Submissions accepted!

I've never submitted to a juried show before, but when I saw our local Center For Contemporary Arts   was holding a juried exhibition and was accepting a max of three works finished with in the last three years I thought, why not. Now two of the three have been accepted and one of the pieces accepted was "Windows for Mirrors" 

It's such a personal piece that I'm not sure how I feel about it being out there for anyone to see.

the other selected piece is "Quarantine" 

I'll be getting these down to the center soon for the show before the 17th. we'll see how this goes.

 

Widows for Mirrors

 Converting our gust quarters into a mini gallery. The first piece I’ve installed is an extremely personal piece. You see I heard a very good talk not to long ago in which a brother used an illustration of exchanging our windows for mirrors. The point being, when we become self absorbed in the negative realities of our lives, all we can see are our own problems.  It’s like looking into mirrors instead of relishing the view from our windows. Appreciating the good things, counting our blessings. 

You see, my wife left me, a few weeks before the COVID lock down 2020. I knew something was wrong, but every attempt to find the root of the problem was met with deflection. Her mind was made, her heart far removed from the vows we made 30 years ago. And on a dark and rainy night she disappeared, just like in one of those tawdry novels. 

This piece encapsulates the story. The hole she left in our lives is real. 

Two years in the pain has lessened by the bountiful spiritual blessings from Jehovah and the love of my spiritual family. And like artists before me I am now able to use my abilities to address the drama of this life.  I know some might think it insensitive to use the affairs of our lives as fodder for our work but I can’t think of any better therapy to deal with the pain. The loss, the heartache. And perhaps with in this,  others can find solace and camaraderie in the fractured imperfections of our shared experiences.

A little Kintsugi helps. 

What a difference a few years make

Eleven of years ago I made a post about what is a masterpiece, What is art https://samkirkman.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-masterpiece-what-is-art.html?m=1

It’s been about that long since I’ve read that piece and today, eleven years later, I’ve about decided I was full of it! I’m a bit embarrassed over what I wrote. I railed against artists like Tracy Emin. And while I still feel the charlatan artists exists, that does not necessarily apply to Tracy, or Damian Hurst or Jeff Koons. There is A LOT I do not agree with in their approach and execution. I still value most highly those who’s own hand applies to their work, but I must admit that sometimes it takes a group effort. Case in point, Damian Hurst’s wreck of the unbelievable Damian Hurst’s Wreck of the Unbelievable

I watched the documentary on Netflix like everyone else, and I was astonished! I can’t say I swallowed hook line and sinker, but at first I do admit I was awestruck at this “incredible find”but like I said, was reticent to believe. And then, suspicions confirmed! As the style of “art” that had been “recovered” from the sea, was incongruous with my knowledge of Art History, and as the program proceeded, I had the most pleasurable Aha! Moment. I rejoiced in being “Hood Winked!” When the “corral encrusted” goofy and Micky statues and Walt and Micky were revealed “I knew it!” I shouted out loud! What a ride! And when you dug in and unpacked everything that Damian had done… I honestly think it was this Work that changed my mind about conceptual art. So I re-examined the work of the likes of Tracy Emin and others and like a breath taken from a new set of lungs saw their work much differently. I can appreciate the highly personal expression “My Bed” was. The snapshot made unflinchingly public of a point in her life that was so dark, so ugly. Yes Art is more than painting pretty pictures, and even though I can’t say I enjoy certain works of the conceptual scene, I can appreciate having been encouraged to think.

Having A Creative Run

 I've been experiencing an incredible surge of creativity lately! I've completed 6 and have at least three more pieces in the works. It all started when I found my dearest first bourn son has developed into quite the creative! He's been inspired by Rafi & Klee  A joyous pair of Artists sharing their story and art on Youtube. I'm so grateful for them. Having that spark of appreciation for the arts now ablaze in my son makes me Giddy! at any rate, here are a few of pieces I've completed lately.

                                                      "Quarantene"

                               Goat Skin, Plater Life Casts, painted Briars MDF & acrylic

"Dessert Series #2"

Cedar (Ash Juniper) Gnarl, treated with Lime sulfur MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

Dessert Series #1

Cedar (Ash Juniper) root Gnarl, MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

Desert series #3

(Ash Juniper) root Gnarl, MDF, Plywood & acrylic paint.

"Untitled"

Mesquite branch gnarls, Yucca seed pods, acrylic paint, Cherry wood base. 

"Happy 26th Anniversary!"

Altered Photo on Canvas, Acrylic paint.

