MULEY FOR MAYOR!!

In November, we'll be voting for the Mayor of Memphis.  Muley wants to have that position.  No clue why, but he does.  I think it says a lot about a city when a 6 year old talking mule wants to try and fix it.  So, recently, he went downtown and submitted his Application for Mayor.

SUPERMAN CELEBRATION 2011 - A Photo Montage

Rather than setting up a photo gallery somewhere, we wanted to offer a video montage of images from our trip to the 2011 Superman Celebration.  But, not to be left out, Muley decided he wanted to narrate the images.  Yay.  Never give a 6 year old a microphone and say, "Okay."

Superman Celebration is held each year in Metropolis, IL, during the 2nd weekend of June.  If you haven't been, you should go!  It's always fun, and we always say that if you go to Metropolis and don't leave with at least one new friend you did something wrong.  Everyone is so nice there:  the locals, the visitors, the stars...you'll want to live there.

We love going back each year to see our old friends and make new ones.  There is always something to do and something to learn. 

This year, Muley was able to perform his show "Muley's Talent(less) Revue" and he also emceed the kids' costume contest.  Up and down the street, he stopped for photographs and visited with the attendees, some from as far away as France.

We live in Artists Alley & Writer's Way which hosted Muley, Kevin L. Williams, Martheus and Janet Wade and DaMarco Randle.  There was a slew of other great artists, writers, and more!  We're always thankful to the City of Metropolis, IL, for the trip and friendships!

(By the way, if Muley annoys you like he does me, you can turn the sound down and hum the Superman Theme yourself.)

Learn more about Superman Celebration by clicking here.
Our friends, the Wades, can also be found at http://www.toshigawa.com/.

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Tools and Techniques: The Light Table

Way too long ago, I needed a light table and so that rendered me needing to construct one (because it is less costly).  The next big thing I had to do was to discover what items I needed:
-16x20 Picture Frame
-1x4" wood
-16x20" presswood
-Under-the-counter light
-White paint

I formed the 1x4" wood to fit the size of the wooden picture frame (leaving a notch underneath so the under-the-counter light cord can fit through it).  Next, I nailed the presswood for the bottom and then painted the entire inside white (to cause the light to reflect outward later).  Then, I nailed the frame (open side up so I can get into the light box later) to the 1x4" wood.  Next, I attached the under-the-counter light on the inside of the lightbox, closest to the side where I plan to do the majority of the drawing on it.  Finally, I added the picture frame on top (after taking the glass out).  It is positioned so I can replace the glass later (it is my suggestion to also get some plexiglass that can be placed under the glass--this is so you can use the glass to also cut things with an Xacto if needed, and the plexiglass supports the glass).

And for the grande finale, I painted the exterior blue and yellow, my "corporate colors."  The result: a light table that I've used since the early 1990's.

I hope that this information is helpful and lends you to making your own light table.  If you have any questions, please feel free to post them below or visit us on Facebook.

LOLLIPOP TREES EXIST!!

Growing up and in college, folks would tell me that I was drawing the trees all wrong.  In college is when the title "lollipop trees" first came into discussion about my round-top foliage on the thin body of the tree.  "No tree looks like this," the instructor told me in painting.  "Yes, it does," I replied.  "Charles Schulz draws the Kite-eating Tree this way.  If he does it, it exists." 

Nope, I was told it did not exist and I needed to work on my trees.  So, instead, I began doing something a little different.  But, recently and NOW I think I've changed my mind. 

You might say Lollipop Trees don't exist, but nature says they do!!