tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60378916212342585082024-03-13T13:54:41.379-07:00The Incredible Mr. DinksMr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-56476357972047256552015-10-30T11:02:00.001-07:002015-10-30T11:02:54.840-07:00The Quest for Alls Hallow's Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6B05dorUY/VjOwjKyNODI/AAAAAAAAAto/Dt6Qe2pLv4Q/s1600/Halloween%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6B05dorUY/VjOwjKyNODI/AAAAAAAAAto/Dt6Qe2pLv4Q/s320/Halloween%2B2015.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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As the full moon rises<br />
On Halloween night,<br />
The ghosts are all haunting<br />
As the witches recite<br />
Magic spells that will help them<br />
Take their All Hallows flight.<br />
<br />
There’s a devil amongst them<br />
To help in their quest,<br />
To make sure there is candy<br />
For all of the guests<br />
Who’ll knock on your door<br />
With the ultimate test.<br />
<br />
“Trick or treat!” they will cry<br />
As you open the door.<br />
It seems like great fun<br />
But it is so so much more.<br />
See, the treats are an offering<br />
To the beasts of old lore.<br />
<br />
If you’re stingy with candy<br />
And they don’t get a treat,<br />
A trick will be coming<br />
That’s the opposite of sweet.<br />
They’ll fly through your house<br />
And cast spells on your feet!<br />
<br />
And if still there’s no candy,<br />
No treat to be had,<br />
It makes the old monsters<br />
Even more mad.<br />
They’ll come from the graveyards<br />
And bring all kinds of bad.<br />
<br />
And so this is why,<br />
The three that you see,<br />
There’s Randy the ghost<br />
And the devil Petey,<br />
And, of course, there’s a witch<br />
Named Abigail McGee<br />
<br />
Each must bring candy<br />
To the monsters of old,<br />
Until the day comes<br />
That’s long been foretold,<br />
When the monster’s return<br />
In a sight to behold.</div>
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Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-29345112772856536262014-11-10T07:53:00.002-08:002014-11-10T07:53:43.999-08:00Love Comes Full Circle at Clermont<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love
Comes Full Circle</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At
Clermont</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By
Kevin Nordstrom</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
going to tell you a love story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
love story that spans hundreds of years. And it all circles around a very
special place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
place called Clermont. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">****</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Clermont
is a mansion that was built in the mid-1700’s by Robert Livingston Jr. and
would go on to house several generations of Livingstons. The most famous of
which would be Chancellor Robert Livingston who played a large part in the
birth of this country. The Livingstons were vocal patriots and, because of that,
the British army, after burning Kingston (the first state capital) they burned
the first Clermont to the ground. The Chancellor, as he was affectionately
called even after he left office, went on to help draft the Declaration of
Independence (sadly, he was called away before he could sign it). He also
helped invent the steam boat, administered the oath of office to General George
Washington and brokered the Louisiana Purchase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Historically the
mansion and its numerous inhabitants and visitors played an important role in
the shaping of this country. But, you didn’t come here for a history lesson.
You’re here for that love story I promised. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s skip ahead a few
hundred years. This is where I come in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s the middle of
October and I’d just received a text from my sister saying, “Do you wanna scare
little kids?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My sister was working
at The Boys & Girls Club in Kingston and they were putting together a
haunted house and could use a little extra help. I agreed to volunteer for the
night and met her outside the locked doors of the club. She’d told me that her
boss, Laura, was on her way and she had the keys. When I heard the word “boss”
it instantly conjured images of an older, homely looking woman. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was very wrong. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The car pulled up and
out stepped a young, vibrant and beautiful woman. She was carrying a large
array of things for the haunted house and I’d have offered to carry them for
her had I not been so dumbfounded by her beauty and couldn’t form the words. A
rare thing as anyone who knows me can attest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She was a tiny woman,
an inch or two under five feet, but her lack of height did nothing to hinder
the size of her personality. I watched in amazement as she told six-foot tall
teenagers who grew up on the worst streets in Kingston what to do and where to
go and they did it all with respect and without hesitation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I managed to focus
myself away from her beauty and we were able to put together quite the haunted
house for the kids. I had a wonderful time and I quickly fell in love with the
club and its children. When I left that night I’d texted my sister one sentence:
“Is she single?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She wasn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nonetheless over the
ensuing months I volunteered at the club regularly. I made it a point to avoid
Laura because I wanted to make sure that all of my focus was on the kids. I’d
grown up on the same streets and a dark seed had gotten into me when I was
young. I’d done a lot of bad things when I was young so it gave me a sense of
peace to finally be doing something good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite my efforts to
keep my distance Laura and I grew close and when her relationship ended I was
there helping her pick up the pieces. The first time I’d put my arm around her
it was meant only to comfort but I instantly felt butterflies go through my stomach.
