Tooning it up in West Branch

I was asked to do caricatures/portraits at the St. Joseph Elementary School festival/fair today from 12-5. I said yes, because I like to be a show-off. I'm charging more than usual but only because part of the money goes towards St. Joe's. It's $15 for a caricature and $25 for a quickie portrait, most likely charcoal. If you're in the area stop on by. Or just send your money.

Music video premiere: Uncle Kracker's 'Smile' filmed in Michigan | Detroit Entertainment - - MLive.c

Thanks to Barry Stutesman of Michigan Magazine for adding this link about Uncle Kracker's newest video. I'm not so much an Uncle Kracker fan (I don't know his music enough to judge), but I GREATLY appreciate the fact that he filmed his video in Michigan in his hometown of Mt. Clemens and also a little bit in Hale, not far from West Branch and around the corner from my uncle's cabin.
Music video premiere: Uncle Kracker's 'Smile' filmed in Michigan Detroit Entertainment - - MLive.c

And now for something completely different...

I will have to ease up on these babies, as my doctor told me this morning I have type 2 diabetes.

I went in for kidney stones....

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=587982366&k=5WBUQ3T4ST6G6BD1SF2XWTRRR&oid=1237608100919

Recent drawing of Eric Clapton. It's a graphite and roughly between 9x12 and11x14 http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=587982366&k=5WBUQ3
T4ST6G6BD1SF2XWTRRR&oid=1237608100919
And, of course, it's for sale. $50.

New updates

Here's an update:
Alot of brainstorming for the documentary. Hit a few walls in getting gallery attention, but that's nothing new. I don't have any new projects so there's no money coming in. Right now I've got a recurring ailment that's kicking my butt. I started on a Jack Nicholson drawing. It's a more detailed rendering, like the old days. I've gotten into a bit of a lull of drawing or painting quickly to get things done for events or keep prices down for clients. I've come to miss the articulate photo rendering that I've prided myself on.
Once I get some money around, I will be entering the Art de Combat 3 at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, October 17th from 4-7pm. $20 at the door to get in, but you get to vote, drink and eat all you want.
I'm planning on doing a series of Popeye drawings and paintings, as well as Nicholson.
The West Branch Artist Pool exhibit will be up until October 15th at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon. The reception went well. Alot of positive feedback.
I think that's all for now. Chest pains are kicking in.

Is this blog on?? hello?

If you read my blog, please write me so I know I'm not cramping my hands typing for nothing...
jasonnuttall@yahoo.com

Hoping they fall FAR from the tree in the jeenyus department

My kids are becoming great little artists! My youngest is turning 3 next month and he's already drawing faces. My oldest is very talented in art and in sports, and is smart as a whip. My oldest boy (the middle one, 5 next month) has the best comedic timing I've ever seen for a kid under 10 years old, and his drawing has been improving considering he has his dad's attention span.
Hope become doctors. With art as a side thing, so they can support their lame artist dad.....

The incessant ramblings of a simple minded schmo

I know it's just me whining, but what the hell. It's my blog.
Does anyone realize just how hard it is to follow a dream? How hard it is to put important things aside to reach one's goal? I got kicked in the nuts by reality yet again today as my daughter's birthday was to be celebrated and I was trying to sell artwork to get money for a gift. I am unemployed and one reason is because I can't get hired by anyone. Another reason is that if I have a job, how will that affect my working as an artist? And that's it right there. I've worked my whole life (though a short life, I realize) trying to make it as an artist or be discovered, to no avail. I am too stubborn to move because I have this ridiculous notion that if I keep working at it, I WILL become a successful artist out of a small town. I keep referring to the "Ralph Cramden" syndrome, where I get these hair-brained ideas of how to succeed or make money, with a wife behind me rolling her eyes, with just cause. She has seen the ups and downs of my experiences and has grown weary of the downs. The ups justify the downs, I say, but usually only for a brief while. I have become a bit of a star chaser, in that if I catch wind of celebrity, I whip up something to try and grab their attention, in hopes of making a connection or being discovered. This isn't ALWAYS the case. Alot of times I am genuinely inspired by someone and wish to convey my appreciation of what they do or have done. My way to show appreciation is through my artwork.
One of the things which drive me in my pursuit of this career in art is inspiration. I FEEL inspired just thinking of the fact that I have met some of the great men who have inspired me in life. Through my artwork I have met the man who inspired me to draw as a child. Through my artwork I have spoken eye to eye with the man who continues to create music that lifts my spirits and has since junior high. How can someone not feel good when hearing that?
Another thing that pushes me to continue is the same thing I fear. I don't want to let my kids down. I don't want to tell them to never give up and reach for their stars when I, myself have given up. That is why I won't give up. I need to be strong for them. I need to prove to them now and in the future that what daddy is working for is what he loves. But at the same time, to be an artist in this day and age is to struggle and compete and live with failure in hopes that success will be found. The emotional battle that is to be embarked on takes its toll on a person, when the purpose of their livelihood is to capture another's attention with something they created and make a living off of that slim chance that other person's interest is piqued enough to invest in something as unimportant to everyday life as a portrait.
And why am I trying to do a documentary of myself and my "career"? Because every so often, someone tells me that they are inspired by my stories of meeting the man who got me into drawing or the musicians who burn their songs into my mind. Somebody who doesn't know better says my children must be proud of me. For me, the drive is the inspirations which lead to the drawing board. I have seen various documentaries that have inspired me to want to tell my story. I recently met a woman who is building my need to meet my final inspiration, the last man on my "If I could meet anyone, who would it be?" list. It builds inside, then something pulls the pillars away and teeters my motivation.
That's about all for now. Just needed to vent.

