes). What better way to honor his memory and how better to help a friend in need?
Sharon and her son Steve have always been very close to me. I was at his wedding, he came to many of my art shows, and he was the first friend I made in Michigan after moving back from Colorado. He and his mother have had a difficult 10 years. I know no better way to show my support than by giving what I have to offer and to ask others to come for a $5 dinner for one evening.

Artists' Pool second Get Together today!

Today is the second West Branch Artists' Pool Get Together, for those who couldn't make the first one or liked the first one or want to get info on upcoming events. So far, there will be 4 people there, five if you include someone's kid who's being dragged to it. I was hoping to get some interest from younger artists looking to find their artistic niche in the area.
The get together is from 4:30-6pm downstairs at the West Branch Library on N. 4th St. It's free and if you feel like showing your work, bring examples. If you have any thoughts on the arts, speak up. It's a free flowing, easy going shindig. John Burton, former art teacher at Whittemore-Prescott, is involved in beginning a Co-Op Art Gallery downtown called "artisan's alley". He will be onhand to answer questions. Tell yer friends and neighbors!

The Blues Were Blastin'! The auction, not so much...

"Blast the Blues" went as well as most events where artists display their work for sale. The event itself was fine. The organizers did a good job, and the band, The Devilles, were great. It's just the people who PAID to be in a FUNDRAISER involving an AUCTION didn't feel that they should have to bid on anything at the auction. Alot of artwork was up for auction. Attendees knew this. It was advertised. But nobody wanted any artwork. Or anything else, other than eat and drink.
Now I understand that alot of people aren't into art, no matter what kind of art (and there was a great variety), but if you come to an event that is a fundraiser that has an art auction and artists on display (as advertised), MAYBE you shouldn't be coming if you don't like art.
"Let's go to a car auction even though I don't have a license and hate cars! But I hear they're giving away hot dogs!"

I want to make clear that the event organizers, volunteers and artists are not the people I'm disturbed by. It's the people who paid to come to charity auction and didn't want to bid. I did not expect to sell anything. I never do at these things. It just gives me a chance to show off my work. I'm not upset that I didn't sell anything. It's that people donated artwork, events, opportunities and their items were underbid (start at $50 and EVENTUALLY sells for $25). To me, that's a blow to the self-esteem. It's not a garage sale that you meander around and try to haggle.

That should be enough complaining for now.

Cat art

I just finished this graphite drawing of my friend Jenny Raymond's cat for her. I gave it to her yesterday and she says she loves it.

Wine Walk a Blues Blasting

The Art & Wine Walk went very nicely. It was great weather and alot of booze lovin' West Branchers out and about. As always. But this time there was FREE wine and artwork to look at.

Oh right. There was artwork on display. I actually had people come into the Ink & Thread, get their shot o' rotted grape juice, give me a look like I was a diseased hippie and walk out. Par for the course. Happens all the time. And for the record, I am NOT diseased. I am not a traditional "hippie". I have long hair and listen to classic rock and blues. I don't hug trees. I don't spout off "Peace my brother", and I do not partake in ANY Hippie-esque substances. Hell, I barely drink.
Other than those individuals, the evening was great. I saw old faces, new faces and had alot of positive feedback about my artwork.
Next Thursday, April 23, I will be at the "Blastin' the Blues" at Dean Arbour in West Branch, for the Tolfree Foundation. I will have artwork on display, as will 19 other artists. Entry is $20 and that covers food from multiple local restaurants, drinks and a chance to bid at the auction. I have put a BB King block print up, an unknown piece (but it might be a Stevie Ray Vaughan painting) and 3 hours of art lessons. For more info, check out the Tolfree Foundation site: http://www.tolfreefoundation.org/blasttheblues/

Spread the word!!

What I'm going to do...

I will be at the Ink & Thread for the West Branch Art & Wine Walk on Saturday, April 17th from 5-9pm. I will also be at the Blastin' The Blues for the Tolfree Foundation at Dean Arbour in West Branch on Thursday, April 23. Gotta get to work, but hope that holds ya for now...

New Workshop in West Branch!

My computer has taken an unfortunate turn for the worst, so I haven't posted in quite a long time.
Heh. Sorry.
The Artist's Pool get together went well. And I'm getting alot of positive feedback about the concept of the group. I feel good about it.
The West Branch Children's Film Festival ( www.wbcff.com ) is continuing to move forward, and there will be a new workshop coming up:

FEBRUARY WORKSHOP: ACTORS PREP
Actors Prep: How to Audition
Presented by Cassandra "Cassie" FisherActress, Director, Professional Lighting Tech, Hair & Make-up Artist, Professor of Theater at Kirtland Community College

1:00- 4:00 PM Saturday, February 21, 2009 @ West Branch Public Library, Lower Level Only $5 per person payable @door
All ages welcome.
Doors open at 12:30
Limited Seating

Future workshops will include acting basics, set make up, prop setup, and screenwriting featuring professionals from the film industry.

Hope to swim in the Artist Pool

I am on Facebook. I kinda like it. I'm also on Myspace. I kinda like them both for different and similar reasons.
Anyway, I have started a group on Facebook, "West Branch Artist Pool" . This is a place for visual and performing artists of all ages to contact one another, see each others' works, and as stated in the title, a pool from which to find varieties of artists in the West Branch area. This can also be used as a tool for the West Branch Film Initiative, or any organization or individual looking for a certain kind of musician, painter, or actor. If you live in the West Branch area and are an artist or know of one, send them over! They don't have to be professionals. They could be students or hobbyists.
So, click on West Branch Artists' Pool to check it out.

Richard Brauer Filmmaking Workshop in WEST BRANCH!!!

The West Branch Children's Film Festival will be featuring a workshop on making films on Saturday, January 17th at 1pm in the West Branch Library.
This event will be taught by Michigan filmmaker Richard Brauer. He is most famous for his work as writer and producer of "Escanaba in da Moonlight" with Jeff Daniels. Here's a link to his site:
http://www.brauer.com Here you can find a list of other films he's done, including "Frozen Stupid" in Houghton Lake with Ernest Borgnine and "Mr. Art Critic" with Bronson Pinchot on Makinac Island.
Here's also a link to the Film Festival site:
http://www.wbcff.com
I am very excited about this event, as well as the work the festival and the West Branch Area Film Initiative is doing.
The festival is always looking for more professional filmmakers and actors interested in teaching workshops or judging the festival's films if you know of anyone in the field.

My wild college days

Photo by Christina Dillbeck

I was perusing the super information internet highway (i.e. typed my name into the search engine), and I found an article written about me whilst I was still attending Saginaw Valley State University. Here is a link. And here is the picture if you likes me looks but not readin' 'bout me.

Con Man

Photo courtesy of Dark Elf Designs
This photo was taken of me at the XCape Con 2 November 22, 2008 at the Gateway Center Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. It was a fun experience with alot of great talents and organizers.

You can see more at the website www.xcapecon.com or their Myspace site.

I have a SLI---DDDDEEE----SHOOOWWW!!!

Now you can view my pics via my slideshow.
It took me 4 months to figure it out...