And a couple of other pieces you can see in the post, "Home Grown Music"

  

 

 

  

  

  

The Crack

 

Just had a Wonderfully invigorating chat with some friends on line about Art and wanted to share a brief  experience highlighting how we creatives are sometimes alone in our appreciation of things. Back in 2007-08 when my youngest was 3, my sister and family came out for a visit to California. We took them on a whirlwind trip from Yosemite, all the way down the coast to Morro Bay. While in San Francisco we visited Golden Gate Park. The New DeYoung museum had just been completed and I was dying to see it, but I knew my wife, kids and visiting Family would have been board to tears. So I settled for just walking up to the entrance. I noticed a crack in the pavement on our way. I thought, this is deliberate. the crack continued into the courtyard of the main entrance and as I witnessed, it  run through Huge stone Monoliths set for setting, turned sharp deliberate corners and wonder around the area I thought to myself, "Andy Goldsworthy?" Sure enough, upon reaching the entrance there was a marker identifying it as "Fault line"by British Artist Andy Goldsworthy! I must have Squealed like a little girl! "Andy Goldsworthy!" I shouted. "Andy Who?" My family replied. What's the use. no mater how much I might try to explain how deeply his work inspires me and elated I was to actually be experiencing an Actual Goldsworthy piece, I just let it go.

https://youtu.be/g1UpH5-5JJ4

Here is a video on the execution of "Fault line" at the DeYoung. Just one of those random life moments I cherish and wanted to share. 

Home Grown Music

I've fallen in love...

well, I've always loved gardening, loved growing gourds, and loved music, but a few years ago I came across a video about the Kora. I immediately fell head over heals for this remarkable instrument. I had to make one of my own. Believe me... it's harder than it looks! Growing a gourd large enough takes finding the right seed. then, a whole year for it to mature. a plant started from seed in March, planted out @ April/May will produce a usable Calabash by October. If growing conditions a perfect.      

      

They grow like MONSTERS! one plant can easily cover a patch of earth 10'x20' and then some, producing perhaps only one or two useable fruits. This past year I managed to grow a couple that were large enough, but sadly only one made it to Korahood. It was from a Giant African Bottle seed I managed to find on Amazon, Robs Giant seeds  because of its shape I had to preform major surgery. I called it, FrankenGourd!

But finally! At long last... I had my resonance chamber for my very own Kora! I may perhaps put together a how to post, but I would direct you to Dennis Havelena if you want to find out more now. 

This year Im ready! built a support covering almost half of the garden to support more Monsters! 

So to date, this year I've managed to build only three, these two made from either half of a bushel gourd I'd grown a few years ago and my FrankenKora! Size makes all the difference when it comes to the sound. the larger the better.and while I need a WHOLE lot of practice, I think I've got at least one song down!

My Journey To Wit's End

Hello? 

Is this thing on? Pbth pbuth pbtht…ehe ehem…. Well, it’s been awhile. Hard to start this back up not knowing where to begin. How about where I am right now. 10 years ago this April 2022, my family moved home to Texas to be here for my Mother. She’ll be 85 March 5, much to her chagrin. So here we are in Texas, at Wit’s End, both literally and figuratively. I’ve stayed busy, and so I’ll be sharing some things I’ve accomplished. My most recent works to share with whoever will consider them and the community of Rouges from Rafi & Klee studios https://youtube.com/c/RafiWasHereStudios an encouraging group of creatives my Son Ethan found and shred with me. I’ve missed having a creative community to converse with so I’m looking forward to sharing. Now if I can remember how to use this blogger stuff… 

Catching up

Ouwangalaymah Finished!      available at; Amazon  

Did another one!

"When the Grackles Loose Their Tails" 

Available Here Barns & Noble

What am I doing now?

Can you Tell I was listening to the cat album of little shop of Horrors while I was working on this one?

Elevating the humble gourd to the fine arts. Devils claws have always fascinated me as well, but they're getting harder and harder to find out here in west Texas. 

And the Kirkman Family Gallery is Looking awesome! Malcom thinks so anyway.

