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Al Kaline batted .379 in the 1968 World Series when the Tigers upset the Cardinals. When he retired, his #6 was the first Tiger number ever retired. Not a self-promoter. Just let his graceful play do the talking. As a kid, I thought "Alkaline" was his name. Stupid kid.
Thanks to everyone who came to my "Meet the Artist" reception! It was great seeing you all and you made it a wonderful success!
Last reminder that the reception for my art show is tomorrow, Friday, March 27th from 6pm-9pm. Everyone invited. If you can't make it tomorrow, please stop by and see the show before the end of April. They're open daily, 10am-6pm.
1711 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209. Thanks for your support!
I never liked Pete Rose. There was never enough mustard for that hot dog. He was talented, intimidating and enthusiastic, I'll give him that, but I felt he gave himself the "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Late in his career I remember him playing first base and spiking the baseball into the turf after he'd catch the 3rd out. Bleargh! I got married in Las Vegas two years ago and was strolling through the air conditioned Caesars Palace shops to stay out of the heat and in this large common area there was some over-the-top automated light show going on. We stared at it for a while and decided to move on and I basically bumped into a folding card table that was set up in the hallway and sitting behind it was Pete Rose! It was so sad to see him sitting alone in the hallway with no one wanting his autograph or pictures. I felt sorry for him and my wife asked me if I wanted to take his picture, but I couldn't be bothered. He was ignored by the large crowd watching the laser lights. I do believe he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but he's still a jerk.
Brooks and Frank Robinson. The Orioles had some awesome teams in the mid to late 60s. The 1966 team swept the Koufax-led Dodgers, but I think the 1969 team that eventually lost to the Miracle Mets was better. Great pitching, hitting, and fielding. The 1970 team won the World Series against the Big Red Machine with brilliant fielding plays by Brooks and home run hitting by Frank. In a time of racial turmoil, it was nice to have two heroes, one white, one black, with the same last name on the same team. I was in attendance when Frank hit two grand slams in the same game against the Washington Senators (I about choked on my hot dog)! 
As a childhood Red Sox fan, I despised the Yankees, but I always had a soft-spot in my heart for Mickey Mantle. Who didn't? He had an infectious smile and every kid wanted to be him. I struck out a lot as a Little Leaguer and I think I found peace knowing that while Mickey was one of the league hitting leaders, many times he also led the league in striking out. He played in pain much of his late career when I was aware of him. I have a vague memory of running home from school to catch his last career at-bat on the radio (I think in 1969?), though I don't remember what happened. The 1966 card is one of his pin-striped best and a visual favorite. Tip of the Yankee cap to Richard and Scott Taylor for the request.
I was 8 years old when I saw my first major league baseball game. 1965 Giants vs. Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I don't remember too much of it, but I do have the program that has the pitching match-up as Juan Marichal against Bob Gibson, so it must have been a low scoring game. A vivid memory I do have from the game is Willie Mays hitting a pop fly that went unbelievably high and everyone gasped. After the game, we went down to the Cardinals dugout and I remember being shocked to see men with 5 o'clock shadows in uniform (instead of kids). It had been a kids' game for me up until then and I don't know why I was so amazed. I always liked Willie.
I'm starting a new project here. Cartoonist Norm Feuti (who draws comic strips Retail and Gill) turned me on to this Japanese "Kuretake" brush pen that's pretty cool. My wife bought me one from DickBlick for Christmas and I've been wanting to try it out. I've never ever drawn with a brush before so it's a little weird, but I thought if I found a little project to work on in my spare time, I would try it out and see what happens. The packaging and instructions for the pen are all in Japanese, so that's a little challenging, but it's easy to figure out. I didn't immediately cover myself with ink, so that's good. The ink flow is really nice and I'm finding it fun.
I've decided to draw a baseball card each week from the 1966 Topps set. This is the first year I became interested in baseball and it's stayed a life long love. The 1967 Red Sox team had a dream season led by captain, Carl Yastrzemski, who was my favorite player when I was growing up. This was my favorite card of his (I didn't put it in my bicycle spokes)! My father would take me to Washington Senators games when the Red Sox would come to DC for a series and Yaz would usually go hitless when I was in attendance (the next night, hit two home runs). Anyway, here's the first card I've chosen to draw with my new pen, scanned into photoshop and colored to closely match the original card. Let me know if you have any player requests! Play ball!
Here's a tasty O'Enghip potato chip I drew for the chip company. I think they thought he was going to be the next Wise Owl. It's one of those jobs that you get and you scratch your head and repeat, "the client is always right," and you cash their check quickly. I thought the color of their bag was awful, their logo and label was ugly, and their O'Enghip company name didn't sound particularly appetizing either. They gave me some bags of chips to sample and actually the potato chips were yummy (free food always tastes good). I did see some random bags for sale in some DC Dollar Stores around Xmas time, but I think they're done now. Hmmm...I'm hungry now.
