tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263715921415286012024-03-13T03:05:38.154-05:00Michael ZulliMichael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-84858916327926895022012-04-27T11:06:00.000-05:002012-04-27T11:07:05.240-05:00Fracture of the Universal Boy: Right Here and Right Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Fracture of the Universal Boy</i>, available somewhere besides your local comics shop!
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After twenty odd years making art and comics, Zulli believes that there are universal truths to be found amid the struggle and calling to make art, and indeed, to life itself. Often brutal, sometimes a bit funny, and always surreal as it examines life from a different perspective, <i>The Fracture of the Universal Boy</i> is Zulli's personal reflection on love, life and art; and both the damage done and the possibility of transcending even the most dire and difficult of times.<br />
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</form>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-67207679447234573622011-12-31T15:57:00.002-06:002011-12-31T16:29:34.395-06:00THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, here we go, the obligatory end of year wrap up.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hate this shit. It honestly seems so arbitrary and ultimately useless.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But my culture sort of demands it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lately I've been trying very hard to escape this feeling that the quantum conscience of god, aliens of a far superior race, or just plan entropy has their hands or tentacles or whatever poised on the handle and any moment now we will all begin the counter-clockwise rotation on the great water slide.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If any advanced whatever even cares.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, with that in mind, and if we make it, here are a few things I look forward to. Of course this is in no particular order.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: My ship, (or more accurately my dingy.) has come into the harbor but has not docked yet. "Boy" is out and after far to many years I may actually get paid something for the sweat, pain agony and dashed hopes I endured for far, far to long to make it happen. I will need to invest a substantial portion of it in re-outfitting my studio so I can really make things worth,(hopefully.) the effort involved in making them. That includes a whole new book, far, far different but in many ways quite similar to the last one. This time I hope I don't have to stop every week or two to pimp myself on ebay. That would be a true blessing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B: the release of Caitlin R.Kiernans magnificent "The Drowning Girl: a Memoir." To say I am overjoyed at having however small a part in the promotional aspects of this unholy masterpiece pleases me to no end. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">C: the "Panel to Panel" book by my friend John Rovnak, including work by my former New England squad of artists and writers. At least twice a year I get hit with terrible nostalgia for the old granite hills of New England. You must support his efforts. www.paneltopanel.net.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D: the still possible, though as of now somewhat remote showing in one place of the artwork for "Boy" I'd really like that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">E: the total revamping of my web-site. For a long time now it's served me well, but it's time has come and the need for a new face on the web for me is becoming more than a general spruce up, but a necessity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There, off the top of my head, "things to look forward to. That is if we all don't wink out of existence tomorrow morning.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Late dear ones,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-64409387861938400722011-12-09T15:53:00.002-06:002011-12-09T16:04:26.075-06:00...THICK AS A BRICK.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><pre><a name="ThickAsABrickEdit1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></a><a name="ThickAsABrickextract"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> "Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper -- your deafness a SHOUT. I may make you feel but I can't make you think. Your sperm's in the gutter -- your love's in the sink. So you ride yourselves over the fields and you make all your animal deals and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick. And the sand-castle virtues are all swept away in the tidal destruction the moral melee. The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way. But your new shoes are worn at the heels and your suntan does rapidly peel and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick. And the love that I feel is so far away: I'm a bad dream that I just had today -- and you shake your head and say it's a shame."</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Ian Anderson, "thick as a brick."</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Yeah, it's a damn shame.</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Look forewords to those credit card bills come January. At least the lights and whatnot are pretty, and the change dropped into a</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">salvation army pot mitigates some guilt. Ah, well, new things, ( "Opium") coming along slowly but well. </span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Work to live, live to work.</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Happy Holidays!</span></pre><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">M.Z.</span></pre><pre></pre><pre></pre></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-27485549457229652482011-10-15T16:59:00.002-05:002011-10-15T17:15:52.158-05:00PAGLIACCI, PIERROT, CYRANO.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Odds and ends time once more my friends.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: I've got a raging case of strep throat, the kind that's dangerous. To top it off, I'm allergic to many forms of anti biotics which means that besides being sick as a dog, I'm sick as a dog.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B: <b><i>I have absolutely no idea</i></b> if "Boy" is in comics shops or not, and how many we sold through diamond. Would somebody write and tell me <i>please</i>. Thanks. I need the income to throw back into the next book, like NOW.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">C: The filming for the short film/ book trailer for <i>"The Drowning Girl: a Memoir"</i> is being filmed, acted and photographed as I write. I feel absolutely blessed to have played a part, however small in helping to make something wonderful. I'm totally hooked on Caitlin's writing </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and even Karen, who seriously prefers her fiction OLD, is taken by "The Red Tree". That's saying something. If you've never read anything by her, that would be a great place to start.