JUST ANNOUNCED

I have confirmed that the West Branch Artist Pool Exhibit reception at Kirtland Community College is set for Wednesday, September 16 from 6-8pm at the KCC Art Gallery. I will be one of the exhibitors, as well as other members of the Pool. Joe Donna, the curator, asked if we, the Pool, would be interested in having this be an annual exhibit same time every year. I think that's great for those who couldn't show this time or new artists to the Pool.
The show will be up by Thursday, Sept. 10 and will be up until the end of September.

Facebook | My Photos - Wall Photos

This is my design for the West Branch Artist Pool exhibit poster:
Facebook My Photos - Wall Photos

Facebook | My Photos - Wall Photos

This is my design for the West Branch Artist Pool exhibit poster:
Facebook My Photos - Wall Photos

Wanna work again

Well, for the most part, my events for the summer are over. No more outings to sell, no "art on the streets", and no teaching. Kinda sad, since I didn't get to do alot this summer. I did alot of "money making" artwork, works that weren't as fulfilling for me. I want to get back to that: drawing or painting for me or for gallery or juried shows, rather than quickie artwork. I don't feel as much satisfaction from that work. I don't feel like they're jury exhibit material. But at the same time, I have to makes me money, even though I haven't sold much lately. I have the West Branch Artist Pool Kirtland exhibit coming up, so I might try to do some "old school" rendering.

Where to begin??

This is the list of projects I would like to work on:

1. Start the documentary about my art career and life
2. Artwork for the Art Village on Ojibway in Saginaw on Saturday, Aug. 22.
3. Artwork for the West Branch Artist Pool exhibit at Kirtland this Fall
4. Finish VIETMIME graphic novel
5. Series of Jack Nicholson drawings and paintings
6. Series of Sammy Hagar artwork with an exhibit in mind
7. More Plein Air projects
8. Work from models more often (my kids, wife, friends, etc)
9. Enter more art shows
10. Work in more oil paint, oil pastel, and back to more detailed work.

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I'm forgetting alot.

Art in the Park

I've been teaching here and there so I haven't had a chance to post here. Heh.

This is the painting I worked on for the West Branch Artist Pool Plein Air event. Still gotta finish it, with a few touch ups, but I'm pretty happy with it (especially since I worked thru a rain storm and was the only one who showed up).

The West Branch Children's Film Festival last weekend seemed to go well, even though it rained the last day. I did caricatures in front of the headquarters, but not many patrons. I'm thinking of doing some artwork downtown today if the weather gets better.

Movie of Jason the Artist (?)

SO, I've been want to do a documentary of my life as an artist. The work I do, my inspirations, the events I display at or participate in to get my abilities seen, and the struggles involved in trying to make a career and living while raising a family in a small town. I hope to be a part of the new Traverse City comic convention, the Cherry Capital Con ( www.cherrycapitalcon.com ) and the group I've put together, the West Branch Artist Pool, is going to have an exhibit at Kirtland Community College. So, I need to get new work done for those events, plus work my gig at Olan Mills, teach at Kirtland and the Midland Center For The Arts, finish VIETMIME and keep my kids alive. No small task, the lil daredevils.
BUT, the person I have to film and edit the documentary is concerned that my story is too all over the place and asks what my focus is and doesn't want to start until I figure it out. I thought we'd film different events, different days and interview people who know me or know of my work and see what we have. I don't know. It's starting to feel like thismight not happen. The process of getting the film started is a great example of what I'd want in the film. Trying to do something, only to see it fall apart. Any ideas?

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.