 

A Crucible, and the importance of being in one

    Man, this one is hard to begin...
It was all supposed to go so differently. Last September I started working on the house to get it ready for market. At the first of the month I tried to continue full time at work while renovating the house, but it just became too daunting. So I dropped to part time and continued the reno, but by the end of the month, I could see I still didn't have the stamina. Sept. 28th 2012 became my last day at work, ending 16 years with my employer. Putting full time into the reno was supposed to help get our house on the market and sold before the holidays. My family would be home in Texas well before the first of the year, BUT... Guess what... after two failed escrows because of a low ball FHA appraisal,  we're still here.
   Somewhere, in some unspoken, un-intellectualized plan I put my creative life on hold. Packing it  away in bubble wrap and shoving it into Card board boxes, awaiting their triumphant unleashing upon our return home. Well that didn't work. I can see now that I've been wrestling with a bit of depression. I know I am effected by S.A.D. Seasonal Effective Disorder. Have been so for years, but cupeled with putting myself out of work and struggling with all that entails I'm afraid I have deepened the blues for myself this season.
   I had dreamed of quitting for years. "FREEDOM!!!" I thought. (you know, I really tried to apply David Acuff's council in his book Quitter  but I guess I am forever putting carts before horses and counting chicks before they hatch.) But are we really ever? Free I mean? And my motivation behind this post is the question, Do we really ever want to be?
 From that struggle, that "Crucible" of troubles comes the motivation for our creativity. I was afraid that once I quit the day job that this very thing would happen.  I would stop waking up at 4:30am to work on my art. That I would lose touch with my fellow artists. That I would waste time watching TV shows and playing stupid games, growing fatter and lazier by the minute. Take the pot off the stove and What do you have? Eventually a pot of useless lukewarm water.

   In the background of it all has been growing the germ of an idea that I feel will spark the fires back into life again. Listening to my favorite Podcast this morning, Paper Wings  Chris Oatley and Lora Innes interviewed Ryan Woodward Whom I mentioned in my last post http://samkirkman.blogspot.com/2012/07/motion-comics-or-interactive.html His work Bottom of the Ninth is truly ground breaking. In that interview, Ryan suggested, "follow your passion and pick the project that, in a sense, first picks you,"   And when we try to communicate something that is profound to us in a way that is not overstated or "Spoon fed" to our audience that it will connect. Like he said, there really isn't a formula for it, you just have to feel it and go with it.   
   So that's what I hope to do, keep the life in my embers, so ta speak, and share something personally profound and yet universally accessible, not spoon fed or overstated. More soon I hope.
    
    
             

Motion Comics or Interactive Storytelling?

   With the advent of the iPad and other tablet devices, creative individuals are searching for ways to harness the possibilities they offer for artistic expression. A few years ago, the Comic industry experimented with motion comics, with disastrous results in my opinion. As many observed, it strained the fabric of what make Comics Comics. This was a learning experience for everyone and I feel, even though an unsuccessful venture, it was valuable exploration.
   What caught my attention recently, are interactive, or what I'd like to call immersive experience Comics. It started in some of the first Children's offerings for the iPad. Alice In Wonderland from Atomic Antelope was an eye opener to what might be possible. Since, there have been a flood of such titles, again mostly in the Children's digital book market. No surprise. Such books have always been well received by their audience. Since the day of the popup book and those annoying read along and play books you see everywhere, publishers have been making the most of it.  One might be inclined then to lump interactive, immersive comics into either the failed or the puerile, but let me put forward a couple of examples that might prove otherwise. first,

                                         Bottom Of The Ninth by Ryan Woodward .
 Ryan is a phenomenal animator artist and storyteller, and now add innovator to his achievements. Now there may be some purists out there that might argue, but I say that he has made a step, a huge step in the evolution of Comics. As defined by Scott McCloud; "Comics- Juxtaposed pictorial And Other images in sequence intended to convey information and / or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer" The possibilities are so exciting to me. Not just Static images, but animated and interactive elements "Juxtaposed" to other content. In spite of a few technical glitches at first, I find Ryan's offering inspiring!
   Another offering that I most highly recommend is

                                      CIA. Operation Ajax from Cognito Comics.
 This work is simply astounding! In so many ways. in subject matter and in execution, exemplary. This not only suggests an advancement in entertainment but also in education. It enlivens the otherwise dry events of history and slaps you in the face with a huge dose of relevance. If you truly want to understand why the middle east hates the west so much, this will shine an unflinching light on the subject. I'll leave it up to others more skilled in word and critique than I to give a rounded evaluation, but just read it, NO, experience it. And if you are a creator like myself, be inspired by it.
 
   And not to leave you without a tool to do so, might I recommend downloading the first and only app at present for you to experiment with.

Demi Books Composer is an app that allows you to build an interactive story right on the iPad and the company offers you a way to make that available to everyone through the iTunes store. That particular portion of their offering I haven't fully explored yet, but the app is free to download and use.  