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D: That's it. I'm done. Feeling miserable and just worn out. <i>Nobodies</i> talking and it's driving me around the bend. I thought friends talked to you. At least <i>sometimes</i>. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But what do I know?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take care oh, my people, whoever you are.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-28617159908843003342011-09-16T13:59:00.002-05:002011-09-16T14:18:55.789-05:00BOYS ON DRUGS AND OTHER FILTHY THINGS.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hhmm, bet that got your attention you that notice at all.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A quick word about "Fracture of the Universal Boy".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Imagine a walnut.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">you hold it in your hand, and feel the smooth crenelated surface. You</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fell it's weight in your hand, notice as it warms, it gives off a subtle nutty fragrance.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You might if so inclined, pop it into your mouth and roll it around a bit. Not very tasty, but </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">kind of interesting none the less.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, if you do the work, crack it open you have the meat, the <i>essence</i> of the nut at your disposal.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Boy", is like that nut. <i>Nothing on the outside is worth anything</i>. If, however you extend a little </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">effort, what's really going on parts like veils. And believe me there are a <i>lot</i> of them to part.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is <i>really</i> why I'm here: today, <i>September sixteenth, two thousand and eleven, at seven fifty seven AM, I officially started "Opium: variations for quill and vapor."</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I write this I have already penciled three pages of the prologue, and will have the rest finished by days end.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have waited and planned for this day for over six months. Today. <i>Exactly.</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I may not, at the moment have a pot to piss in, but I have seldom been happier.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have this rare and fragile thing, newly born in my hands and as the days go by, I will be there as it gets stronger and stronger until IT tells ME what to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, mark this day well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I suspect it will take about a year give or take, and I will undoubtedly suffer the torments of the damned from time to time, as well as flights of unbelievable freedom.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At least I hope so.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will keep you posted, and if the whim takes me, a preview now and again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-2453484499884705062011-09-08T17:13:00.002-05:002011-09-08T17:24:43.195-05:00TROUT.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gods, (whichever you prefer.) what a day.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I spent nearly all day in the studio flopping around like a beached trout gasping for air for an IDEA, and idea. I started two different things only to very, very quickly dispose of them before they caused my eyes to bleed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, my dear old muse came back from Ikea with a brand spanking new IDEA.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I gotta hand to the old dear, she occasionally comes up with a whopper.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It seems I am not done with my run on subjects in, and around water. So, for the next week or so I will be sailing the stormy seas on a doomed clipper ship. What fun!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then, oh yes, and then, I get to start the new book, "Opium: variations for quill and vapor."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, at least the prologue. After that, I need to wait a bit for some ship, <i>any</i> ship to come in, hell, even a leaky skiff, so I can purchase the needed paper. Then it's full sail for the next <i>YEAR</i> to get this monster out of my head.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hey kids! "Graphic Novels" are fun! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What a life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-35225219911719827382011-09-07T16:54:00.002-05:002011-09-07T17:13:08.927-05:00Done and Dusted.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Hello fellow travelers.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">A brief studio update coming down the tracks.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">For the last four or five weeks I've been painting as another person, and artist who died in 1907.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">I needed to do two paintings one described in a novel, and another I need to make up in the same style but not described basically at all except in passing as "lost".</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Funny thing about pseudonyms, They grow on you. I found myself actually feeling as if someone else was at the wheel, or leaning over my right shoulder from ectoplasmic otherwhere desperately trying to make my hands move differently and occasionally trying to </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">force</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"> them to behave contrary</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">to the way I wanted them to move. A kind of artificial possession.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">But, I finished them both this afternoon and so must roll up "Philip" and get back to being me.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Needless to say, it has been one of the more interesting things I have done in years and years.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Tomorrow I go back to the studio room and try and figure out what I need to do, as nothing looms on my creative horizon. I think I'll miss the dead guy. But I really wouldn't want to make a habit out of it. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Just chalk it up as "fun while it lasted".</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Hopefully you will begin seeing them in one form or another in the next few months.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">I'd like that. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">But for now, I have to work my back from the twilight zone.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">Thanks for listening.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;">M.Z.</span></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-50611329629515752992011-09-06T17:28:00.002-05:002011-09-06T17:37:07.125-05:00The Drowning Girl: a Memoir.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Really just whipped today. So I'll just keep it very, very brief.