I’d been with my fair share of women and never once had I felt such a thing. I’d
thought that things like that didn’t happen in real life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was only a matter of
time before we were pulled together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Simple touches, glances and flirtations lit a fire between us and we were
both quickly consumed by it. My journal pages from around that time are
littered with phrases like “This is nothing serious” and “This won’t last.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But for every day that
passed we were drawn closer and closer. Before long we were living together and
having our families come together for holidays. We had our fair share of
hardships like any couple but they only proved to bring us closer together. It
was a love unlike any I’d ever known or even seen. And others reacted to it too.
People we hardly knew would say how happy we looked and would get excited about
the prospects of us getting married and starting a family. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d been married once
before so marriage wasn’t something I was going to take lightly. I’d more than
once had declared I would never do it again. I had settled on the idea that
true love belonged only in fairy tales and movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this…. This was something new. It was
everything the great poets and songwriters had said and more. This woman had
become my life. My everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, on one snowy
January day, when Laura said she wanted to get out of the house and do
something, I knew it was time. I asked her what she wanted to do and her answer
started a new chapter in our lives. She said, “I learned about this supposed hidden
jewel of historical sites I’d like to check out. It’s called Clermont.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We bundled up and headed out. My thoughts raced as we
drove. Laura’s mother’s wedding ring was in my pocket and I was starting to get
nervous. Would I get an opportunity to give her the perfect proposal? Would she
even say yes? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All of these fears were
forgotten when I first stepped out of the car and caught sight of one of the
most breathtaking views of the Hudson River I’d ever seen. The snow-covered
hills rose and fell, glistening in the sunlight like a Thomas Kinkade painting.
Just like the love I’d found that I thought was nothing more than a fairy tale,
I’d found a place that seemed to jump out of a story book. Yes, this was just
the place for the perfect proposal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We made our way down
the lilac path. Even with the lack of flowers it was a surreal introduction as
we finally came upon the house. It stood silent and impressive in its
historical significance. After taking it all in, we made our way to the Italian
gardens. Laura was enchanted by the stone walls and pathways. Giddily she
described all the beautiful flowers that she was sure would be there in the
spring and how beautiful it was even with all the snow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we left the Italian
garden we came upon a small pond and, behind it, a tiny stream with a simple,
snow-capped bridge crossing it. We stood together on the bridge, taking in the
beauty of the clear, crisp stream that cut its way through the snow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The moment I’d been
waiting for had come. Atop the crest of the bridge, at the center of a
veritable winter wonderland would be the perfect place for the perfect
proposal. I dug my hand in my pocket as my breaths came faster and faster. My
fingers snagged the ring and I looked up, preparing to drop to one knee…. But
she was gone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In her utter excitement
at the absolute beauty of the undisturbed snow that decorated this magical
place, she’d run out, hands in the air, laughing unabashedly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d lost my moment. Was
that a sign? Would I get another such perfect chance?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Putting the ring back
in my pocket I followed Laura as she made her way up a trail where there was
another, larger pond. Ice played on its edges and the rest of the water
reflected the sun in an enchanted array of sparkles. A large rock stuck out of
the ground at the water’s edge and Laura jumped up onto it so that she could
take in the view of the whole pond. Like on the bridge she was overwhelmed at
the beauty and hopped excitedly up and down on the rock. She turned to me
saying, “It’s so pretty! Don’t you think - -”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was looking up at
her, ring in hand, my one foot resting on the rock. I told her how much I loved
her and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her if she’d have me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No words were spoken.
She let out a cry of joy, leapt from the rock and kissed me so deeply I thought
we’d merge together. Holding her tightly in my arms I spun her around and when
I pulled back I noticed she was crying so much her glasses had fogged up.
