I found myself...leaving KC

Atlas Oats Bldg. West Bottoms, KCMO.
Home to The Art Department and the Illustration Academy 2010

Week 1 "Flat" Assignment Illustration Academy.
June 2010

So I FINALLY left the Illustration Academy today...what can I say...I have a hard time letting go of amazing things. :) Thank you John English and everyone down at the pod for letting me crash! You should all rest well knowing you have had an amazing "monotype" on my life. I hope it is the first of many!

It all started April 2009 with a phone call to this weird area code, which I soon realized was a Florida number I was calling for Buena VIsta Studios in Roeland Park, KS..." we are there every Wednesday morning 9am-12pm feel free to come join us" said the young woman's voice on the voicemail. So I went to figure draw....

Aprilish 2009 - Trey Byran and Jane Radstrom were these two young pups 23 -25 or something like that...but MAN could they draw. To this point in my life, I had seen some great drawings, but never anything like what these two were doing. I paid my $40 to participate in the group for 6 weeks...

Over a few weeks time my drawings were getting somewhat better...the Buena Vista Group was unlike any group I had drawn with anywhere in the world. I am guessing the average age is around 50, but there is something about the energy of this group relaxed yet passionate about art. Todi is this senior woman who has more energy and life than I often do, she dances as she draws and lays down these really nice lines. Then of course there is Dick another amazing artist who's figure drawing is full of of movement, and life. I am really going to miss that Wednesday morning and Monday evening group. I will see you later Buena Vista.

So back to Trey and Jane and a funny story about the first time I went to lunch with the two of them. They invited me to lunch along with Brent Watkinson and Mark English. Now mind you, my background is animation and I am still learning that history but it was kind of funny because Mark arrived after all of us,  and being that I was not at all familiar with the history of illustration, I said "John, hi how are you? I think we spoke on the phone last week". Mark looked at me puzzled and said "I am Mark" at the time I didn't realize I was in the midst of illustration / art greatness. So thank you Trey and Jane for opening my eyes to a new world, where it is possible to draw and paint pictures for a living, I appreciate your friendship and look forward to our paths crossing again.

Brent and Jody Watkinson, my best to you both and I look forward to seeing you in the future.

To John English thank you for opening the studio to me, for allowing me to be apart of this beautiful movement that you are creating here in KC and globally. All the best to you and your visions of the future.

Mark English, you are a true American treasure and I will never forget the time I have had the honor of sharing with you. Thanks for sharing all your stories and opening your home during the Academy. That is a memory I will share with my kids one day! Cheers to you my friend!

Brink Daddy...wow...so many conversations yet to begin. I hope some of those conversations are revealed in time. I admire you and your passion, I have watched tremendous growth happen for you. I appreciate your encouragement of me and my work and really appreciate the mutual admiration thing we developed in a short time. Thanks for being a great person. Wooo hooo!

Now I head out west to realize what I hope is only my first incarnation as an artist.

I am going to miss KC.