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are a few days yet to go on Caitlin R. Kiernan's and kyle Cassidy's kickstarter</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Campaign to bring an amazing novel to a whole new level. I really urge you, if you can spare</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a few bucks to get on board asap. I've been lucky enough to read it in advance of publishing</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and since then, been personally involved with helping where my talents are the most use.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been a true pleasure so once again, if you can, get over there and give a little and get a whole lot more back. Okay?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh, I'd include a link but frankly I'm just not one of those people who gets how to do that sort of thing on the laptop I have. You'll have no trouble finding it, I am sure.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carry on brave soldiers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-17482312968068523922011-09-05T17:57:00.002-05:002011-09-05T18:10:33.620-05:00Dispatches from the front.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before I go any further, I would like to sort of apologize for dunning </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">everybody for commissions. As I learned from my Rep, Ryan this morning</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and it's not really news, but things are tough all over. Real tough.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, as my father taught me, you'll never know unless you ask, right?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, that's what I mean by, "sort of" apologize. I had to ask. And yeah, things are tough all over.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Consider the subject closed, okay? I get it. Or, don't as the case may be.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's cool.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Onward. A great day painting. Discovered a problem I will fix tomorrow. That's good.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's when you don't discover them that it's time to plan a Viking funeral. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Orders are in from comics shops for "Fracture" and I'm basically pleased. We made a good dent in the twenty five hundred books we ordered. So, that's just peachy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sorry for the lack luster post today, but art is a kind of lonely business and on a good day things kind of creep along and incremental changes accrue on a surface in front of your eyes until it's time to wipe everything down and call it a day.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Like watching paint dry you know?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Behave,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-73549402165388804992011-09-03T17:36:00.002-05:002011-09-03T17:56:30.352-05:00Really Zed.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spent most of the day preparing the paper,( 300 lbs. hot press watercolor paper to be exact.) for painting tomorrow. Tomorrow.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I get so damn impatient I could ram nails in my eyes or something. Granted if you are to paint one must ground your surface well, or goodbye painting. Basically I have no problem doing the grunt work when it calls for it, but dead god sometimes I really long for the days when I actually had a well stocked studio. I would just go over to the corner and pick out a fresh new Masonite panel,( I've always preferred panels to canvas.) and get right to it. These days I just have to adapt to current conditions as best I can. But it's just so fucking frustrating sometimes you know?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I could have spent all day actually painting something instead of waiting to paint something.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oh, I hate it when I whine about these things. Just don't get me started on the conditions of the paint I'm using. Half of it are these ridiculous little bottle of "craft paint" as they are called. They cost $2.50 at the local hardware store. Probably have a half life of a week. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah, well, better than nothing I suppose. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even the paper is cannibalized from a thing I started several months ago and stopped when I realized it was to stupid to go on with. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I should have been a writer. I mean, how much does a few Bic pens and a ream of paper cost?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reporting from down there in Zedsville, yours truly,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-77918694883837900752011-09-01T16:55:00.002-05:002011-09-01T17:26:58.949-05:00At least it's not still August.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just finished for the day. Really really painting again.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which, is very much not like what I normally do, or at least what you all out there see me doing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the business I'm in, there has be very little if any real need to actually paint. Oh, I've used paint on things, but I'm talking about a completely different form of painting. This is more like honest classical work done in the 1880's or "90's. Not much call for that shit these days.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, aesthetically speaking, no robots, no nudes with guns, or whatever it is I've done before.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I used to paint much like this thirty years ago before I changed my mind and decided comics were the to go.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm fucking rusty as hell, but the chops are still there. Oh, and as I remember, when I am finished for the day, I am nerved up to incredible levels and feel like I am missing a vital piece of myself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Work like this stuff always leaves me somehow essentially drained. Badly. And a bit bitchy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As soon as I wind down, it'll be fine, but for an hour or two, it's one of those, "don't try and pet the dog sleeping in the corner, he bites."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, to answer a question or two from the last post: you will be able to purchase "Fracture" at any self respecting comic book/ media store late this month, I think. Um, not the store bit, the time bit. Please buy lots. I mean it. Since I finished it in '09, things have been really tight 'round these parts. That's all I have to say about that. I hate to sound like I'm whining. But it's easy to do when you owe half the civilized world a lot of money. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And, lets see, thank you for taking a rose. You know who you are. I like being wrong about shit like that. I have always thought of myself and my personal artistic territory to be that of a true romantic, not the kind that has been cheapened by modern media but very, very old school.