I hope the very best for all of you in 2009!

So as you all know the auto executives from the “Big three” arrived in Washington a few weeks back tin cup in hand as they stepped out of their private jets. It is a strange time in Michigan these days. Everyone is on edge. It seems that your everyday person is caught in the crossfire between congress, the big three, and the UAW.



If I were the PR guy for the big three, I would have made these auto executives drive themselves to Washington in the new line of fuel efficient cars that they are just now starting to produce, in order to show that Detroit can make cars that are just as good and innovative as foreign car manufacturers. They would have had concrete data from this drive that proves (at least for GM’s sake…) that some of their new line-up of cars is just as efficient as what Honda or Toyota produces. It would have been far more compelling for congress to consider giving them some aid.



Only after getting push back from congress did these executives try and use a page from the Iococa playbook by saying they would take a $1 salary for the year.



This whole thing is complicated, and I don’t know the answers, but while these auto executives are sewing their golden parachutes, and the UAW continues to play its tired games, the everyday person in Michigan waits for the other shoe to drop.



Before moving here I didn’t really understand the meaning of the White Stripes song “The big three killed my baby”.  These past few weeks have given me more appreciation for this song.  Pay close attention to the lyrics. Jack White is spot-on in his assessment.



Check ‘em out at Youtube.







 

"An unannounced encounter whilst hunting." Acrylic on panel.

I saw Chris's post, and not to piggyback, but oh well, here is my piece for Mark Murphy's Know Show at Art Basel-Miami.

I feel honored to be part of this great show, and i am humbled to be in the company of such great work.

For me this was a great experience to work on something that wasn't intended for print. I feel more exposed doing work for this kind of setting, but it was a positive experience nonetheless.

Check out more info about the show here: http://murphydesign1.blogspot.com/. Mark Murphy is having a preview of all the work for first come acquisitions on November 24th. You can email him directly for a preview list. murphy@Murphydesign.com

The painting that accompanied the Vans shoes.

On Halloween I had the chance to take part in the “Recollect the Dead” show at the Cave gallery in Detroit. If not mistaken, Leo has already posted his beautiful contribution to this show a few days back.



This was yet another amazing show put together by Andrew Davis, and I am glad to have been a part of it.



I covet Andrew’s gallery/studio space. The Cave gallery is located in the Russell Industrial complex, and old empty warehouse/factory building that was somehow auto-related in it’s heyday. It is now an up-and-coming space for artist studios, and has a great energy to it. The members of the Cave gallery have recently had collaborative shows with Cranbrook, and each group has exhibited in the other’s space.



Thanks again Andrew, and thanks to Dave Chow for the pics.

 

I got the call earlier this week from our own Dave Bamundo at the Wall Street Journal to do a piece on Oregon Pinots.

I had a great time working on this piece, and as always, had a great time working with Dave.

I picked up the paper yesterday, and it was great to see it reproduced in full color opposite Clint Eastwood. Just a side note, when i told my family to look for this, they wanted to see the URL before picking up the paper. I haven't had that response before. I don't take the paper, not because i am trying to be concious of the enivronment, but because i will never catch up with all of the reading. Well, come to think of it, that is a lot of paper!

Anyways, thanks Dave, it was a pleasure as always!

A little something that i am working on at the moment.

What is on your easel/drafting table/desktop/etc.?

I found an interesting site today when visiting Seth Godin's blog.

http://www.printthetruth.blogspot.com

Check it out and let me know what you think. An interesting idea.

ORPHAN WORKS BILL HOTLINED

Again.



THIS MEANS IT COULD PASS THE SENATE THIS AFTERNOON

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS IMMEDIATELY



ASK THEM TO VOTE NO ON THIS BILL:

S2913 THE SHAWN BENTLEY ORPHAN WORKS ACT OF 2008



ASK THEM TO PUT A "HOLD" ON THE BILL:

TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE THIS CONTROVERSIAL BILL

ASK THEM NOT TO PASS IT WITHOUT A FULL AND OPEN HEARING

WARN THEM THAT IT WILL DO GREAT HARM TO SMALL BUSINESSES



To find your Senators' phone numbers go to the Illustrators' Partnership Orphan Works site:



http://illustratorspartnership.capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/dbq/officials/



At the top of the home page, click on "Elected Officials"

You'll find a US map:

Click on your state,

Then "Senators,"

Then click on each Senator's name,

Then click "Contact."

This will give you their phone and fax numbers.



Please phone and fax them both immediately.

 

This painting is currently hanging in the University of Michigan's WORK gallery in Detroit. Paint on found wooden panel.

Summer is over and I can say that it was a great one, and that I got a lot of painting done, did a couple of readings and signings of my picture book, and had quality time with my wife and kids.



I had the time to paint for clients and myself as well.  I am looking forward to the next few weeks of fall. It is perfect weather for me to hang out in my garage studio and do some letterpress. I plan on developing the plates in the next few days from selected sketchbook drawings.



Some good news- my editor wrote me the other day and mentioned that You Can’t go to School Naked is going to be reprinted!



 

"While the death of most people is the end, Peter’s death was the beginning of life for so many people all over the world."



—Yousif Hanna Rofa, MD    Psychiatrist, PCAF Master    Baghdad, Iraq



I take this from the Peter C. Alderman Foundation website.



Peter Alderman was 25 when he along with many others lost their lives in the World Trade Center.



I learned of this foundation from watching Nightline the other night while trying to get my son to bed.



Alderman’s parents used the money they received from his death to set up this foundation. They have been successful in setting up a significant presence in the Sudan for example.



I was touched at how his parents honor his life by giving back to those who suffer from senseless acts of terrorism around the world.