'Tis (somehow...unbelievably, already) the Season

Last weekend I went back to GR where I had the good fortune to participate in the "Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace," a first-time event organized by the Northview Senior Citizens.  A young family had donated the use of their home for the event, so a bunch of local crafters and artists decorated the space with their wares.  I was stationed at their dining room table for 14 hours over two days, selling and signing copies of The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree.  It ended-up being a pretty successful experience for me, lots of books sold and lots of word gotten-out.  I got to see some familiar faces and briefly catch-up with some friends' mums.  Plus, I was surrounded by my key demographic: females 60+ years old.

There was one thing that kinda struck me as odd.  People would approach my little display and I'd invite them to take a postcard or flip through the book if they so wished.  Some would ask questions, most would pick up a book and check it out, and a handful would read the book cover to cover.  The thing that got me, was that some people would stand in front of me, read the entire book, say something like "Aww, what a sweet story," and then wander off.  To me that seemed...not overly classy.  Now, I go to the grocery store and try samples without buying things, I steal stuff from the farmer's market when the farmers aren't looking, as a kid I would read comics off the stand at the comic shop and not buy them...so is this behavior any different?  Maybe I've been doing the same thing, but am only aware of it now because I'm on the other side of the table.  To quote Omar from "The Wire":

"It's all in the game."

-Robb

Ps - I was kidding about the farmers market :)    

Book signing in Rockford!

Tomorrow (Sunday, October 9th), I'll be in downtown Rockford at Aunt Candy's Toy Company!!  It's a totally sweet little shop with lots of stuff for kids.I'll be hanging out from noon until 3ish, so please stop by, say hi, and if you'd like, grab a signed, personalized copy of The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree.

εἰκών

The title of this post is the Greek word for "Icon" (literally: "image").  Over the past year or so, I've really become fascinated with the themes and stylistic choices favored in classical religious icons.  I guess my first real attempt at this style was last year's painting "God's Bear" which I painted for the exhibition at Cafe Verde.  I've returned to that style a few times since then, this being the latest (and darkest):

 This was my first time painting with coffee.  It behaves a lot like...the absolute weakest watercolor paint on Earth.  Even the subtlest of tones here represent repeated washes and brushstrokes.  The ink is Sakura Pigma Micron 05, and the gold is from a Posca paint marker.

This piece will be in a group show at the Ugly Mug (Ypsi) in October.  Details to come.

(Sorry about the crappy photos...I couldn't decide which color I liked better vs. which was more true to life.  Also, it seems I can't focus my shots worth a d*mn). >.<

This is, far and away, the best-smelling painting I've ever done.

Who wants to win a book???

Let's try something!  Together!

This being the first year of publication for The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree, it's important for me to do as much as possible to market it as much as possible to get into the hands of as many people  as possible.  Next year she's gonna be old news, and I'll be trying to put more of my focus into other book ideas I've got kicking around.

So!  Here's where you can have a chance to get a copy of the book for free!!  Actually, howzzabout 3 of you wonderful people get a free book each??

The Skinny:

Everyone who writes and posts Amazon.com review for the The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree before midnight, September 25th will be entered into a drawing to win one of three signed, personalized copies of the book. 

I'll contact you 3 lucky ducks shortly after the deadline to discuss particulars (book signage, shipping address, etc.).  But just in case, be sure to check back here in the days following the deadline for updates and announcements.  For the winners, it could make a versatile Christmas gift (bath mat, cheese board, dietary supplement in the lean winter months [you would have to eat 30 bowls of Total to get the fiber found in just the first 3 pages of this book]).  But if you'd rather share it with some young ones in your life, I'd recommend this book for all children up until...4th grade or so.

Anyway, here's a link to the Amazon page for the book if you're interested.  Good luck!  And Thanks :-D

-Robb

Jamboree 2011

The inestimable Christina Mezuk and I reunited for another installment of collaborative art at this year's Michigan Roots Jamboree.  For those who are unfamiliar, the Jamboree is a two-day music festival in Riverside Park in downtown Ypsi.  Artists paint on a small stage while the bands perform, then the finished works are entered into  silent auction.  Artists get 80% of the sale price (so Cristina and I get 80% to share).