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Like the night in Geneva when Shelly and Byron and company scared the crap out of each other and true Gothic literature was born.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THAT kind of romantic.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And while I am at it, The painting(s) and stuff I'm currently involved in with Caitlin and Kyle, I am basically doing for the shear love of art. The "Drowning Girl: a Memoir" is absolutely one of the finest novels I've ever had the pleasure to read. It's goddamn dangerous as hell and simply exquisite. This coming March, buy that bloody book as if hell hound were on your trail.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the paintings are some, if not the single finest stuff I've ever done. Now, don't quote me, but I believe there are plans for multi-media events in the works for the book launch that considering the talent involved, will blow your heads clean off. I MIGHT even show up. You never know. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, you kids behave, daddy has a headache.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be back as soon as possible.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ps: where's that damn commission i asked for? seriously. you know you want to, right?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">m.z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-16774134713995091642011-08-28T17:13:00.002-05:002011-08-28T17:51:27.267-05:00Back and very Black.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been a very long time. I suspect most of you don't come here any more.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's okay, though a bit disappointing but I don't blame you.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'd split too.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It started with a massive workload and progressed to my computers keyboard</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">taking a swam dive into nowheresville. I simply couldn't get back online and it took almost two months to find a replacement for the damn thing. It's old and with Mac's old is the cardinal sin.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm basically here again for better or worse depending on how friendly you are.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To keep things in perspective just a bit I will run down a few of the things twisted little me has been up to.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it's been a while and I never go back and see what I've previously mentioned so if this gets redundant chalk it up advancing senility.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The gallery show at Nucleus went at least to the fine Eidolon Fine Arts, really well, but to me it still rankles a bit. I sold nothing after fifteen weeks of backbreaking work that I still love a lot.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Basically I felt like an overdressed idiot. I had no idea gallery shows were on the whole, just something to do for the civilians to do after they'd discovered that there was nothing on television. To me, it felt very special so I dressed. Stupid.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As was usual, when I show work comics stuff or otherwise, I give out roses. A memento or just a gesture of appreciation. I couldn't even give them away. It's my opinion now that people are so jaded that a token of thanks is looked at with deep suspicion if it's looked at at all.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Really sad. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fracture of the Universal Boy is now a real, utterly beautiful book Due out next month sometime. I have no idea if it has any "buzz" or whatever it's called, but after almost two years of screwing around it lives as I intended it to from the first moment I put pen to paper.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the same note, the second volume in the series of three interlocking ,(though vastly different books.) begins this month and without having to slog commissions on Ebay, it should take far less time than the three years it took to do the first on. You buy my book and I'll give you even better ones. A pact signed in blood sweat and tears my friends.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just finished an eight page story with Neil due out in November sometime through IDW.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I thinks it's one of the best things I've ever done, so look for it and tell me what you think.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And just lately I have been experimenting with different methods of painting that are really encouraging and have made me happy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the kicker is I am working the the fabulous Caitlin R. Kiernan and the astonishing Kyle Cassidy on a multi media gig to embellish Her new Novel, "The Drowning Girl, a memoir."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is simply one of the top five novels I've read in many many years, and I am deeply honored to be a part, however small in the event. I've been called on to produce some of the best work I've ever had the opportunity to do. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I really urge you to attend any or all events surrounding the books release and BUY THE DAMN BOOK. It's simply not in my vocabulary to describe it. It is so far from the envelope it off the carts. Serious man. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, besides mentioning that I am up for at least ONE commission, ( as usual please contact Ryan Graff at Eidolon Fine Arts for the commission process.) all I can say is that my head feels like a jar full of bees. So much art, so little time you know?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can't tell just when I'll be back, but hopefully no to long this time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please take care, and be kind to each other. But somebody a rose. Fuck it, it a nice thing to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-46869941509934851122011-05-31T11:40:00.002-05:002011-05-31T11:48:13.901-05:00R.I.P.<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">My computer.<br />Pushing up daises.<br />Kaputski.<br />Doornail.<br />Dead as,...<br /><br />You get it right?<br /><br />Never buy a used ibook on ebay. At least I won't again.<br /><br />So, until further notice, to my friends who have my number, or to all of<br />you nice people out there, my emailing abilities will be sporadic.<br />Right now I am on the house PC, and it is used mostly by Karen as she Skypes<br />and Etsy's at odd times and my notebook was supposed to free us both up to do things online<br />without interfering with the other.<br /><br />Sorry. When I have the funds to replace my dead, moribund fuck up of a notebook<br />I'll be back as usual.<br /><br />Don't shed on the furniture while I'm gone, okay?<br /><br />M.Z.