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MEMBER-NATIONAL CARTOONIST SOCIETY / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CARTOONISTS SOCIETY |
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"Cartoon Laureate & One-Man Comi-Con" |
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ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE |
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August 9, 2008 |
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I am proud to say that I worship at the drawing board of Charles Schulz.
While I did not get to thank him for his immense influence on me first
as a fan and later a a fellow cartoonist.
I did have the honor of his blessing on my work licensed from his characters.
That work both in art & design remain the hallmark of my personal portfolios.
I bring their production samples to my show & tell time this summer at his old studio - now turned museum. |
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But what I really look forward to is the show and tell time with everyone else who loved him and still loves his work.
Where would we be without him? |
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"FULL CIRCLE": A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE |
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What began 13 years ago with the culmination of my video game/package design career on the Peanuts Gang assignments with Image Smith - had an rude and
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abrupt ending in 1995 when the fan letter I prepared for Schulz himself was thrown back in my face by the man I worked for - After assuring me he had hand delivered
it to him during a previous product approval meeting while Schulz was still personally involved with every aspect of his licensing.
The tragedy of Sparky's death in 2000 was deepened for me personally with the
knowledge that my last chance to thank him for his immense influence and inspiration to my own cartooning career was lost forever.
For almost a year and a half now I have been counting down the days until I could
step into this honor of Artist-In-Residence with the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa.
Just 3 weeks post-op from a near fatal surgery -NO ONE thought that I was ready to fulfil this pilgrimmage. Friends and
family, full of loving concern for my well being and continued healing all tried to reason with me that there would be other opporTOONities to participate in events like this. But the truth is that sometimes there is no
other time.
Sometimes we have our last chance without realizing it.
I still feel the sting of missing Mr. Schulz the first time. I still feel it in my skin.
Regardless of any other outcome along the way
- I have been compelled to complete this journey - alone - but bouyed by the prayers and good wishes of everyone, but for their own circumstances - would have carried me here themselves.
Arriving early I was
eager to complete an anonymous tour of the Museum grounds, gift shop and adjoining ice arena before my presentation. All too obvious I broke into tears upon finding extensive signage, posters and other notices
throughout the complex announcing my presence today.
Everyone - and I mean EVERYone from Docent to Security Guard to Hospitality Director to Museum Curator welcomed me like I was part of the family. Setting me up
at the head of the research center's classroom and canvassing all the visitors in attendance they provided un unbroken stream of both children and adults - posing for pictures, requesting original sketches and
dedications for books they purchased.
Now late in the afternoon but still several hours before closing I had one more obligation to fulfil before burning up my credit card at the gift shop. I made my way further
west to Sabastopol and the Pleasant Valley Memorial Park to finally pay my respects in person to this gentle and funny man I am so indebted to.
I was relieved to find the sunny fields of flowers, flags and
mementos empty of any other living visitors. I was able to lay both my burdens of grief and gratitude down on the carefully mowed lawns as I lay down myself to share my secret prayers.
If it is even possible, I
find myself even more encouraged, even more energized to continue and better my craft than I was before I arrived.
How many more ways are there to say "Thank you!" to a man you never met? |
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Just inside "Snoopy's Home Ice", the Ranger Ice Arena is a small table adorned with scrapbook photos of Charles Schulz, a vase of fresh cut sun flowers and a small
but polite sign that says "Reserved- Do Not Disturb."This was Sparky's favorite spot to work out ideas over a cup of coffee... |
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But there is a special seat reserved for you, should you make the trip to Pleasant Hills Memorial Park... to ponder and reflect on the incredible accomplishments of this
kind and gentle man to whos humor we are all indebted. When I arrived myself, I found the tokens of love left behind by others who felt the same... |
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*CLIK to enlarge any photo |
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TRIBUTES TO CHARLES SCHULZ |
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Sometimes the only way to show your affection for another creator's work is to channel your own inspiration thru their pre-existing characters and themes; an
"homage". Here are a few of mine... |
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