Morty Comix # 2466

Morty Comix # 2466 was left at a deserted house that looks like it could've been used in a Northwest version of The Blair Witch Project. This was close to the Mid-Nemah River, Pacific County, Washington.

Phone photo 2065

Seaview, Washington

Favorite Movie Quotes: Anzio

"Why do we do it? Why do people kill each other? How can a perfectly ordinary good natured guy who wouldn't slap down a mosquito sit up in an airplane and bomb a thousand sleeping strangers down  beneath him?"

Phone photo 2064

The Hostess rack is nearly empty as sugar addicts get their fix. Notice the caution sign!

No more Twinkie Weiner sandwiches!

Dog Walk Dog 2

I drew a page for the just published anthology, Dog Walk Dog 2, and in the course of doing so realized how rusty I am at drawing stories.

The comic includes work by August Lipp, Jason T. Miles, Ben Horak, Patrick Keck, Karissa Sakumoto, Marc Palm, Max Clotfelter, Tom Van Deusen, Kelly Froh, and Aidan Fitzgerald.

Tom Van Deusen is the editor and publisher. I believe he is selling this for 5 bucks, ppd.

Phone photo 2063

Buttons - Comic Art - 1989

On the curl: Max Traffic (c)1989

On reverse: Badge-A-Minit, LaSalle, Ill 61301

Although the image was drawn in 1989, I think the button itself might have been produced at a later date.

New Bezango WA Kickstarter Promo

Ron and Louise are over 2/3 of the way to their kickstarter goal! Click on the link and see their new promo, which includes footage of Morty Comix # 2378 being distributed.

My Aunt Pat Pearson and Olympia Folk Art

I grew up with 24 uncles and aunts and out of all them, my Aunt Pat Pearson (1922-2007) was the most unusual. And in my family, that is saying a lot, believe me.

In other places I have documented how wonderful my parents were in encouraging my development as a cartoonist. My Father had a genetic gift for drawing which was handicapped by his early years in grinding poverty in the Virginia Cumberland Mountains. Being great at illustrating didn't help much when one was trying to survive. But he was a great artist, just in the way he regarded life. In the rare times he drew anything, I recall being thrilled by the result. He didn't know it, but he was a poet and conceptual artist by the life he led. He took risks no sane person would take, and he was rewarded for those decisions.

My Mother, being a professional educator and the product of Washington pioneer stock (I had to slip that in), saw very early that I loved the graphic art form and really nurtured and promoted my art education. Ironically, although my Mom was not an artist herself, she recognized the strain more than my Dad, and saw that it was an important part of being human.

So I was lucky in the parent department.

So, what did my Aunt Pat contribute to this foundation?

Pat never had any children and she eventually became the stereotype Crazy Cat Lady, leaving perhaps as many 20 cats in her little apartment when she died. But when I was little she was the most glamorous woman I knew. She designed and made her own clothes. She carried herself as if she was on the runway. She was creative. And she painted.

At the time (mid-1960s) I recall being so impressed that someone I knew had actually painted a picture! In oil! That had a big impact on me. A grownup I was related to had produced a painting!

As an adult I now see her work as a form of folk art. But I honor her influence on my own creativity by hanging one of her paintings in my hallway. It is, I believe, a picture of 4th and Capitol, in Olympia, Washington, facing east in the late 19th century. 

Yes, it is not a great work of art by itself. But it means a lot to me.

 Pat's painting at the end of my hallway

 Another Pat painting

Pat, 1960

Me and my hero, my Dad, July 1959, Millersylvania

I actually recall this event in a spotty way.

So Aunt Pat, here's to your memory and contribution. You will be happy to know every single cat you left behind found a good home after you left us. And you let me know it was OK to be a grownup and creative. Thank you.

Favorite Movie Quotes: The Longest Day

"I wonder who won?"

A film way ahead of its time and a real tribute to our American regular guy heroes in the fight against Hitler and fascism. Oddly, the comedian Red Buttons had one of the most horrifying roles in this piece.

Morty Comix # 2465

Morty Comix # 2465 was left in a phone booth of an unusual design, Westside of Olympia, Washington.

Buttons - Events - 2005

McCleary Bear Festival

"Once Upon a Time"

July 8-9-10, 2005

Phone photo 2062

McCleary Mansion

Olympia, Washington

$300 - Original Art - Rainmaker Painraker

"Rainmaker Painmaker" original art, first appeared in Storm Warnings (1986)

12 pages, nonphoto blue pencil and felt tip on light bond, 11.5 x 9 inches.

In good condition. No whiteout or paste-ups from what I can see.

Includes cameo appearances by Arnie Wormwood, Morty the Dog, and Brad Foster (as a character, not as a contributing artist).

This is not one of my favorite stories. I always felt it was one of my more predictable and conventional pieces. Maudlin too. But, it seems those who are enjoy predictable and conventional comics like this story even if they are uncomfortable with my regular fare.

300 smackeroos is my asking price.

$300 ppd.
Check or money order to
Steve Willis
PO Box 390
McCleary, WA 98557-0390

or order through PayPal

Phone photo 2061

Morty Comix # 2464

Morty Comix # 2464 was left in a hollow spot where a leg connected to the bottom surface of a restaurant table on the Westside of Olympia, where I consumed a turkey sandwich for lunch.

Buttons - Events - 1987

McCleary Bear Festival

July 17, 18, 19, 1987

On the curl: G.H. Stamp Works, Aberdeen, Wash.

I didn't see the year on this button until I enlarged the image on the scanner!

Phone photo 2060

Morty Comix # 2463

Morty Comix # 2463 was tossed in as an added bonus as I packaged an order from a fellow Scorpio in Ohio for original art and a comic. It just so happened I took today off from work, so I was able to package the material immediately, drive Nadine down to the friendly folks at the old McCleary Post Office on this rainy morning, and send it off toot sweet!

Reminded me a bit of the Newave days when I did this sort of thing almost every day.

Phone photo 2059

Tumwater, Washington

Buttons - Events - 2003

July 11-13, 2003!

Tropical Paradise--

The McCleary Bear Festival

On the curl: Grays Harbor Stamp Works 800 894-3830

Phone photo 2058

Buster and Charlie

Grasshopper grooms the Mentor

Buttons - Events - 2002

McCleary Bear Festival

July 12-14, 2002

On the curl: Grays Harbor Stamp Works 800-894-3830

Phone photo 2057

Hettie

Favorite Movie Quotes: Left Handed Gun

"I ain't dead no more. I come awake!"

Phone photo 2056

Dreamer and Buster

Double-decker cats

$200 - Original Art - Xenophobic Knives and Other Love Songs, Pt. 2

Original art for Xenophobic Knives and Other Love Songs, Pt. 2
 
Drawn in 1990 and published in 1991, even though the publication date states 1990.

12 p., nonphoto blue and felt-tip on lighter bond stock. Unevenly cut pages, roughly 8.25 x 6 in.

In very good condition. Some dabs of whiteout on cover, p. 4, 8.

The cast of characters include Morty the Dog, Pablo Picasso, Mukey the Mutant Membrane in his childhood, a deformed cow, and an evil clown.

200 bucks and it is yours!

$200 ppd.
Check or money order to
Steve Willis
PO Box 390
McCleary, WA 98557-0390

Or order through PayPal

Phone photo 2055

Budd Inlet

Cooper Point (left), Priest Point (right)

Olympia, Washington

Buttons - Events - 2001

McCleary Bear Festival

July 13, 14, 15, 2001

On the curl: Grays Harbor Stamp Works 800 894-3830

Phone photo 2054

Budd Inlet

Olympia, Washington