<br /></span></span></span>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-74057506154415076282011-05-22T15:21:00.002-05:002011-05-22T15:58:15.590-05:00THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT COMMISSIONS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People have been lately writing me a lot lately and asking for considerably cheaper commissioned work. They invariably comment that they wish they could afford my prices.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The sad fact is that even at a thousand dollars I barely make under half of that. Why?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well I am "self employed". Freelance. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The average commission takes me two weeks or more give or take. This is seven days a week, Six to ten hours a day. Frankly, I work my balls off. I don't "slog off" <i>anything</i>. I take what I do for me, and for you very, <i>very</i> seriously. I always deliver. <i><b>Always.</b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At say five hundred a week out of that comes a lovely thing the government likes to call, "Self employment tax" as well as social security tax, plus state tax. Add that with the cost of the best materials I can afford plus Eidolon's cut and I end up with a whisker over minimum wage.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Viewed this way, a thousand turns into a deal. I need at least one commission a month to make ends meet and then just barely. I am not by any means some prick swimming in filthy loot.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If it wasn't for quarterly royalty payment from past work, I'd be homeless. That's a fact.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The reason I now have top shelf representation is because Eidolon works very, very hard on ensuring my future as a free artist with the ability to grow personally and professionally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I need somebody watching my back if I am to progress. I owe a lot to Ryan and Eidolon. If not for them, my book "Fracture of the Universal Boy would<i> never</i> have seen the light of day, or if it did, it would have been a pitiful <i>shadow</i> of what you will all be able to purchase come September.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would dearly love to be able to give you all wonderful images for nothing or next to, that's just honestly who I am. But reality bites and the cost of just being alive can be staggering. Believe me, I have no television, no cell phone, no ipad, no digital camera, no swimming pool, or ATV to go gallivanting about the woodlands. I haven't bought a pair of shoes in two years and I wear basically thrift store finds. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, that's okay as long as my family is taken care of and there is decent food on the table.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you want a low, (very low compared to other artists.) priced drawing from me, <i>please </i>come see me at San Diego or someplace like it. Hey, I know I have been less than visible these last few years, but that is changing very rapidly. I love to meet you, all of you people who have supported me over the years, and that being said, is why I will often draw you something at cons or in stores for next to nothing. I <i>truly</i> appreciate it. I need you all very much.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, if you want something from me, just goggle EIDOLON FINE ARTS, and write to Ryan and ask....if I can, I will. Okay? Promise.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With much love,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-91349265070696864972011-05-21T16:13:00.002-05:002011-05-21T16:50:12.171-05:00IN MEMORY OF...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To illustrate the massive disconnect between me and the rest of the comics world, a very intense and personal thing happened this week that just today I learned of.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The passing of Jeffery Catherine Jones.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was in nineteen eighty,(four?) five I bought three books from, at least to my experience, a new and wonderful thing: <i>the comics shop</i>. Up until that point in time I had no idea something like that existed. It was as if a <i>bomb</i> was detonated in my head. I simply couldn't grasp it. That day I went a little crazy and spent what for my at that time was an enormous amount of money on three book.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, and issue of Epic Illustrated, and The Studio.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My world was never the same.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had to <i>do</i> THAT...what <i>they</i> did. Make beautiful comics and paintings and drawings and anything else that I could manage. From that experience came The Puma Blues.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think if you are reading this you pretty much know the rest.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was in the very late nineties that I hit my personal wall and broke into thousands of little bits.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In an effort to work my way back to wholeness, I emailed Jeffery Catherine, basically pleading to help. She <i>did</i>. For a period of about a month I would ask questions about painting and she would write back, sometimes terse, other times with obvious compassion. I valued those emails as a starving man would food. A banquet of new ideas, things undreamed and the possibility that I could indeed be someday even better than I was. I owe a <i>huge</i> debt of thanks to her that I suddenly can never repay, ever. And the thing that really troubles me is I didn't know until today.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>How could I not know? Why didn't somebody tell me?</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was through her I had the absolute nerve to write to who is now someone I consider a friend and in an odd, informal way, a kind of offhand mentor, Barry Windsor-Smith. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The more I think the bigger the debt grows.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A sad thing: when I moved out to the Mid West from New England in '03, I had to leave my library behind in what I thought was safe keeping until I was settled. I had an extensive library of Jones's work that I miss terribly some days. You see, moving a house full of stuff is paid for by the pound, and pound for pound books weight a LOT. I only had so much to spend and the books had to stay. I had a <i>lot</i> of books. Well, they disappeared, along with a huge resource of memories and comfort that I cannot replace. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She's dead and there <i>is</i> no replacement. It's rather fitting.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We must go on without a little less light. And damn it to hell, the world is getting pretty dim these days.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have taken the day off. I should be working. I just keep thinking of that day when I got an answer back.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fuck.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-66812690825817510312011-05-17T14:22:00.003-05:002011-05-17T14:31:08.663-05:00PLEASE!