That’s when I realized I was crying too. There was no fear in me at all. Just a
perfect, indescribable happiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we made our way back
to the car we knew Clermont would remain a special place in our hearts. Little
did we know that it would become much more than that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As you might expect we
took several pictures and posted them to Facebook, letting all we know that the
marriage they’d all been hoping for was going to happen. A wave of
congratulations and excited responses came from posting those pictures. But something
else also came from it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of Laura’s friends
saw the pictures. She messaged Laura saying that she was actually going to be
taking part in a fashion show with The Friends of Clermont. She went on to say
that they could use more women to be models and that Laura would be perfect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Laura was delighted.
After all, what girl wouldn’t love to wear all those fancy dresses? Especially
a girl with a passion for history and a newfound love of Clermont. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sadly, the show itself
did not take place at Clermont but this is where we met Kjirsten, the Director
of Education and historian for Clermont as well as several of Clermont’s
employees and regular volunteers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The fashion show went
wonderfully and Laura expressed interest in doing more with Clermont as she
shared with them the story of how we got engaged there. Kjirsten and the others
were delighted by the story and seemed happy to have the extra help. Before
long I was volunteered to help out as well, given that I’d acted in several
plays in college. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of the show
we said our goodbyes and went back to our lives, intrigued by the idea of
future events with Clermont. Later we did some research and found out that
Clermont also allowed weddings. How great would it be to be married in the same
place we got engaged?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better, it
was in our budget! Depending on the spot where you had the ceremony and the
reception, the prices varied allowing those of us with tighter budgets to be
able to maneuver a beautiful yet affordable wedding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We looked at a few
other places just in case but I think we always knew it would be Clermont. We
got in contact with them and they were great about showing us the different
lawns and prices. After a bit of thought and looking at our financials we picked
our spots and began the journey of planning the wedding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It wasn’t long before
Clermont beckoned us back. The Hudson Flag day parade was coming and Kjirsten
had asked us if we wanted to be a part of the float. Soon after, we met with
Kjirsten and the others to get fitted for our costumes. Slowly but surely I was
beginning to put names to some of the familiar faces. Jennie. Caitlyn. Emily.
Susan. Rebecca. We also met a new face. Another historian, who was Clermont’s
resident Chancellor Livingston, named Geoff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was obvious right
away that everyone knew everyone and they’d all been doing these kinds of
things together for a while. Despite the fact that we were obviously outsiders,
we were warmly welcomed into the clan and quickly made friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We would go on to win
best float for our wonderful array of costumes and spent the rest of the day
taking photos by the water and walking around the fair in full costume. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot and sticky in the heavy cotton but
we had a great time. So much so that when Clermont needed us again, this time
for speaking roles, we were happy to oblige. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m not going to lie, I
flubbed up our first speaking roles. We lost a volunteer and I took on extra
lines and I just couldn’t seem to get them memorized. We were to be playing a
version of chess but with live people as the pieces. During the game an
argument was to break out about the taxation from the British but just a few
exchanges in I went blank. They were able to save it but I felt awful. I’d let
down my friends when they were counting on me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was worried that they
wouldn’t ask us to come back after my mix-up so when they reached out to us to
be a part of their Halloween Candlelight Ghost tours I was determined to make
up for my flub. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ghost tours were a
fantastic idea. The story changes every year but the basic gist remains the
same. A group is brought in to take part in some kind of séance when they
unintentionally unleash the ghosts of Clermont. The ghosts of actual historical
people that were somehow connected to Clermont are met as you wander through
the house and each of them tells you their story. You meet Chancellor
Livingston, played with gusto once again by Geoff, as he goes on and on about
how nobody knows who he is even though was a founding father and did a great
many impressive things. You also meet the pirate Captain Kidd, played by yet
another new friend, David, who tells you of his lost buried treasure. All the
familiar faces were back and there were several new people and each of them
played their characters amazingly, telling one fantastic story after another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Laura was to play
Louise Davezac Livingston, who grew up with French parents in Haiti and became
the wife of Edward Livingston. She told a tragic story of loss and pain, losing
several children and a husband at a very young age. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In contrast, I was to
play a fun Irishman named Brigadier General Richard Montgomery. My tale was
similarly tragic but was told with a more comedic irony. I would speak of how I