So what are you waiting on! Get busy! Get out there and start astounding people!  

 
           
                                                           

New portfolio site & some Fan Art

I just love my new iPad. It allows me to make posts while while I eat lunch. I've got a couple of exciting things to share. First, a brand-new portfolio site.
Http://samuelkirkman.wix.com/portfolio
If you have a sec, check it out let me know what you think.
Second, Jason Brubaker of http://remind.blogspot.com is having a fan art competition. What! You haven't read ReMIND? what's wrong with you?
Head on over there and do it right now! Jason is a really great guy. I got to meet him at WonderCon this year. it also hosts a podcast called Making Comics. He said some really great guests, David Petersen, Doug Tenaple, and Ethan Nichole to name a few. At any rate, here is my fan art submission. Why not submit one too! I'd love to see what my buddies come up with.

The Mowing of Grass and the Mending of Fences

On a TED talk I listened to recently, a designer spoke on finding happiness. "Happiness must mean doing more of the things you love, and doing less of the things you hate." But... doing less of the things you hate can pile up on you. That is exactly what has happened to yours truly.  Now you know I love creating art, and over the last few years I've created quite a bit. I have been very happy. Now, Mr happy is bemoaning the piles of procrastination that have accumulated. Mending a fence built over 11 years ago, hacking through a jungle that was once a beautiful garden, and fighting the color green in what should be an azure blue pool have been taking up quite a bit of my time.
   The inevitableness of our move back to Texas is fueling this weekend warrior faze. May it pass swiftly!
 We are moving back to be near family. Now I love my family, and I love living in California, but when there is a choice between the two, I know there really is no choice. One must sacrifice. The truest expression of love is self sacrifice. And so, I prepare the body. With the jagged edge of a hedge trimmer I let loose the crimson in my vanes and try not to think of all that I will miss. Friendships made, incredible beauty just a few hours away, the place that Walt built, Yup, I'm gonna miss California.
   There is however a glimmer. I will at long last be loosed from the salt mines. 16 years in retail is long enough.
"But Sam! What will you do for a living!?" I would like to say that for a change, I will live for a living. Becoming a working freelance illustrator and Author is of course my goal, but to reach that goal, it is going to take more sacrifice. We will simplify. Living in Texas will be much less expensive than living here. (There is no state income tax in Texas for one thing.) I will find part time work. We will not eat out. We will go camping under the stars rather than doing Disneyland. Then, within all that "Meantime," I will continue to pursue my goal, be with my family and, put first things first.
For me this feels like a leap of faith.  Faith in the talents that Jehovah has given me, and that it is his will that we make this move. My mother is 74 and not getting any younger.
   Yes I've read Quitter by Jon Acuff, and yes all the way through I was looking for the affirmation to quit.
All good council and I applaud him.   But he didn't speak much of being trapped in a toxic job, heading  away from where you want to be. His jobs always seemed related to his ultimate goal. At the very least, he was able to use his creative skill sets on a daily basis which by effect, got him closer and closer to his goal.  I have been on the wrong buss headed in the opposite direction for a LLLooonnnggg time. If I'm ever to expect to get to where I want to be, I gotta change busses NOW!

On a HUGELY Positive, Wonderfully SPLENDIFEROUS note,
the gang from the http://illopond.com are forming a new group the Anthology 8  group of artists. Paul Caggegi, with his marvelous brain and bounding talents has taken initiative to set up a site dedicated to a core group of artists. Those who have been involved in our anthologies in the past, and who will be taking things to a whole new level. We are not leaving the Illopond, we just feel the need to make this a sustainable enterprise for all those involved. We encourage others to continue to pool their talents and build something like we have done through the illopond. And of course we will continue to drop in from time to time to encourage & foster continued collaborations there.

   My next Story for FarFaria will be out soon.   Here is a lil peak. If you have an iPad, I hope that you will download subscribe to the app. It is the best value for Digital Children's literature out there. Most single book apps out there are running anywhere from 3.99 to 12.00 for a single book! FarFaria delivers new books added every week to an already huge world of Children's titles. The first month is on the house. you can read as often and as many as you like. After that, it is a 3.99 a month subscription, but like I said, new books are added weekly! And you will find soon five stories illustrated by yours truly.          