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85u2Cv4UxIB8s_zEXh3N7o2r3f6aM2UHW8wEXxADEuJYe7sVszWEIVQRER7mp1TG7SyXbS8HCaPSgbKQoTWEHfQJjW3-iBO_nHz-6h150LuKJclMbPj8Tm9xCnTVZScWLcO-kGCjcP8qa/s1600/main.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85u2Cv4UxIB8s_zEXh3N7o2r3f6aM2UHW8wEXxADEuJYe7sVszWEIVQRER7mp1TG7SyXbS8HCaPSgbKQoTWEHfQJjW3-iBO_nHz-6h150LuKJclMbPj8Tm9xCnTVZScWLcO-kGCjcP8qa/s320/main.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607769811653976338" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Today both my dogs went into surgery to remove tumors.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The local vet has kindly extended a line of credit because we can't pay for it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I NEED A COMMISSION. MAYBE TWO. Please consider it. I'll entertain any reasonable request what so ever. Yeah, even fucking <i>Batman</i>. I <i>mean</i> it. I'll temporarily <i>reduce</i> prices also.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Those of you who know me know how dearly I love my girls. Just right to Ryan Graff C/O </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Eidolon Fine Arts and ask. It's a piece of cake. Really.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">From my heart,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">M.Z. </span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-76558669412417255312011-05-14T16:29:00.002-05:002011-05-14T16:32:10.591-05:00ATTENTION!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have just put the final post, including the final image of the "Burning Brightly" piece up at the "working" site. It is not overly long, but it does contain a surprise or two. Pop over and check it out.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would appreciate it and so would the tigers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-71421833075824261812011-05-13T17:08:00.002-05:002011-05-13T17:46:10.059-05:00NATURE OR NURTURE.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I painted a portrait of my father today. It left me in tears.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My father passed away over a decade ago. We left each other on excellent terms.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which to be frank, was not always the case. I am deeply thankful, we came to understand each other in the years before he died. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It happened quite out of nowhere, largely due to the fact I had put a toned ground on a piece of work I am doing in between major projects and I didn't want to have to sit around for several hours waiting for it to set enough to continue. I had, several years ago, roughed out, (very rough indeed.) a small-ish canvas planning on doing a portrait of him for myself. As a completely impulse decision I dug around and found it with a couple of orphans in a corner and just started with the limited colors I had laid out for the other thing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The thing I wonder about most is the fact I barely remember painting it. It just seemed to appear out of thin air. And, it's the man himself without a doubt. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When it was over I was shaking and in tears.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was so involved in the process I lost myself to the point of nearly negating conscience thought running on almost total instinct. This has happened only a handful of times with fingers left over in the thirty odd years I have been painting. You will never see it, except perhaps after I am myself dead and someone puts out a "life's work" book. That's the way it should be.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel blessed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ps: the final "burning brightly" tiger blog and image will be up sometime tomorrow.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">peace,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">m.z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-520055712366784702011-05-08T18:02:00.003-05:002011-05-08T18:26:59.036-05:00A QUICK NOTE ABOUT SNAKE PITS.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">By and large, the funny book business is full of some pretty nice people.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But like in and "industry", there are some really nasty, rude, self important assholes</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">out to ruin your day any chance they can get.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The worst of the lot are the so called,"art dealers". That's why, for at least a decade, when I want, or need to offload some original art I have, and will <i>only</i> sell to Scott Eder.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">He's fair, intelligent, and while by necessity looks for a deal, plays up front.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now, if you have ever had a happy experience with anyone else, well my<i> personal</i> opinion</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">is that you just got lucky. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My dear Karen just got extremely and nastily slammed by a so called "fan site" for doing nothing more than trying to protect my interests. Bless her. I often let to much slip not wanting to make a fuss. It's really nice to have a hundred and eight pound tigress in my corner. Nobody I have ever had a meaningful relationship with has ever been before.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It seems to me,( and I may be wrong, but I don't think so.) that when disputes arise, it really isn't that difficult to, at the least, behave in a civilized fashion. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">She simply did <i><b>not </b></i>deserve the treatment she got.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Some people are just innately miserable. It truly make me wonder, and most assuredly makes me sad.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Don't waste your time with human Quaaludes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">M.Z.</span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-66919453938409678792011-05-05T19:18:00.001-05:002011-05-05T19:21:05.047-05:00Oh, Shit.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just posted a new blog in the wrong place. Over at the "working" blog is the post that should be here.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-7973570966451692462011-04-08T17:31:00.002-05:002011-04-08T17:53:32.358-05:00IT ALWAYS STARTS THIS WAY<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I start a new piece, especially after being "off" for a while</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I usually screw up a bit the first time out. Needless to say, I have a lot</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of bits off paper and whatnot overflowing the wastebasket.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A blog or so ago I mentioned a special thing I am doing for The Valley</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of The Kings, an animal rescue organization that cares for everything from Tigers to Pigs.