only wished to farm but the revolution called me into action. My speech was
littered with lines that always garnered laughter such as “I told my good
friend that if he let me go back to my plow I’d give the ox a break and pull it
myself.” Even my death was told with a sardonic smile saying, “I lost my hat at
Quebec City, you see…. When a British cannon took my head out from under it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I adored the role and
one night, after a particularly good set of performances, we were laughing and
joking about General Montgomery when Kjirsten told us the heart of General
Montgomery’s tale. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Montgomery had
befriended Chancellor Livingston and, while on a visit to Clermont, met the
Chancellor’s sister, Janet, whom he instantly took a liking to. Montgomery
would go on to fight in other wars but upon his second visit to Clermont he
married Janet Livingston in the drawing room of Clermont in front of the
fireplace. They were one of the few in those times who married for love and after
their marriage they set about building a life together. He farmed and began to
lay the foundation for a larger home. During those first two years he was to
have been heard saying, “We were never so happy in all our lives.” But at the
same time he would tell his lovely Janet that “This cannot last; it cannot
last.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d played Montgomery
for several nights at that point but it was at that moment when I understood
him like I never had before. A life of war had taught him that this world was
hard and often unfair. Because of that he appreciated what wonders he had for
as long as he had them. I knew all too well what that was like and my journal
writings of, “This won’t last” echoed in my mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Montgomery and Janet
were married for only a few short years before the Revolution began and
Montgomery was needed for the fight. While he was gone Janet wrote in her
journal that she’d had a dream where she and her soldier were walking together
when they came to a crossroads. Montgomery stopped her and said that he had to
go one way and that she must walk the other road alone without him for many
years. Two days later she received word that Montgomery was killed in battle. Montgomery
was buried respectfully in Quebec at sunset by the enemy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Janet would go on to
remain very active in politics, even building upon the foundation Montgomery
had laid, creating Grasmere and then she later went on to build Montgomery
Place. It would be over 40 years before they were able to negotiate moving her
dear soldier’s body to New York City. She watched from her porch as his body
sailed up the Hudson River. The immense amount of love and loss was too much
and she fainted at the sight. 5,000 people came out for the funeral procession
in New York City and she was heard to say, “What more could I wish than the
high honor that has been conferred upon the ashes of my poor soldier.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Janet would outlive
Montgomery for over 50 years. She would receive a marriage proposal from a
continental army general but she turned it down. She only ever had eyes for her
soldier. It was a far more loving and tragic tale than we’d ever expected from
the ghost that called people “ragamuffins” and made jokes about how a load of
grapeshot through the head would change a man’s mind in battle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As beautiful as the
tale was after the ghost tours ended it was somewhat forgotten. After all,
Laura and I had a wedding to plan. We’d go on to volunteer once more around
Christmas with Clermont and then a few months later we would receive a message
from them regarding our wedding. As a thank you for all the volunteering,
Clermont was going to wave the fee for the lawn where we were having our
ceremony so we would only have to pay for our reception lawn. A better argument
for good karma could not be made. When I was young I’d looked at good deeds
with disdain claiming that no good deed goes unpunished. But volunteering had
given me my love and now it had given us a free ceremony on our wedding day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the months went by
slowly but surely everything fell into place. Laura hand-made all the decorations
herself so the last few weeks leading up to the wedding were utter chaos until,
finally, the day came. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d been brought by my
groomsmen to our beloved Clermont and was lead to the Italian gardens that were
now in full bloom. A beautiful contrast to the snowy memories from that fateful
first day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was waiting with the
photographer until Laura arrived. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned
and the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen stood before me. Laura’s hair was in
a large braid and decorated with flowers, her white dress shimmered in the
sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried as the happiness
overwhelmed me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The weather was perfect
and everything went smoothly. I choked back tears as I listened to Laura’s vows
and even had to stop a few times through my own. As we took our photos we were
delighted to see some of our Clermont friends off to the side, sneaking peeks
at Laura’s dress and smiling and waving as we headed over to the reception. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The reception itself was
a flurry of laughter and smiling faces. One of my groomsmen and I surprised
Laura with a song he and I wrote. I practically carried her through the dance
as she cried at every new lyric that echoed the happiest memories of our time
together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As things wound down we
took photos with the sun setting on the happiest day of our lives. Clermont had
given us a beautiful engagement and kept its magic going without fail right up
