Original Curt Swan Art Page

Somewhere around 20 years ago, I purchased a page of original art of Action Comics no. 405. It is the October 1971 issue.

The page was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Murphy Anderson (with backgrounds inked by Jack Abel). At the time I bought mine, original comic book art was not too expensive. Mine was $100. I have forgotten who the dealer was that I bought it from.

The page was signed by Swan. 

Today, Swan's original artwork, highly sought after, sells in the thousands of dollars. Key issue art commands more as do covers and splash pages. No, I don't plan on selling my page.

Here is the cover of the issue (by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano):

Here's the page I bought as it appeared in the comic book:

Here's the original artwork as it appears in my home:

John Wayne and Norman Rockwell

In 1973, John Wayne sat for artist Norman Rockwell in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts studio for a painting commissioned by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The painting later was auctioned in 2018 and the top bidder, a collector, successfully bid $1,496,000 at the Jackson Hole Art Auction.

Here is Wayne with Norman Rockwell as well as the finished painting:

Norman Rockwell passed away in 1978 and Wayne died a year later.

The Farm Painting: Start To Finish

Above, the finished painting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The idea for a special birthday present for Mitch Geriminsky for his 70th birthday came to me last June.

Since his has been great friend since we were 13 or 14 years old and he saved my bacon in Wells, Nevada five years ago, I thought I would have Asya do a painting of a farm. His home is decorated in a farm motif, which is why that was chosen. 

I wanted to have a gate with his name, so I came up with "Mitchell Farms" and have his age as the address number. 

I first sent her this rough sketch of what I had in mind:

 

She then used it to come up with her rough sketches on the layout:

She then bought the canvas in St. Petersburg, Russia:

Then she refined it on the canvas:

During this time, we sent each other photos of different farm and tractor photos we found online to use as guides. I had her eliminate the sun in the layout as it would cause shadowing issues. I also had Mitch's wife Holly in the loop during this process and she was able to keep it a secret.

In July, the painting was nearly finished:

Shortly thereafter, she sent it to me from St. Petersburg, Russia:

As our PayPal, Western Union and other money-sending companies were stymied from sending money to Russia due to the embargo, I was able to pay her for the painting when she was traveling in Cairo, Egypt.

It arrived in Jamestown, New Mexico in plenty of time for Mitch's birthday in October. He had visited here, during which the painting was safely hidden away. Now, it is at Hobby Lobby in Lake Havasu being framed. It should be ready tomorrow.

Painting Frame Selected

Above, the selected frame in the visualization monitor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Home sweet home! 

I am now back at home in Jamestown, New Mexico. It was a long drive, but I made it.

Before leaving Lake Havasu, Mitch Geriminsky and I went to Hobby Lobby to pick a frame for his birthday present painting. Asya had a work appointment, so she couldn't participate via a video call. 

Above, an assortment of picture frames at Hobby Lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hobby Lobby had more frame styles that I thought they would. Plus, they have a visualization device that puts the artwork in a frame electronically and it is shown on a monitor. That is a big help in selecting picture frames. 

Above, the visualization monitor. The top two is the frame we selected. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After looking at several different frames, we decided to go "rustic" and it boiled down to three frame possibilities. Mitch and I liked the one we selected (we also had a lady customer helping out and she agreed with us). 

Above, the selected frame style on the painting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I shot photos of the monitor with the different frame styles and sent them to Asya. Later in the day, while I was in Winslow, Arizona having a dinner break, she responded and said she supported our frame decision. The framing will be done by November 2.

I can't complain about the price either. The frame cost under $60.00.

At The Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Above, the calf-roping event at the Ceremonial's rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I headed over to Red Rock Park for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial (today's the last day). It is an annual event in which tribe get together with an art show, pow pow, dancing, singing, rodeo and vendors.

As I wandered around inside the convention hall, I ran Sandy, one of our monthly supper group members. She was volunteering at the ceremonial. We chatted for a bit.

Later, in one of the art rooms, I ran into artist Richard Yazzie and took pictures of him and his art display. He had already sold some of his artworks, so he was happy.

After checking out the vendors tables, I headed over to the rodeo arena and watched some of the events such as the breakaway, calf-roping and bronco riding. 

I did pick up a rodeo t-shirt for myself.

I may head back over again today. 

Above, the outdoor vendor area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Richard Yazzie's art display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Richard Yazzie at his display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, some of the food vendors. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a performer at the ampitheater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the breakaway rodeo event. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another breakaway contestant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the bronco-riding event. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, I ran into this gal at the Flying J earlier. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the calf tie-down. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, this calf put up a good struggle during the tie-down. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the tribal pow wow area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the t-shirt I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jamestown Navajo Artist Richard Yazzie

This morning, I went up the hill to Jamestown Navajo artist Richard Yazzie's home to assist him in loading up his SUV with paintings he is displaying at this year's Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park.

