Thanks for stopping by, here's what's new in the snowglobe of my life:
I keep reading everyone's journal tributes to Michael Turner, and it felt like a punch to the gut when I heard the news. I read about it much earlier in the day today, and here I am almost a good chunk of the day later, and it still feels so surreal. I met Michael each time that I attended Wizard World Chicago, and he absolutely could not have been a nicer guy. He apologized for the long lines, was in his booth for a while so that his fans could have a good chance to get something signed, and seemed very genuine when thanking you for coming. One year, when he was signing with the Top Cow panel, my girlfriend really wanted a copy of
[link] (which I have later purchased and I am now staring at above my computer), but they had run out. Michael kept apologizing for not having more, and it seems as though he could not have felt worse that someone left disappointed. Every time that I was near him, his smile and attitude was contagious. This is truly a huge loss for the comics world. This year has been tough for comics, and 3 of my favorite artists have now passed away. Mike Wieringo, Dave Stevens, and now Michael Turner.
Rest in peace guys.
When my father died of cancer, everyone praised me of how strong that we were through the process. We never lost our sense of humor, faith, or strength. There was no quit in my dad. He always taught me that death should make people pause for reflection. To ask yourself, what can I learn from them? From my dad, it was to never give up. Even though I didn't personally know Michael Turner, his death still feels like someone telling you that a puppy got hit by a car. Even if it isn't YOUR puppy, it still is something that no one wants. Michael Turner was 37 years old, which is 6 point something years older than me. I could take away Turner's love of life, his work ethic, or his no fear approach. Instead, I will look at his passing as a kick the pants that I have needed for a while now. He was an incredibly talented man, and now he is done drawing. I am 29, no where near as talented, but I also don't practice. I don't put in the work to even be remotely successful. I've grown comfortable in the bed of laziness, rather than push through a creative block. A creative block? Are you kidding me? Turner drew even after his chemo treatments, and while dealing with cancer, and I can't just draw SOMETHING because of creative block? Well, no more. Turner's legacy to me will be his art that I have loved, as well as be a well loved guy. His artwork hangs above my computer desk, watching over me. From now on, when I need some inspiration, I will look at how those of us that have any talent shouldn't squander it, since we never know when it could be one of us that the art community is mourning.
Thanks to all that read.
also, I can't change my emotion in the box here, so it distastefully will say joy. Please ignore that as I am melancholy.
Keep on drawing and keep on dreaming
Stew
Joy
