Saturday Night Fun

 One of my dearest friends in the Universe, Ron Whipple, is also an artist. We met back in the 7th grade and have been fast friends ever since. When we were kids, I used to go over to his house and help him paint on his bedroom wall-his parents were so cool!



A bad picture of Ron's "Der Krampus"



 In any case, Ron has had his work featured in the office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, and has worked in mixed media for quite a while. His latest venture has been with sock dolls. Unfortunately, I only have one not-very-good photo to share with you, but please don't think that his work isn't worth looking at! Each doll he makes is really unique. Some are dark, some whimsical, some will make you afraid to go to sleep in the same room with them.

Ron started the dolls after purchasing one craft book on how to make them, teaching himself to sew along the way. (I think he's only been at this for a year.) He tells me he has never looked at anyone else's dolls, just experimented along the way. Now, it seems to be paying off.

Ron's work is being shown at the Hyaena Gallery in Burbank, where it will be on display all week. If you have an interest in owning one of these nifty dolls and you're not busy tonight, get over there asap! He's already sold two of them. The opening reception is tonight, so if you have time, grab a friend and head over to Hyaena. Tell him Shell sent you!

Congrats, Ron! I'm so very proud of you!

Just a Couple of Things to Mention

Sorry if this sounds a little like a commercial for a bunch of stuff, but please read through so you're hip to what's happening in not only my world, but another one, too!

As you know, Hauntcast is up for the "Best Produced" and "General" cate-gorys (Get it? It's a play on "gory." Pretty clever, huh?) for the Podcast Awards. Apparently, they're tallying up each day's total votes to get the winner, so please take a minute to vote for us each day. Click on the banner to take you to the site. We really appreciate it! When we win, Chis is buying everyone drinks!

O.k., he's not, but you can't blame a girl for trying.

Next, I wanted to remind you all that I have some nice items in my Etsy store that would make unique Christmas gifts for just about anyone. Since it's going to be raining all weekend, I will not be pulling my items out of the Etsy store to take to Jack Russell Farm Brewery, so you can see what my "normal," non-Hallowe'en stuff looks like. My Hallowe'en items are still listed, too-I actually dropped my price on the pumpkin ghost everyone liked so much, so take a look and take him home! (Please! I need to buy and install a utility sink so I don't have to wash my clay tools off in freezing water outside, in the rain! Can I tell you how much that sucks?!)

If you like, you can take one or both of my banners and post them to your site, linking them with my etsy store address: www.etsy.com/shop/shellhawk. Here are the images, made by the exceptionally talented Guy of House Bloodthorn:



 Lastly, I ran across this charity event and had to pass it on to you. The Mission Fish part of eBay is auctioning off this original artwork to benefit the Haven Foundation, which helps artists in need. Artist and illustrator Glenn Chadbourne has donated this illustration, inspired by Stephen King's Dark Tower series, to raise money for the Foundation:

Here's the press release:

Now being auctioned through eBay's Mission Fish with proceeds to benefit The Haven Foundation is this signed original artwork by Maine artist Glenn Chadbourne. This pen and ink drawing is inspired by Stephen King's The Dark Tower saga. It has been professionally framed with conservation quality materials. The piece including frame measures 13-1/4" x 15-1/2". 

Chadbourne has also illustrated the limited editions of Secretary of Dreams Volumes 1 and 2 and The Colorado Kid.

You can bid on the piece here, the full Haven Foundation info on this auction is here, and Glenn Chadbourne's website is here. He does some deliciously dark illustrations, so head over there to take a peek at his work!

Have a great weekend, All!

John Stuart Berger

Saturday night is "Second Saturday" in Sacramento. Mr. ShellHawk and I are getting together with some friends (one couple is very nearly about to spawn and will be on restriction after the spawnling comes) to have some pizza and drinks and stroll downtown Sacramento and have a Cultural Experience. It turns out that one of our buddies (a very cool herpetologist and fantastic Sponge Bob imitator) is friends with an artist who will be showing at the Solomon Dubnick Gallery on 25th street.

The artist is John Stuart Berger, and after reviewing some of his paintings and ceramics, I've decided I like him and I can't wait until Saturday night to pop into the gallery and look at his stuff in person. If I don't get to, I will have a completely childish fit in a public place.

More photos here.