The Ceremonial opens today and runs through August 13.

While there, we chatted about art and the southwest. I showed him some of Asya's work, which impressed him.

To see an article on Yazzie from the Navajo Times from last year, go here.

I took a few photos as we were loading up the SUV.

Artsy-Fartsy

For the past several days, I have been collaborating with Asya on an art project (layout, suggestions, etc.).

She is currently in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia and is working on it there. We are in regular contact via WhatApp.

So far, things are progressing nicely.

Above, Asya recently in St. Petersburg.

Neal Adams Passing One Year Anniversary

Above, Neal Adams and fans at the 2012 Comikaze Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that a year has already flown by since the passing of legendary comic book artist Neal Adams in New York at age 80.

He died in his sleep from complications of sepsis. This was also the cause of death of my mom thirteen years ago. 

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo,

Adams was known for his definitive artwork on Batman and for his work on Superman, Deadman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow.

I had the honor of meeting him at Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles in 2012. 

The man may be gone, but his artwork still lives on.

It's The Josey Wales!

 

Above, a nice painting of Clint Eastwood as outlaw Josey
 Wales by Theodora Capat.  It was posted on Facebook.

7 Fantastic Places To Find Authentic Navajo Art

Above, Navajo and other tribal rugs on display at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This coming week, I am going to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the route I am taking will take me by the Hubbell Trading Post near Ganado, Arizona. I plan to stop there while I'm in "the neighborhood."

I was planning to visit the trading post two years ago, but on the weekend I was to go, it and other places were shut down due to the pandemic.

It and other trading posts in the Four Corners are the subject of an article by TravelAwaits on seven "fantastic" places to find authentic Navajo art in Arizona and New Mexico. I have been to the second and third places on the list: Richardson Trading Post on Historic Route 66 and the Gallup Flea Market.

They start with:

For more than a century, the Hubbell Trading Post and others like it on the Navajo Nation have been the go-to spots for finding distinctive Navajo art. You’ll find everything from handwoven rugs to beautifully embossed pottery and elaborate silver-and-turquoise jewelry. The good news is that a handful of the original trading posts are still in operation, offering a remarkable array of goods and artworks.

Dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, trading posts long served as gathering places where Navajo people brought their blankets, rugs, and woven baskets to trade for needed goods like flour, coffee, sugar, and tools. Today, the historic businesses on the Navajo Nation continue to offer world-famous Navajo artwork.

Another place worth checking out is the monthly Navajo Rug Auction in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Along with Navajo rugs, they also have pottery, jewelry and other items by different tribes. I found some good deals there.

To read more, go here.

Rapidograph Technical Art Pens

A little bit ago, I was telling Asya the joys of using Koh-I-Noor Rapidogaph technical pens.

She said she's never had any experience with these, so I gave her the rundown on them.

Basically, they are pens with nibs (points) of varying thicknesses that are filled with India ink of their formulation. I think the ink is thinner than standard India inks in order for it flow through the nib onto the paper. They are great for drawing, especially in drawing lines. They can do this with rulers that brushes cannot.

The set I have I bought back when I was attending art classes at El Camino College in the early 1970s. They work just as well today as they did back then. They are fun to use.

Here's a set of rapidograph pens:

To view vendors for rapidograph pens, go here and here.

Behind The Drawing Board

Above, at the drawing board today.

Since we are having inclement weather out (we're having sporadic downpours), it is a good time to get behind the drawing board and do some sketching. A text exchange discussion with Asya today on her current art project got me motivated to get busy.

I have the drawing board set up in the living room with bay windows behind me providing some great lighting.

What I am working on now is based on an idea J. D. Lees of G-FAN gave me a few months ago in an email. 

There's a few things I have to re-learn since it has been a few years since I did anything more than just doodle. I am admittedly rusty.

Paul Levitz's "Neal Adams: Force of Nature - An Appreciation"

Above, Paul Levitz and Mrs. Jerome Siegel at the Superman week
 luncheon in Los Angeles, July 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When his "big burst" upon the comics scene came around 1967-68, my first reaction was neither liking his work nor hating it. It was just so different. Later, when he started drawing Batman and Deadman stories, his work really grew on me.

Above, Superman #204 cover by Neal Adams.

Neal Adams was a giant in the comic book industry. His passing two days ago caused a huge outpouring of appreciation of his artistic talent and leadership in artists' rights that revolutionized the comic book industry.

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

One such outpouring of appreciation came from former DC Comics President Paul Levitz that was posted at 13th Dimension. It is an excellent read. 