We met once during the week leading-up to the festival and hashed-out a game plan.  We met at Aut Bar (a fantastic bar/restaurant in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district) and, over the course of some cocktails and a plate of Super Nachos, pretty much decided on exactly what we ended-up doing at the Jamboree.  Last year, we had made plans, but ended-up scrapping them at the last possible second and going in a completely different direction.

We used acrylics on an off-white gesso'd board, 4' x 4'.  About half way through our time, it started to RAIN.  After a few moments of initial panic, we realized that we were getting some really cool effects as some of the colors started to run and mix in rather serendipitous ways.  So we adapted our game plan and ended-up creating a piece that I think we were both fairly pleased with.  It ended-up selling for over double the value of last year's piece.  And after we finished painting, we got to see Frontier Ruckus play!  ACES.

Big thanks to Kayj and Community Rebirth for another opportunity to participate in our sweet art scene here in YpsiArbor.

KIRKUS REVIEW.

Several weeks ago, I submitted my book to Kirkus Indie (the method by which a self-published work can be reviewed by Kirkus).  Well, Yesterday I got the review in my inbox and, after avoiding looking at it for an entire afternoon, I finally worked-up the guts to see what they made of my book.

THE WOODCUTTER AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TREE

As the seasons pass, a wise and beautiful tree must persuade a jolly woodcutter not to chop her down.

“Thwickety-THWACK! Thwickety-THWACK!” sings the woodcutter as he tromps through the forest, swinging his trusty axe and looking for a suitable tree to chop. When he comes upon a beautiful tree, he is at first delighted—until the tree asks him what he intends to do. The startled woodcutter declares that he will “CHOP-CHOP-CHOP” her “DOWN-DOWN-DOWN!” and the clever tree offers him her flowers instead. He agrees to take these home to his wife in lieu of cutting the tree down. Again and again, the woodcutter encounters the tree, and each time she offers him a gift to dissuade him from chopping her down. Come winter, however, the tree is despondent—her branches are bare and she no longer has anything to offer. To her surprise, the friendly woodcutter offers her a gift. The illustrations by debut author Johnston suit the titular characters well—the loud-mouthed woodcutter’s words burst onto the page alongside his gorgeous and whimsical surroundings. The author’s depiction of the tree is enchanting, with leaves and flowers blossoming onto the page in a colorful display that will captivate the eyes and minds of young readers. Johnston’s illustrations are so beautiful and intricate that they nearly overwhelm the narrative. Still, young readers and listeners are sure to enjoy the repetitive lyrics of the woodcutter’s song. Parents, librarians and schoolteachers may also enjoy belting out the woodcutter’s amusing dialogue. In the end, readers learn a touching lesson of friendship and giving as its own reward.

Gorgeous illustrations, humorous dialogue and a moving narrative make this a stunning debut.

Needless to say, I'm pretty happy.  AND!  They gave me a star :-D  Here's a link to the REVIEW.  

Believe in yourself, believe in your craft, believe in your works.  Others will follow.

The Kirkus Star: "Awarded to books of remarkable merit."  

Locusts and Honey

The Gospel of St. Matthew Ch. 3:1-4

In Those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

This is the most recent I've done in a sort of religious, icon-esque style.  Religion and mythology in and of themselves are such rich sources from which to draw inspiration, add to that the countless interpretations and styles developed by artists over the centuries...and I find I am helpless to avoid trying my own hand.  My style is still somewhat cartoon-y and lacks the bold character of so many works by others (maybe watercolor is not ideal?  Perhaps I need to refine my watercolor techniques?).  Still, I think I have some basic elements that are unique to my vision, and I am excited to continue growing within this genre.  

This particular piece was framed at Nelson Amos Studio in Ypsilanti, MI (They absolutely CRUSHED it...the matting and framing [not pictured] look gorgeous) and was a house-warming gift for my sister and her husband, married this past weekend.  Congratulations again, to Cam and Selina Breiden.