Giving Thanks, Belatedly

The whole gang was out at the park today. I’m starting to get used the smell, too. We roughhoused together a little, but not too much because it scares the kid. I had to do quite a little growling to restore order, but they listened. I’ve earned their respect.

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Sorry for the delay in posting. Aside from Thanksgiving, a few things came up:

1) I spent a fair amount of time getting new pictures ready for my one-man show at TAMA Gallery. I modestly admit to the new pictures' total awesomeness, and I might be persuaded to post them to my site if I get any requests or even sense grudging assent from some or even one of you.

But be forewarned: the show has been postponed. TAMA is having a densely packed December (Auction this Saturday! Fundraiser the week after!), and taking down the current show and hanging mine was more than they could do. So we're now planning on opening in February. I'll send more info when we firm up the date.*

All in all, a good thing. Less craziness for all involved, and more lead time can't help but be good for an event like this. So, thanks!

2) Part-Time Dog (and me) was the subject of a feature in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle! (The Eagle was founded by Walt Whitman's old paper, by the way, until he managed to get himself fired off his own paper. That has nothing to do with the article, but I find that story just damn wonderful.) Thanks again!

3) Finally, I am now being represented by the renowned Bob Mecoy Literary Agency. Bob is an amazing guy, a true professional and one of the best representatives for graphic novels in the business. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be working with him. Thanks, Bob!

This week's dogs were roughly modeled on pictures from Steve Weinstein, Fiona Watson, Robery Fullum and Emily Newman. (None of these were really portraits, so it's possible that their pets may show up elsewhere down the line...)

More soon, promise. In the meantime, keep sending in dog photos (thanks to all of those I got this week!!), write me emails, make some comments on the blog, read the story so far or check out seltzerstudio.com. By the way, to see the Studio's portfolio in the same great format as Part-Time Dog, just click here.

*As for the contest, I've decided to extend the entry dates until closer to the actual opening. If you're reading this, you're entered.

**For all other agents or agencies on this list, thank you very much for your time and interest. Even if we're not doing business, I hope you're enjoying the story and I'll keep you on and include you in the contest unless I hear otherwise.

Portratis, Four-Legged and Two

Did Hegel have a dog? If he did, did he demean him and smack him on the nose with a rolled-up manuscript? I bet he did. He seems like that kind of a guy.

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It's official: TAMA Gallery in Tribeca will be hosting a one-man show of my work, opening on December 16. The show will focus on Part-Time Dog, and will feature dog pictures, original artwork and limited prints from the book, but will also include several other original works exhibited for the first time ever.

I am now officially in a frenzy of finishing pieces, arranging for printing and framing, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. Please come and enjoy the artwork and quite possibly the spectacle of my complete hysterical paralysis! You won't forget it!

This means the art contest will end before the show. All people who are receiving this email who don't unsubscribe before December 1 are eligible to win a piece of artwork. Two winners will win a piece of original art, and the grand prize winner will win a choice of a piece of original art or an original commission based on the characters (or dogs) featured in the book. The winners will be announced at the opening.

This week’s dog is Jetta Belle, a husky/shephard mix sent in by JoAnn & Louis Marrerro. Lovely dog, and I figured the German half of Jetta went well with Hegel. As well, I suppose, as anything goes with Hegel.

More soon, promise. In the meantime, keep sending in dog photos (thanks to all of those I got this week!!), write me emails, make some comments on the blog, read the story so far or check out seltzerstudio.com. By the way, to see the Studio's portfolio in the same great format as Part-Time Dog, just click here.

Now Officially a Work of Art

Saturday morning was not fun. It was rainy again, so the kid and I stayed inside and watched Sesame Street DVDs. But the dad was there too. He sat down on his chair and told me imperiously, “Dog, go fetch the paper.” I didn’t move. “Dog, don’t you know how to fetch?” I’m two chapters away from my PhD, from an Ivy, for God’s sake. I’ve completely refuted the idea that Hegel’s “Phenomenology of Spirit” was propaedeutic to philosophy instead of an exercise in it. Of course I know how to fetch.

So I got him his damn paper, but I gave him a look. Baleful. A baleful look. I hope he’s ashamed for lowering himself like that.

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Fantastic news! TAMA Gallery in New York's TriBeCa has offered to host an exhibit of original art from Part-Time Dog. The lovely and extremely discerning Lilia Villanueva will be curating the show, which should open in Mid-December.

I haven't decided how this will affect the art contest, but here are my preliminary thoughts: I'm going to have a cut-off for new entrants by December 1. The winners will be announced at the show's opening, but the artwork will be held until after the show is closed. Seem fair?

None of this will affect my need for more dog pictures, because I'll keep drawing new ones even after the show is up. (I have to finish this thing, nu?)

Speaking of which, this week's dog is Pearl, sent in by Madeliene Taylor. Madeleine found Pearl injured on the streets of Baltimore and she and her husband adopted her. Pearl soon recovered enough to model for high-end fashion magazines. (Really.) Pearl's story is of course close to my heart because her story so closely mirrors my own. Except for the generalities and particulars.

More big, big news about Part-Time Dog very soon, but it's so good that I don't want to curse it. Prepare yourself for an electronic kvell very soon.

More soon, promise. In the meantime, keep sending in dog photos (thanks to all of those I got this week!!), write me emails, make some comments on the blog, read the story so far or check out seltzerstudio.com. By the way, to see the Studio's portfolio in the same great format as Part-Time Dog, just click here.