  Lastly, and certainly not leastly, I'm honored to be part of an exciting project. My friend
Ian Narcisi, an incredibly talented musician, singer song writer, invited me to contribute some visuals for an up coming Concept album     There will be a kickstarter campaign in conjunction with this project that I hope that you will consider contributing. Can't say much about it right now, but I've been messing around with animation Via Corel Painter for it. I think you will be blow away!
At any rate, Yup. Life is busy, and once my seat on the bus is final, I will breath a sigh of creative release. And if you know of anyone needing a dedicated, easy to work with illustrator mention my name!!! I'm only an email away.    

        

A piece revisited

I can never leave a piece alone. there always seems to be something I can tweak, something I can rearrange that can make a piece better. Some day I may get tho the point where I can leave well enough alone, but for this piece I think a little fiddling was well worth it.  

the older version.

And so, 

on to the next piece I can't keep my hands off of.

Two White Horses now available

My story that appeared in Dark Mischief from Dreamwalker press is now available for digital download and indyplanet digital . I is in Volume 2 of Dark Mischief which is yet to be released, but as a special surprise, I will have a few copies available for purchase at WonderCon this next weekend in Anaheim.
I will have Hard copies of Two White Horses as well and of corse, the new Ouwangalaymah #3 and lots more. If your going to WonderCon this next week end March 16-18th I do hope you will stop by and say hello. And please,  check out the digital. It looks GREAT on an iPad!  :o)         

FarFaria

http://www.farfaria.com/
Well I can finally disclose the project that detoured my progress on my personal work. FarFaria is an iPad  app full of Children's stories to delight and amuse. I was privileged to work on four of the stories.

It was such a pleasure to work on these stories. And being my first official freelance gig, I was a bit disappointed when it was over. While my heart is in my own stories, I must admit that it is a completely different challenge to bring someone else's story to life. The folks at intuary were great to work with. I do hope to work with them again and welcome any other jobs that might come my way, but I must say I am so glad to be able to get back to finishing Ouwangalaymah. 

One of these day's I hope to own an iPad and read the other stories in FarFaria. I understand it will be an app that will continue to grow as more stories are added in the future, so be sure if you are an iPad owner to download it and let me know what you think!

         

      

The K-Jewel Show was a BLAST!

I can't thank Karl Kallmann enough for the invitation which came, about a year ago, to be in this past weeks art hop gallery show at the K-Jewel studios in down town Fresno. This was my first show ever, and I am flabbergasted at the response to my work! What have I been waiting on? As a creative person who longs to actually be an artist for a living, there is a rational fear, an apprehension, that your work my not hit the mark with a viewing audience. That your hopes will be dashed, that you dreams will be squelched. We perhaps place too much of our worth as an individual in the validation of our work. That fear of failure perhaps is what has stymied me all these years. But for what ever reason, I am finally out of the creative closet!    

When Karl emailed me and asked if I'd seen the Fresno Bee yet I was absolutely blown away! My piece made it on to the front page of the life section with a header piece on the front page!  Totally unexpected! Thursday night, a couple who attended the opening told me that they came because of the article, specifically to see that piece. Boy did that make my evening! I've also been contacted by others interested in acquiring a print based on the news paper article.

  And MAN was the show busy! I regretfully, had never attended an Art hop in Down town Fresno and had no idea what to expect. It was so stimulating to see so many people take an interest in my work. and meeting the other artists was just incredible! 10 years ago when we first moved out here to the west coast, I found the work of Leonard Filgate   in one of the many galleries along the central coast.

  
       His warm and whimsical Characters from the Children's book series Rip Squeak, written by his charming wife susan, simply captivated me. We purchased a copy online for our son, never dreaming that one day we would be able to have them both sign it. And the thought of my work being hung in a gallery with his... I think 9 is the number of the cloud I'm on! I also had the pleasure of meeting Doug Hansen    a Wonderful illustrator and an instructor at Fresno State University.

We had the BEST conversation! Never let it be underestimated that when two creative minds start talking, the world can indeed be changed! We is sure feel like it can, and He has invited me to come speak to his class in November! I think I can help most by presenting my story as a "Why it is important to have direction early in your life" kind of way. If just one of his students can avoid the pitfalls of retail I will have won the world! I've got so much that I want to share with them.

And I also had the wonderful pleasure of chatting with Kathryn Pendroza  

a remarkable illustrator. She is a friendly, warm and open person. We talked about the SCBWI and critique groups, universal  travails of life as a creative and again, just so wonderful to be around like minded and friendly people.

