Posted by Mike Jackson on March 19, 2003
Raymond ChapmanThere is a "weighted" feeling to the air surrounding a funeral. Emotions were tugged from everyone. With all that as a backdrop, I will have to say my trip had some attitional enjoyable highlights.
Here are a few:
I was able to visit Noel Weber's shop where he is making headway into wonderful architectural detailing, along with very innovative sign work with their router. He seems to be switching from glass and gold, wood and foam ...over to aluminum, custom glass and neon. Cool stuff!
Mark Oatis is about two weeks into his new venture. He was headed out to make a sales call.
Dave Smith sold his business not long ago and is now doing decorative glass in England.
Bill Hueg recently went to work at Elich Gardens in Denver, doing lettering and pictorials for the theme park with Mike Reiley.
I got to hear about Doug Bernhardt's meeting with Andrew Wyeth, and discuss some of his new fine art paintings. Beautiful work! Harry Malicoat did a very special painting of Rick which everyone signed on the back. It was presented to Lola at the luncheon. He has been doing some outstanding artwork in watercolor, colored pencil, and oils and apparently winning some awards for them. His is making the print of Rick available with half the money going to the Museum.
For Details Contact:
Malicoat Artistry
3241 N. Marks #116
Fresno, Ca 93722
MalicoART@aol.com
Thanks for the update, Mike.
It was most unusual to see those guys in suits, too. As a bunch, we clean up real nice.
There was some guy there impersonating Mike Jackson. I hadn't seen Mike without his beard until Sunday, but he still was Mike and looked like a kid.
Of course, the reason we were there weighed heavily upon us, but it was great to see old friends and heros together again.
As I was sitting at the front of the chapel Monday morning and looked across at the row of pall bearers and honorary pall bearers all together it was obvious that the very best of our craft were all sitting on two rows of pews. What a humbling experience it was.
Three of the seven men who began the Letterhead movement were there: Noel Weber, Mark Oatis, and Rick Flores. I wonder how they feel about the great "family" that they originated?
Sadly, we all know that more of these "gatherings" will take place in the years to come as we all grow older (hopefully) and we will say good-bye to those that led the way in the Letterhead movement. It would interesting to know what will be written about this time in the history of our craft a hundred years from now.
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads