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KidfromKzoo

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A Great Show by KidfromKzoo

I can't imagine any art more challenging than portraying a well-known religious icon. In my drawing "The Next Supper" I dodged the issue completely by not portraying the central figure at the table in a human form. While I was creating that drawing, many people asked me who I would model Jesus after. My church pastor even asked me if I had plans to portray myself in the role!

Ever since then I was on the lookout for someone who would disappoint expectations. Yes, you read that right! I wanted someone different than portrayals of Jesus in the past - not Italian, German, Noblesque, or tall in stature.

I knew early on that if I stumbled across someone that fit my criteria, the next step forward would hinge on the maturity of the model. It had to be a "once in a lifetime" question no one is ever asked, "Hi, I'm an artist and I'd like to know if you would mind letting me draw you as Jesus?"

As it turned out, finding Larry was not too hard. He was a newly hired, part-time employee at the same place where I work. He was also the step-brother and uncle of two other employees in the same shop. He agreed to help me complete my project, but more importantly, during the time I was working on it I was never asked about its progress, by either Larry or anybody at work.

Please understand, I'm also a "new employee" in a non-artist position and nobody at work knows I'm a professional artist. Being anonymous won't last much longer now that "From Eden to Gethsemane" is on exhibit.

One last thing. In one way, I would never put myself in the same company of other artists who have portrayed Jesus - like Da Vinci, Rembrandt, El Greco, or Bloch. But in another way, I have a better understanding of the challenges of their search.
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It Begins

1 min read
My 100 x 150cm black paper is now dry mounted and I received 19 white PrismaColor pencils last week. There is snow on the ground. Nothing will hold me back from drawing!
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The annual Alumni+ Art Exhibit, sponsored by Kalamazoo Valley Community College, is coming up and this year I'll be entering "The Next Supper" and "The Next Big Step."

My younger son is also entering for the first time with three pieces. His medium is completely different than mine - acrylic on Masonite. I'll post some pictures of the gallery from opening night - April 6.

The Next Supper by KidfromKzoo

The Next Big Step by KidfromKzoo
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A small plot twist - I started making arrangements for the delivery to the NLCC post. When I spoke with the Commanding Officer I asked who the Cadet was, explaining I had lost my notes. He said the portrait is a good likeness, but he would have to check with the mother of the Cadet. She's an identical twin!

Navy League Cadet Corps Orillia is open for any child between 9-13.  It is a group where kids are taught the basics of Canadian Naval Traditions, as well as parade drill, citizenship, seamanship, sailing and much more.
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Back on April 26 I created a list of seven venues I thought would be good matches for displaying my drawing "The Next Supper." Two declined right away, so I waited a few days before adding two new locations to my list. 

Yesterday I signed an agreement with the Monroe Community Church. The coordinator told me it was possible the drawing could be used as the subject of one of the pastor's Sunday sermons during the event. That would be different!

Next up will be the installation on September 16.

About ArtPrize

ArtPrize Nine will take place from September 20 -- October 8, 2017.

ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days each fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes are awarded each year, which include a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts.

Any artist working in any medium from anywhere in the world can participate. Art is exhibited throughout downtown Grand Rapids—museums, bars, public parks, restaurants, theaters, hotels, bridges, laundromats, auto body shops, vacant storefronts and office spaces. Artists and venues register for the competition then find each other through an online connections process in late spring. No one at ArtPrize selects a single artist or artwork, directs an artist where to show work or directs a venue what to show. In 2016, 1,453 works created by artists from 40 states and 44 countries were exhibited in 170 venues.

ArtPrize is free and open to the public and now attracts over 500,000 visitors, making it the most attended public art event in the world in 2014 and 2015, according the The Art Newspaper’s annual “Big Ticket List.”


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Featured

The Story Behind the Art by KidfromKzoo, journal

It Begins by KidfromKzoo, journal

I'm in a writing mood - by KidfromKzoo, journal

CADET - A Small Plot Twist by KidfromKzoo, journal

UPDATE: ArtPrize 2017 by KidfromKzoo, journal