I hope that this isn't my first and LAST gallery show. I so want to do this again, but even still, just having discovered a facet of my community that I never knew to be a vibrant as it is is such a win for me and my family. Thank you Karl Kallmann and the K-Jewel staff for being the gem you are in the cultural crown of our community.   

     

the APE experiance

This past weekend, I had one of the best art times in my life. Not because we sold out of books, because we didn't, and not because we all ended up with publishing contracts because we didn't. But we did revel in each others company. As artists, we struggle with balancing our passions as we speak with others. In the end, our friends and families, although supportive, lack the depth of interest in what we love to talk about, and after the fiftieth time we share our work with them they get a little bored with us. Getting with fellow artists and WoW! We just can't stop talking! We see things through similar filters and feel things in similar ways. That's the number one take away from this weekend for me.
We really didn't do half bad when it came to sales, yet in the long run, we're simply hoping for a self sustaining venture at present. Self publishing events are showing up all over the place, and as they do, our chances of this becoming something more improve dramatically.

Thank you again;

Charlotte Cheng  Denver Wagner       and Michelle Kondrich  for being so AWESOME to hang with!

We will have to do it again!





          

DARK MISCHIEF Kickstarter campaign

Well, it is official. The Kickstarter campaign is open for pledges!  
My story, Two White Horses was accepted for inclusion in this anthology of dark tales. I'm hoping mostly playful or low impact, haven't seen much of the other stories yet, but the artists involved in this project are simply AWESOME! I'm so excited to have my work along side theirs! Dani Jones, Kim Holm, Sarah Turner, Mark Rudolph, AP (Tony) Fortado, Mich Byrd, Dave Flora, Dirk Manning, Cayetano Garza Jr.,  Pam Harrison, Wane Spencer, Kenny Durkin, Thomas Florimante Jr., Jenni and Barry Gregory,
Even though this is a step beyond where I usually tread, I have high hopes that it will bring me one step closer to being a full time story teller. Getting in on this Kickstarter campaign is one way that you could help. Jenni has put together some awesome incentives. Take a look and see if any might appeal to you. Just contributing a dollar will put your name in the book as a contributor, and if the word is spread by everyone and we meet our funding goals, all of the contributing artists will receive payment for our efforts! I MIGHT REALLY GET PAID! YEA!!! Just being part of this project is cool enough, but man, a bit a moola would be nice too. One thing that is great about contributing to projects like this is that all creators retain 100% of their rights and can do what ever they wish with their stories.  Two White Horses will be available as a 20 page standard comic soon as well, and as a Digital down load from the new Indiplanet Digital site.
Thank you in advance for any support that you can share and I hope that you will enjoy the stories in Dark Mischief               

Preparation for a busy month

Well, Here comes October!
Every year for the last, oh, I don't know, SEVERAL years, I've been saying I'm gonna leave the Day job buy October. We I can't say with any certainty that that will be so, but I am about to take a couple of major steps in a direction that may make all my Artin around more legitimate. Hopefully profitable.
fist, I hit my goal and then some in finishing my 20 pager for Jenni Gregory's Dark Mischief   Two White Horses, (my contribution to this anthology) marks a mile stone for me personally. Stepped way out of my comfort zone and I think I think of all my books this one will attract a much wider audience.
Second, APE the Alternative Press Exposition is this next weekend.  I will be tabling with Denver Wagner, Michelle Kondrich an Charlotte Cheng   I'm hoping for a BIG weekend of connections and fun interacting with folks who come to the show.

and Thirdly, on October 6th I have my first Gallery Show ever. Here in downtown Fresno, at the K-Jewel Gallery I'm very excited. I thought that I would be nervous, but I'm really not! I feel like it's just time. Time I started to let people see what I've been trying to do in ernest since 2005. Here are the pieces I'm putting in;    

  

TRUST

Trust is like my Masterpiece. the Show is for illustrators, but I hope to demonstrate that the visual artist should not be limited by an imposition of labels. We do think deeply about our contributions. they are quite personal and hopefully thought provoking. I slip it in to the category of editorial illustration, but it is to me a work of fine art.

And other pieces will include;

Adrift

GREW

The Mayor's Wife

the final page of For the Public Good.

I had a large print made through Zazzle 24x36

plus My KnickKnack the Kat story all framed in sequence.

It's really hard to decided which pieces to include. I might try to work in a couple of the Priest from GREW, but at any rate, being my first show I can't wait to see how my work is received. I do hope that this last big push to get my work out there is met with a positive response. Either way I plan to learn as much as I can from the experience and grow from there.