The phone call came early this spring telling me about a project the local committee for tourism planned to launch featuring local “characters.” My first guess was they wanted me to paint or sculpt some local character(s) and I wondered how I would find the time. But as I listened, it became apparent they considered ME a local character and wanted to feature me on a billboard.
Hmmmm…..
Self-employed people like me are suppose to welcome any and all publicity. But a billboard….?!!! Me?!!! The photo shoot was sweet, friendly and fun. Artist Brad Bunkers and photographer Lynn Donaldson were in charge of the images. Luckily I had one carving that would fit up the stairs and in the makeshift studio – which seemed more like a place for rats, spiders and ghosts than a fancy photo shoot. Meaningfully – the sculpture was created as a tribute to dear Freeman and Daisy Butts. Daisy had just passed away so it gives me “warm-fuzzies” to have their energy on the billboard. I also like the idea that an artist is next to a champion bull rider – that there is equal value and attraction to the two as “celebrities.” How cool is that for the art world?