Whew! The exhibit of my paintings and prints is finally up and ready for your approval, now through the end of April. I was going to put it up yesterday, but after seeing the snow, decided to roll over and go back to sleep. Thirty-nine paintings and nine inkjet prints in the Century 21 exhibit space, 1711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209. Open daily 10am-6pm. Come early and often. Everyone invited to a reception on Friday, March 27th 6pm-9pm--too much fun! Thanks to everyone who's put the word out.
Al Kaline batted .379 in the 1968 World Series when the Tigers upset the Cardinals. When he retired, his #6 was the first Tiger number ever retired. Not a self-promoter. Just let his graceful play do the talking. As a kid, I thought "Alkaline" was his name. Stupid kid.
Last reminder that the reception for my art show is tomorrow, Friday, March 27th from 6pm-9pm. Everyone invited. If you can't make it tomorrow, please stop by and see the show before the end of April. They're open daily, 10am-6pm.
I never liked Pete Rose. There was never enough mustard for that hot dog. He was talented, intimidating and enthusiastic, I'll give him that, but I felt he gave himself the "Charlie Hustle" nickname. Late in his career I remember him playing first base and spiking the baseball into the turf after he'd catch the 3rd out. Bleargh! 
Brooks and Frank Robinson. The Orioles had some awesome teams in the mid to late 60s. The 1966 team swept the Koufax-led Dodgers, but I think the 1969 team that eventually lost to the Miracle Mets was better. Great pitching, hitting, and fielding. The 1970 team won the World Series against the Big Red Machine with brilliant fielding plays by Brooks and home run hitting by Frank. In a time of racial turmoil, it was nice to have two heroes, one white, one black, with the same last name on the same team. I was in attendance when Frank hit two grand slams in the same game against the Washington Senators (I about choked on my hot dog)! 
As a childhood Red Sox fan, I despised the Yankees, but I always had a soft-spot in my heart for Mickey Mantle. Who didn't? He had an infectious smile and every kid wanted to be him. I struck out a lot as a Little Leaguer and I think I found peace knowing that while Mickey was one of the league hitting leaders, many times he also led the league in striking out. He played in pain much of his late career when I was aware of him. I have a vague memory of running home from school to catch his last career at-bat on the radio (I think in 1969?), though I don't remember what happened. The 1966 card is one of his pin-striped best and a visual favorite. Tip of the Yankee cap to Richard and Scott Taylor for the request.
I was 8 years old when I saw my first major league baseball game. 1965 Giants vs. Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I don't remember too much of it, but I do have the program that has the pitching match-up as Juan Marichal against Bob Gibson, so it must have been a low scoring game. A vivid memory I do have from the game is Willie Mays hitting a pop fly that went unbelievably high and everyone gasped. After the game, we went down to the Cardinals dugout and I remember being shocked to see men with 5 o'clock shadows in uniform (instead of kids). It had been a kids' game for me up until then and I don't know why I was so amazed. I always liked Willie.
I'm starting a new project here. Cartoonist Norm Feuti (who draws comic strips Retail and Gill) turned me on to this Japanese "Kuretake" brush pen that's pretty cool. My wife bought me one from DickBlick for Christmas and I've been wanting to try it out. I've never ever drawn with a brush before so it's a little weird, but I thought if I found a little project to work on in my spare time, I would try it out and see what happens. The packaging and instructions for the pen are all in Japanese, so that's a little challenging, but it's easy to figure out. I didn't immediately cover myself with ink, so that's good. The ink flow is really nice and I'm finding it fun.
Here's a tasty O'Enghip potato chip I drew for the chip company. I think they thought he was going to be the next Wise Owl. It's one of those jobs that you get and you scratch your head and repeat, "the client is always right," and you cash their check quickly. I thought the color of their bag was awful, their logo and label was ugly, and their O'Enghip company name didn't sound particularly appetizing either. They gave me some bags of chips to sample and actually the potato chips were yummy (free food always tastes good). I did see some random bags for sale in some DC Dollar Stores around Xmas time, but I think they're done now. Hmmm...I'm hungry now.
Whew! The exhibit of my paintings and prints is finally up and ready for your approval, now through the end of April. I was going to put it up yesterday, but after seeing the snow, decided to roll over and go back to sleep. Thirty-nine paintings and nine inkjet prints in the Century 21 exhibit space, 1711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209. Open daily 10am-6pm. Come early and often. Everyone invited to a reception on Friday, March 27th 6pm-9pm--too much fun! Thanks to everyone who's put the word out.
