I wrote about getting married on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas and it's hard to believe but it's been 10 years today! One of the bands John managed, "Common Sense" was the opening act for "Hootie and the Blowfish" New Years Eve 1996. So we got hitched at Graceland and John's daughter Ohara, his son Morgan, brother Paul and a few of my close friends came. It was a sweet little ceremony and then we went to the gig at the Hard Rock Hotel. Vegas on New Years is a circus! The opposite of our life in Topanga to be sure. But it was fun and memorable. We had our reception a few months later in Santa Monica, invited all our friends and family and John's brother Phil Hartman interviewed a lot of our guests on video with his famous comedic flair and it is a happy treasured time captured on tape.
Top: At the Mermaid in Topanga last New Years Eve my friend sent me this picture.Bottom: Cover Art for my reception invites. Click on to Graceland to view it larger
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Phoenix" is from a series of illustrations that I created for Celine Dion. In July 2002 I received a call from a fellow that acted as my agent asking me if I was interested in doing some spec work for a possible merchandising deal involving Celine Dion and her upcoming commitment to have an exclusive show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Celine would have her own gift store at Caesars and I could be on the ground floor of creating art that would go on all of the merchandise, ie calendars, cards, stationary, tees etc. This was not my ultimate dream job but Joe already had an appointment for me to show her lawyer Paul, rough illustrations in 2 days. I was worried because I paint buildings but I pulled an all-nighter and came up with some stuff that I thought she might be attracted to. I tried to think of what I knew of her and I know she likes fashion so I did 4 that were reminiscent of vintage fashion illustrations with her name at the top in the style she used on her album covers. One was with her new little boy and they are outside in a beautiful cove playing together, one was her in an evening gown reclining outside looking up at fireworks and this one. Like a beautiful bird that is starting a new life in this exotic paradise. I did it in white and also in black but I never finished the black version because I ran out of time. I met with the lawyer/agent and he loved my ideas and the work and would present them to Ms. Dion. I don't know how I drove home that day on P.C.H. my eyes kept closing as I wound my way back up the canyon. So all these guys went back and forth, emails flying around and finally I received a simple email that said: "She likes it". That made me soar! Much time passed and I got another call aking me to do a lot more work but it still was not a go and I sensed this could go on and on. I pulled out because I had real paying gigs. Celine Dion opened at Caesars in March 2003 and I have no idea what happened with the merchandise in her gift shop but I still have the email from her lawyer saying she liked it. She rose from a big star to an even bigger star in Vegas and I learned a lot about myself, still able to pull an all-nighter, to not let down the agent and myself and to know when to throw in the towel.
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Peace" is from one of my valgal winter holiday cards. I did this card for Habitat for Humanity a few years back. I donated 1000 calendars to Habitat for 2002 and they asked me to create a holiday card that they could send out. I had gone to Marthas Vineyard that summer and those sweet campground houses inspired this theme. Once again the thrust of this card is to "Celebrate the Holidays Together". I hope everyone has an inspired time with family and friends this holiday season! Peace for all!!!
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Help" is from my 2004 HomeMade calendar and the title is "House Pet". It's always wise to have a pet that helps around the house. Goats were used for brush clearing in Topanga State Park a long time ago. And many people have and still do raise goat and sheep here. I hear the goats on my walks. This painting was for the month of February and the quote is: Sweet is the smile of home; the mutual look, when hearts are of each other sure. ~John Keble~copyright 2003
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Might" is my holiday card this season. This might be the perfect time to celebrate the holidays together!celebrate copyright 2006