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope by doing this to raise funds to help in the day to day operation of the place. I will let you know where prints can be found when they become available. Please do your best to support the kind and excellent people who try so hard and care so much.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, This is a kind of notification that there will be shortly and "in progress"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">working blog going up shortly detailing the piece I call "Burning Brightly",</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">along with my personal observations on wildlife art in general.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I promise to do my best to post with as little space between installments as I </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">am able. There will be three of them largely because three is a nice number</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and it covers the beginning middle and end. All very tidy. Unlike my waste basket.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See you there as soon as possible.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z. </span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-87504461910808068622011-04-01T11:05:00.003-05:002011-04-01T11:14:37.762-05:00ON THIS DAY.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lY5JU-roaMrWFFBIKQaa0LF6T01faiqOEibcWkcvc75IW2S-JXKrqmThBx1M7UPQGEfggV0JB0np7_HGycHn1rLeXbGtF_spZUi4qWenazakmgrGeReps7WIClEauvoAgaebq8X70Qdt/s1600/Lucy1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lY5JU-roaMrWFFBIKQaa0LF6T01faiqOEibcWkcvc75IW2S-JXKrqmThBx1M7UPQGEfggV0JB0np7_HGycHn1rLeXbGtF_spZUi4qWenazakmgrGeReps7WIClEauvoAgaebq8X70Qdt/s320/Lucy1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590648306737488562" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">On this day, in the year two thousand, eleven years ago, my forever beloved Lucy</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">was born. She passed away on july eighteenth two thousand and one from a tragic accident</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that left me crushed for a decade.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I love her still but I have found peace in her passing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sleep well dear girl.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">M.Z. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ps: i no longer have photos of her in my data base so this was the only photo i could find on line. she was about to win best in her class. one point from her championship. she died less than a week later.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;">she never would keep her ears up. silly beast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330099;">m.z.</span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-65528353411678876442011-03-28T13:51:00.004-05:002011-03-30T07:38:58.141-05:00BURNING BRIGHTLY.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyJK9dDyvc1rekQ657swZhkWfJHKijI9waRU7omC62zb2w3eJYYX5b9CIXjc3vm57mjBRy6uERuDUC3aPx1Df9qjOpvMsF7Wy8Uno_unLYJPPQOTlMRnwnJ9H_n_QAl0Hqmmiwb8eI6N9/s1600/tiger5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyJK9dDyvc1rekQ657swZhkWfJHKijI9waRU7omC62zb2w3eJYYX5b9CIXjc3vm57mjBRy6uERuDUC3aPx1Df9qjOpvMsF7Wy8Uno_unLYJPPQOTlMRnwnJ9H_n_QAl0Hqmmiwb8eI6N9/s320/tiger5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589216599500062290" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">This is a very difficult posting. Not because of any particular weirdness in my life,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">or anything going wrong, or the old career zooming sideways. No, nothing like that</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">at all. It shouldn't be hard to do, just spit it out. But I find it so.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">I wish that it wasn't. I truly wish this was an utter joy. But it's not.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">I started my life in public with a book called "The Puma Blues". Some of you may remember</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">those days. It was dubbed, A book about "ecological responsibility" and I suppose in many ways </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">it was. Few if any of you know that I spent the years previous to "Puma" as a rather commercial wildlife </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">artist of sorts. Fewer still know that I was raised Roman Catholic, and that my Confirmation name is Francis.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">What does that mean? Well, "Francis" is the name of a Catholic saint known for his profound connection to the natural world, the "birds and beasts" if you will.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">I took it very seriously then. It was supposed to be. This should be starting to add up. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">To tip the scales, If you have been following my bullshit for a few years now, you'd know I was until very recently an owner, shower and friends with big name breeders of very fine Bull terriers. Over the decades I have used my talents for free, quite happily and very seriously to Bull terrier rescue, and canine rescue in general. If there is anything on this earth that makes me almost literally burn, it's animal cruelty.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">I loath the people who feel they have divine permission to rape abuse and pillage the natural world.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">This post is about that. It's also about the possibility of redemption.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">And brothers and sisters, we, each and every one of us, myself included, needs redemption and expiation</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">of our sins against the natural world.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">All of us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">So. Even though at the moment I have little or no food for my own table, even though we are a month or so from foreclosure on our home, even though I can barely afford the basic supplies to work with, I am jumping in again with both feet, into the world of rescue and sanctuary. I need to because my heart will not be still. I want to because I hope to one day be able to look at myself in the mirror and like what I see behind my eyes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">While out in Los Angeles I was hosted by the astonishing Cat Mihos, Neil Gaiman "merch Queen" and left coast assistant. She told me a story, and showed me evidence of a sanctuary on southern Wisconsin for animal that have been the brunt of some our,(human.) most devastating cruelty. The place is called "Valley of the Kings". A not for profit 501(c)3 sanctuary and rescue organization run by Jill and Jim Tomasi, dedicated to providing the lifetime housing and humane rehabilitation of everything from Tigers to Pigs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">You can see for yourself at votk.org. It's utterly and absolutely astonishing what they have done with nothing but massive love and private donations. I have in all my years of rescue, never been more impressed than by the work they do with such love and devotion.