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...

Comic geekery

Above is a drawing I did of Marvel's Loki and Thor. I'm taking it with me this weekend to the XCape Con
in Flint. If anybody plans to attend, and would like a drawing such as this, email me ASAP and I can have it ready for you Saturday or Sunday at the Gateway Centre Holiday Inn.

Me and The Duke at X Cape Con 2

I'm going to be bringing some of my fine arts pieces as well as my comic art to the X Cape Con. One of the pieces I might bring is this piece of John Wayne from one of my 3 favorite Duke movies, "The Shootist". I created a woodblock print from this drawing and will have that available. SO, if you're in the Flint, Michigan area November 22-23, swing by the Holiday Inn in Gateway Centre.

Oh, and I also have the Pete Townsend drawing up on Ebay again.

West Branch CHILDREN'S Film Festival

Alright, kiddies! It has been announced that West Branch, Michigan, my hometown, will be host to the first West Branch Children's Film Festival! It is the first festival for kids in the mid/northern Michigan area. It will be a 3 day event, July 31-August 2, 2009. There will be areas around West Branch that will be playing movies for children, and movies BY children! This will be a VERY family-friendly event. There will also be professionals in the field of filmmaking to speak or give workshops or even present their own children's film.
At the time of this post, the Film Festival Committee is building a website, contacting filmmakers and local schools, and organizing. I am an unofficial member of the committee, as I am with the West Branch Film Initiative.
If you know of anyone who has a child-friendly film, or is making one, or knows of a youngster between the ages of 3-18, let them know about the WEST BRANCH CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL. We are planning to make it an annual event and be a Cannes for Kiddies!

X-CAPE CON 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it's been alot of back and forth, but YES I WILL be a guest at the X-Cape Con 2 comic and sci-fi convention in Flint, Michigan at the Holiday Inn on Gateway. Here's a link
www.xcapecon.com
The event takes place Saturday, November 22 and Sunday , November 23. I will have art on display and for sale, M.I.A. : Mime In Action for sale, doing sketches, taking orders and selling (for a buck or under) an EXCLUSIVE VIETMIME teaser. You can only get this teaser at the X-Cape Con 2, or order it from me here. You can also order a certain amount from me online and pick them up at the con, just to make sure I have enough printed up. It will be a limited printing.
And if you are a fellow GROOPER and plan on attending, PLEASE let me know ASAP!!
Spread the word!!!

West Branch Movie buzz

The West Branch Area Film Initiative, or Ogemaw County Film Initiative, is currently organizing and will have a website up soon! I am a member of the film committee, unofficially, and will try my best to keep updates on this great experience for West Branch. The goal is not only to get movies made in West Branch, but to bring jobs to the residents of Ogemaw County and to give the youth of the area a reason to come back home after college or during college. There is training available for film work and opportunities throughout Michigan. You can view some info on the Michigan Film Incentive, which is a tax cut for filmmakers shooting in Michigan, at www.mich.gov/filmoffice
I feel very strongly about this initiative in West Branch. Pete Fabbri, the lead organizer of the Initiative and co-owner of The Silver Lining in downtown West Branch, has told us that West Branch is in the lead for organizing for filming right now. No other town is as on the ball as we are, and we hope to keep it that way!
As soon as a site is up and running for the film initiative, I will provide a link.

Documentary news

I've been kicking around the idea of doing a documentary about myself as an artist. Wanna run the camera? Contact me ASAP. It's free work, but something to put on a resume.

Behind Blue Eyes for sale

Well, if you know of any fans of The Who, send them my way. My charcoal drawing of Pete Townsend is up for sale again. I have it on Ebay here. Great gift for the holidays.

I had someone promise to buy it, and that was two months ago.

Please remember that the photo above has a little flash reflection on it.

I'm BAAAAAAAAACK

I know it's been nearly a month since my last post. My internet connection isn't readily available as it was.
Anyway, since I've been gone, not much has happened.
I will be doing sketches at Logger's Depot in Downtown West Branch on Ladies' Nights(Wednesdays). I'll also bring other artwork, art prints and t-shirts.
I will be at the Bay City Gallery Walk on the first Thursday in November, 2 weeks away. I can't remember the name of the store, but it women's clothing. Hmm.
I am still to be a guest at the X-Cape Con 2 in Flint, Michigan November 22 and 23 at the Holiday Inn.
CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Neal Gilbert and his wife on the birth of their first baby, Brooke!!!