Some thing new on the horizon

from and independent collaboration, Steamer 8, an Anthology of Tales.

samuel E. kirkman Jr. ©2010 

There is something new on the horizon. Something so compelling to artists that I think we would all do well to have a look. It's actually been germinating and growing right before us for some time now. I allude to the internet and the social networks that are transforming the way the world communicates. For artists, the line between consumer and producer is blurring.  Established professionals can now communicate directly,  instantly with their fans and friends making our circle an intimate one. The fact that it is global in scope seems oxymoronic doesn't it? An intimate global community of creators. For those of us who's dream  has been to share our musings with someone other than our friends siblings or spouse, is enormously significant. It is as if the doors long barred to the unknown, unrepresented and unpublished is perceptibly dissolving. More and more independently produced properties of startling resonance are being discovered by an insatiable audience. Evidence of this is in the increase of conferences, book fairs and self publishing events nation wide. Even at the major media events such as Wondercon in San Francisco, areas designated for exhibiting independent artists and publishers are filling up earlier than ever. last year space was available up until November of 2009, this year, all available space is already booked! APE the Alternative Press Exposition also in San Francisco,
is now twice the size it was just the year before! Independent Publisher offerings now command close to 20% of the industries annual product. Yes! This is something new! Something that all artists with a vision need to take notice of and get involved.
                      

The Anthology Project

Folks its official! 

Soon, this incredible little 64 page book will be available for purchase from 

Indyplanet.com  

Book mark it because round about November it will be up. 

Significant because, one, it has turned out to be an amazing kids book,

and two, it shows what is possible when the creators are in control of their own project. 

7 other author/artists and I found each other on the web, banded together, and for the sheer 

love of laughter and story hammered out this little puppy.

My hat is off to Mr Christopher Tupa ! He was the instigator of the whole incident and took charge of our layout and file prep.

and to Mr Ben Powis who provided the scene for the crime.

Imagine! creators from all over the globe banding together to accomplish such a feat.

Imagine too that you could be a part of it! The welcome matt is out to any creatives interested in developing similar projects. To get involved, start by taking a dip over at the;

Illopond.com

See how our cadre formed and worked collectively to critique and edit each others work.

Further nods to;

Mark Harmon    http://harmonillustration.blogspot.com/ for his cover design and killer story Robo 6

Denver Wagner   http://denverwagner.blogspot.com/  for designing our table of contents, And     phenomenal The Call of Tooth Head

Michelle Kondrich   http://www.michellekondrich.com/ for her wacky     Pand In The Pantry  and for preparing our press release.

Craig Pirrall   http://craigpirrall.com/ for his Funny Go Froggy Go! and layout of our Bio Pages.

Lei Wiley   http://www.wileyillustration.com/    For his creative and colorful  Bradley's Crayons

   Collaboration is nothing new, but  in the way our little project has been accomplished, something new has been achieved. I really think we have stumbled on to something. Not that by our efforts we are trying to circumvent the Guardians at the Gates,  (One of the reasons we all became involved in such a project was to hopefully gain their attention.)  but perhaps we've helped lighten their load, so to speak. Like many out there minding the muse, our main objective is to bring smiles to as many faces as possible. 

So keep a watch for our lil Anthology project, and stay tuned, because we enjoyed this so much we have plans to do it all again! 

  

Messages and meanings

         What do you think?

Should an artist concentrate on entertaining, 

or should they strive to inform, to enlighten, to
move an audience in some way?

Art, to which I am personally drawn, must have some
meaning, Some moral good or ethical truth that motivates
and inspires me to better myself. 

We are always encouraged to speak from our hearts, 

to pull from our own personal experiences.

              Risky business.

We all know the sting of an open heart, slapped by

the palm of indifference or rejection.

Charlotte

Meet a new character from GREW. 

Her name is Charlotte, inspired by a literal Charlotte, Charlotte Gerson of the Gerson Institute. Charlotte's selfless efforts in promoting the work of her father Max Gerson in the face of ardent opposition by the modern medical community are, (in my opinion) an artistic expression in the truest sense. A Beautiful Truth,  Perhaps not with brush, paint, pen or ink, but with nutrition. With fresh, raw, organically grown produce and vegetable juices. With a vegan diet free from food additives, artificial colorings and preservatives. Things with which the Food Industry continues to envenom the public and which the American Food & Drug Administration continue to claim to be safe and non toxic. This in spite of the mounting evidence to the contrary. 

Foodmatters.tv   

Food Inc.

sweet misery

Aspartame

MSG

What dose all this have to do with GREW?  

   

We are integrally tied to our environment. It is an extension of our very being, not a place where we live.   The importance of our paying attention to what we eat, to what we drink, and to the air we breathe can not be avoided or ignored. GREW will explore a world which has all but eliminated it's natural environment, replacing it with a panoply of man made marvels to "improve" upon what fools in their ignorance have eradicated from the earth. More importantly, it will shed light on the ability of the environment to cleanse itself from such cancerous incursions. Like the human body, freed from toxic impediments, which can dissolve a malignant tumor.          

        

                          

            

Through seeming absence, progress is made.

It has been awhile since my last post, I apologize, but I have been very busy.
Vacation is coming, which will mean a trip back home to Texas, so I will be
absent again. Meanwhile, I hope this new page from GREW will be of
interest. Please leave any comments and I wish you a happy productive day.

   

What art is, and what it can do.

   Close to five years ago I was moved to execute this piece.  Five years later, and the specter of its muse still haunts. I will reveal to you only that it's subject can easily be discovered in the morning paper and what spurred it's birth is an issue of great controversy, great sadness, great loss. Loss of innocence, loss of trust. An abhorrent deformation of human conduct and character that must not be overlooked, excused or dismissed. 

   I've always tried to bring something relevant to my work, convinced that as artists, no, as human beings, we have a responsibility to reveal what lay hidden in the imperfect mortal heart. By doing so, perhaps, we can expel, exorcise, eradicate such lesions in behavior so that no child should ever be so wickedly betrayed agin.

TRUST

It is perhaps only stained glass, wood and florescent light, but if it is anything more, I suppose that that will be decided by those who view it.

Please leave a comment and share this post with others. 

  

     

Sorry for the delay, let us press on!

Spring is always one of the most difficult times of the year for me creatively. I'm burning inside to work on my properties, but the Physical and mental demands of the day job, saps every ounce of strength left at the end of the day. I have since just before Wondercon, finished a couple of pages to share. Hope you approve, and that you find yourself able to press on in spite of what life throws in your way.

  

Illustration Friday Brave

Thought this one worked well for the topic this week.