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">But, and there is always a but, they run by the skin of their teeth. People, I know how that feels. So, to that end I am very shortly going to be doing a massive piece for them to be used strictly for fund raising so that there just might be a bit of breathing room for them now and then. The piece and the best prints possible will be available at Neverwear.com as soon as we can bring them to you. I ask you as fellow humans of good faith and understanding to please, please help support this effort. Not for me, not for Cat, but for the <i><b>magnificent</b></i> animals that have suffered so terribly at <i><b>our</b></i> hands, if not directly then by tacit disregard.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">At least just <i>think</i> about it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">Please.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">Dear god, please.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;">M.Z. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#330000;"><br /></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-42786971720536535612011-03-27T17:22:00.002-05:002011-03-27T17:42:26.176-05:00DEAD AIR.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Right.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are these times. Times when I have run out of materials, and all to frequent occurrence,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and I have ordered them that I find myself strangely suspended. A day or two is okay, as it simply clears my head, and helps me to</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: large; color: rgb(153, 51, 0); "> otherwise cool down from whatever run of things I have been on. Basically, just a bit of room to breath. If I had a limitless supply of materials, I would probably have to be told to quit by loved ones, a bizarre sort of art intervention.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, after three or four days, I start to get kind of twitchy. There is this mental itch that I can't reach and it slowly starts to erode my equilibrium in unhappy ways. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am in the middle of one of those dead air times right now. That's why is post is boring.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am rested, ready and can't go anywhere.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fed Ex has me by the balls.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not pretty.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is what I am going to be doing in a few more days: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A. A special piece for fund raising. More on that tomorrow. Stay tuned my dear ones, as it is seriously important to me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B. A portrait of Amanda Palmer. That's going to be a "go deep" kind of thing, and I doubt you'll ever see it, but you might.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">C. A portrait of Kyle Cassidy and Trillion Stars. Another exercise in real hard ass seriousness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D. Three new pieces of personal work I have been longing to do for months and months now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all that happens I order paper for the new book. More dead time. And this time I will very likely need it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, go by something from the "Lined in Lead" exhibition from Gallery Nucleus.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I really really need food 'n stuff.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They have payment plans damn it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-526371592141528601.post-18011744116704304892011-03-25T13:57:00.002-05:002011-03-25T14:37:40.591-05:00WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hell if I know.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I mean, really, I have <i>no</i> idea. Which, considering my public declaration as an artist,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">having no idea what happened at a showing of my work in public seems utterly pathetic.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not that it was, pathetic I mean. It was by all accounts a fabulous show. It's just that I didn't have any context with witch to measure it by. An art virgin at my age: shocking!, but true.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This should have happened at <i>least</i> thirty years ago. I mean there were artists,( very good ones indeed.) who showed with me younger than that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's as if somebody somewhere at sometime long ago put up a sneaky little road sign saying "career this way" with a big red arrow pointing in exactly the opposite direction.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm such a sucker for big red arrows.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, I fret for a week before hand, pack and repack superbly for any contingency, and when the day came to leave, was blasted and basically abused by the airlines for six hours.Then I was whisked away to sanctuary by the formidable and excellent Cat Mihos to stew in my own rancid juices for a day or two.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just long enough to give my nerves a really good head of steam. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I shouldn't have wasted my time. And nerves. As far as I can tell, I got there, signed a few prints, people came, milled around for several hours and then left. We all went to dinner appallingly late, (for me anyway.) and then I went to sleep.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I keep asking myself, "what actually happened?" I <i>know</i> there were things going on, I could literally feel them as they did, but I'll be damned if I know what they were. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I am looking for something that never really existed in any quantifiable form.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe I am so used to subtext I actually need to <i>invent</i> it when there isn't any?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That would be a kick in the head.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be that as it may, regardless of what I think happened, it <i>did</i> happen and it was very cool. I got to meet old friends, make new ones and dress spiffy for a change. Not a bad deal really.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I do wish I had sold something that night, even though it has as of today, seventeen days to run. Do me a favor, go to Gallery Nucleus and buy a piece for them by me. It would make me happy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I could by groceries.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">M.Z.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';color:#333300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael Zullihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07976867246540294297noreply@blogger.com1