It begins with:

Comics has lost a force of nature. Neal Adams was a magnificent artist, but that might have been the least of his talents. It would have been enough if he had just been an artist, of course: being one of the two newcomers to comics in the 1960s (with Jim Steranko) that rekindled the aspirations of a generation to reshape the pages of comics; drawing the definitive Batman that Neal would argue with his customary modesty would make possible billions of dollars of revenue for the company; moving the world of American comic art back from design (exemplified by Carmine Infantino) and exaggerated cartooning (as leaped from the pencil of Jack Kirby) to a new balance of dynamism and illustration; and entertaining so many millions of us.

To read the rest of Levitz's appreciation of Neal Adams, go here. 

Comics Great Neal Adams Dies At 80

Above, Neal Adams and yours truly at the 2012 Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Very sad news!

It is the kind of news that forces one to shout, "Aw, f*ck!"

Comic book artist great Neal Adams has passed away at age 80. He was the man who created the definitive Bronze Age Batman for DC Comics.

Don Glut posted the following on Facebook:

I just heard the sad news that artist Neal Adams -- who  back in the 1960s changed the look of comics -- has died at 80.  Neal illustrated one of my earliest professional stories, "Goddess from the Sea," in VAMPIRELLA #1. What a thrill it was for novice me to open that magazine and find that Neal had done the art for one of  my stories - and made it so much better than it actually was. And I'm so glad that last year -- finally --  in his Crusty Bunkers comic book shop right here in Burbank, CA, he autographed my original copy of that issue.

He also posted:

FYI, I just received this email message from Jim Steranko: Yeah, I was the first that Chris Adams called with the bad news. No prolonged suffering; he died in his sleep about 2-3 in the morning. Don't believe I can accept it—just cannot imagine the Comix World without Neal. At last weekend's show, a couple fanboys mentioned stories about he and I being adversaries—completely fabricated for PR hacking. Even though we were both hard-headed, opinionated SOBs, we NEVER had a negative word between us. Never!!! And I attributed that mostly to Neal!"

I was privileged to meet Neal Adams at the 2012 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  

I heard he was in ill health in recent months, but this was totally unexpected, at least to me. This is a big loss for comic book fans.

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. 

New Drawing Board

Above, the new drawing board mounted on the tabletop easel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new drawing board I ordered a few days ago from Hobby Lobby has arrived.

I mounted it on the tabletop easel and it is a good fit. Before I can get started on anything, the supplies I also ordered has to arrive. They are slated to arrive this coming Monday, at least that's according to the USPS.

J. D. Lees gave me an idea (he doesn't know just what I have in mind) for an illustration for G-FAN. He  doesn't seem to remember a drawing I submitted, and was published, for G-FAN years ago. Well, to be honest, I almost forgot about it myself, it's been so long.

Drawing Stuff

Above, the drawing stuff after getting them out of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After this morning's breakfast/coffee gathering at Denny's down at the Flying J, did some more reading of  Curt Swan: A Life In Comics.

When I was done with that, I headed to the garage to get my art equipment and supplies out. The drawing bug has been building up for some time, and the Swan book got me even more motivated. Previously, I had no time for drawing due my work hours. Now that I'm retired, I can get back into it again.

Above, I have plenty of drawing paper and bristol paper. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Going through the art box and my tabletop easel's drawer after cleaning them, I found that some items needed replacing. The India inks were all dried up and I needed new brushes and pens. Along with those, I need a new drawing board. I had one for around 50 years when I took the Famous Artists course back in the 1970s. I tossed it when I moved as it had gotten old, chipped and cracked. One good thing I discovered, the Rapidograph ink was still good. I have plenty of pencils.

So, I ordered a new board and the other stuff. Luckily, I still have a good supply of drawing paper and bristol paper. 

It'll be nice to get back to drawing again. It has been a while.

Curt Swan: A Life In Comics

Ever go to your bookcase to get a specific book to read and it's nowhere to be found?

This happened to me about a week ago when I went to get my copy of Curt Swan: A Life In Comics (2002, by Eddy Zeno) to read. It was nowhere to be found.

I hadn't read the book since I lived in California, so I didn't notice it was missing. Now I have. 

It may still be around somewhere, but since I wasn't sure, I decided to order another copy through Alibris (I already have an account with them). I ordered it last week and it arrived in the mail yesterday. The price was reasonable enough: $24.73 (hardcover). I think my original copy was the trade paperback.

Above, yours truly enjoying the book yesterday.

I started reading it as soon as I got home from the post office and the time passed quickly (about 2 hours) and, before I knew it, it was time to start dinner.

Even if my original copy turns up, I have no regrets ordering another copy. It is an excellent book with lots of examples of Swan's work. I highly recommend it.