It's for the less fortunate, HALLMARK, not LOVE!!!!

SWEETEST DAY was created (coincidentallly by a guy who worked in a greeting card company) to give cards, gifts, candies, etc. to those less fortunate during the 1920s. The sick, down-trodden, unemployed, "Fellow Americans who are down on their luck", basically. The kind-hearted sentiment devolved into the 2nd cousin of Valentine's Day. I would rather honor the original thought behind the day rather than rush out and get a flower that'll die and smell within days.

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.

SAVED! For now...

Alright, the studio's safe for now! I sold some work to cover rent. I don't want the studio or my work to be about money, but I would like to be able to cover my rent, at least!To celebrate,here's a photo of my unfinished Sammy Hagar oil painting based on the painting I did for Sammy!

AND for the rest of October, to celebrate the safety of the studio, selected artwork is marked down in price!!!

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.

WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL: The reception results

WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL: The reception results: "I am very proud to have been a part of this show and reception. Congratulations to all the artists and thanks to all those who came and ..."

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.

Damn the TOMpedoes (play of words on an old album)

I just finished a new drawing. It's charcoal. I don't remember the size, but it's not 18x24. It's in the studio now.

New Special!

NEW SPECIAL!!! 1-2 subject drawing, 11x14 (regularly $77) for $40!!! Offer ends Oct. 11th!!!
If you want a painting, it's regular price. If you want more than 2 subjects, it's an additional $15 for each additional subject.

WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL: Support yourselves by supporting the WBAP

WEST BRANCH ARTIST POOL: Support yourselves by supporting the WBAP: "The Pool KCC reception is Wednesday, October 6th from 6-8pm. It's all free. Please come out and support your fellow artists, even if you do..."

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.

And the 2nd runner-up to the Winner Isssss.....

This is a photo taken by the event organizer Kathleen Baker after I won 3rd Place at the Hale Hot Air Balloon Festival's art battle, also known as Magik Mind Tattooz Art Battle. I chose the Three Stooges because,well, they're awesome and popular. The drawing (which is charcoal, by the way) sold in the silent auction after the battle ended.

PAINT IT NUTTALL NEW TRAILER

This project is still in the works...

Battle to the DEATH! well, not really...

I'm competing in an art battle in Hale ( http://haleyes.org ). Gotta be honest, I hope I win. I actually NEED to win. I have bills to pay and might lose the studio if I don't win or sell what I make at the silent auction (which takes place during and after the art battle). And I worry that it'll be more about the numbers than the quality of the artwork. I won't have alot of people in my corner, so I have to rely on my talent, and sometimes that just isn't enough. Wish me luck and if you're in the Hale, Michigan area, stop by and vote!

Chick-less cartoons

It's been brought to my attention that there are no animated super hero shows with females in the forefront. My daughter like comics and rarely gets to watch any shows that aren't directed towards boys (Super Hero Squad, Batman:Brave and the Bold, etc). If she's lucky, Huntress might have a cameo on Batman or Ms. Marvel shows up on SHS. Even the Justice League cartoons didn't have alot of female-based storylines, but they had more than what's on now! I think DC should come out with a "Birds Of Prey" animated series and have guest spots of other DC heroes, like Batman: Brave and the Bold.
They came out with an animated feature of Wonder Woman, but it was too violent for my 8 year old daughter to watch! I'm hoping that they'll come out with "Tiny Titans" cartoon, based on the comic by Art Baltazar and Franco. It's fun for all ages, very innocent and directed towards boys and girls. Waddya say, Didio and Art? :D

Where I Work

For those of you who can't make it to my studio, here's a glimpse of it. There's more, but I don't wanna spoil it for those who CAN make it!

Not so easy Easy Rider

This is a work in progress. I've been working on it off and on for a year as part of my Jack Nicholson series. I originally chose this image because I was told by a gallery associate that I should do scenery or landscape pieces because that's what sells in their gallery. This was as close as I could get! I always lean towards portrait of figurative work. I did say that I wouldn't do the classic Jack images, and this one is one of the first iconic scenes of his career. But, It's also 36x48 and graphite, so it's a challenge. It also has personality to it. The stern, determined expressions on Nicholson and Fonda's faces along with the precision of the chopper details is very serious, and then you look over and the expression on Dennis Hopper's face,and the fact that he's looking back at the other two breaks through the stern scene and adds charm (As I began drawing Hopper's face, news broke within days that he passed away,making this drawing mean more to me).
I will not post a better photo of this, or any other photo, so if you want to see it, you have to visit it at the studio.

Put the candles in the Cheese Dip!

As soon as I try to take a break from mentioning his name, his birthday pops up!!
Today is the day we Groopers celebrate, not as Labor Day, but Sergio Aragones Day, as it's his birthday! I can go on and on about what this man means to me (and I have here , here , and here ), but the great Mark Evanier summed up some of it on his blog here

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!

Tiny Heads

I'm thinking of doing handheld ceramic rattle heads to sell. Could be celebrities, could be personal. Here's an example.

How do you know?

Ok, here's a question and I'd like your opinion. I'll get to the question in a moment.
What makes artwork gallery worthy? Is it quality or subject matter, or both or neither? I have a big problem with celebrities who feel the need to express themselves beyond their comfort zones by presenting themselves as artists (painters, ceramicists, etc). Now, some are quite good and some even went to school for art but chose another career path. Others, however, seem as though they have this "I'm (celebrity name) and I draw perty pictures. LOOK AT THEM and tell me I'm good" kind of feel to them (to me, at least). They are not very good, though but still get attention and even gallery exhibits because of who they are. Bob Dylan recently unveiled an exhibit of his artwork (where I don't remember) and got international attention for it. I saw only 2 of his pieces, and they were good. I like them. But are they gallery worthy? How is his art different from artwork hanging at Enchante Gallery in West Branch, other than the name attached? The work doesn't stand out to me like you'd expect of an internationally published exhibit. BUT, I could be wrong, and I'm sure I am, but why aren't the artists displayed in Enchante Gallery getting such attention?
What work is gallery-worthy?
What piece is better? This one

Or this one?

What about this one

Compared to this one?


Are any of these gallery art? Why or why not? PLEASE give me your opinion!!