to the last moment of our wedding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clermont had even
followed us home that night. After stopping (in full wedding attire) for a hot
dog and some beer, we came back to our apartment where I carried Laura over the
threshold. As we reminisced about the day, we went through our cards and gifts
when we found a small box with a card attached. It was from everyone at
Clermont. They’d bought us a small set of vintage glasses and gave us a small
card reiterating their gratitude and how much they loved us. They’d done so
much for us already that this little extra bit was the absolute perfect end to
an already perfect day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You’d think that our
love story with Clermont would end here. But there was more that Clermont had still
to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’d only been married
a month when we heard from Kjirsten again. The Candlelight Ghost tours were
here again and there was something special happening this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I would be back playing
the great Brigadier General Richard Montgomery but this time Laura was playing
someone new. She be would be the loving wife of General Montgomery, Janet
Livingston Montgomery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The tours would start
similarly enough with a séance gone wrong, but this time the first ghost the
guests would meet would be Richard’s dear Janet. She would tell the story of
how everyone told her she was getting too old to be a bride and how she met her
dear soldier, fell madly in love and then, after only a few, short blissful
years lost him to his duties. But on that night, when the spirits had returned
she may yet find him again. She would bestow on one lucky visitor a letter
she’d written to her soldier in case they may happen upon him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Surely enough, after
meeting all the other spirits, the guests would meet a ghost patrolling the
grounds who would introduce himself as “Brigadier General Richard Montgomery…
or what’s left of him at any rate.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After receiving the
letter from his beloved Janet, Montgomery would tell of how he wanted nothing
more than to stay with her on the farm but knew that life could not be so kind
for so long. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While much of my speech
as Montgomery remained the same it carried more emotion than it ever had the
year before. It was darker, more heartbreaking. While before, Montgomery longed
to be at his plow, now he was trying desperately to find his dear Janet amidst
the dark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was our last night
performing when Laura and I truly realized what Clermont had done. It had given
Richard and Janet the happy ending they’d deserved through us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clermont had brought
the lovers back together after hundreds of years apart. And it did it through a
new love that had blossomed amidst the very same walls and grounds in much of
the very same manner.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the harsh life
that bred cynicism and doubts to the unbridled love that had flourished and was
felt by so many who were witness to it, our love story echoed theirs and came
to a beautiful close in the same way ours had started….in a haunted house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clermont has since
become a second home with a second family that has given us a unique love story
that connected us to history in a way few people have ever had the opportunity
to experience. We are so grateful for every moment spent there and with those
we are proud to call our friends. After all, as Janet and her dear soldier have
taught us, life can be hard and fleeting but, in the end, it always comes full
circle…</span></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-50029872701953426662014-01-24T13:01:00.001-08:002014-01-24T13:01:23.878-08:00Happy Songs for Sad PeopleMy first ever movie poster illustration!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzJxrbyMbWc/UuLUk-b4lHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/9ub2DBAe3aA/s1600/Happy+Songs+lo-ress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzJxrbyMbWc/UuLUk-b4lHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/9ub2DBAe3aA/s1600/Happy+Songs+lo-ress.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-68556942604142283822013-12-04T11:53:00.000-08:002013-12-04T11:53:01.752-08:00A Little Holiday Spirit!<span class="userContent">With the season of giving upon us I feel it's
important to remember that the giving should extend beyond those we call
our friends and family. <br /> <br /> Therefore, for the month of December, I will be offering sketches, like this one, of simple bus<span class="text_exposed_show">ts
on colored paper for $10 of any single character (real or made-up) and
all money made from these sketches will be donated to CARE, a
humanitarian agency that is dedicated to serving individuals and
families in the poorest communities around the world. And for this month
they will be matching every dollar that is donated.<br /> <br /> So, for $10 you get a nice original piece of Kevin Nordstrom art and you'll have helped out a wonderful cause!<br /> <br /> If you'd like more info on CARE you can check them out at: <a href="http://www.care.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.care.org/</a></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCTAd_vI9e4/Up-IFZ2Nl7I/AAAAAAAAAfo/yq8mvev9qpU/s1600/CARE+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCTAd_vI9e4/Up-IFZ2Nl7I/AAAAAAAAAfo/yq8mvev9qpU/s320/CARE+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-56556579675196227172013-10-29T12:24:00.002-07:002013-10-29T12:24:38.056-07:00Hocus Pocus - The Rise of Billy Butcherson<span><span>Well, kids, here it is!! My official Halloween illustration!<br /> <br />
I decided to go with one of the all time best Halloween movies. HOCUS
POCUS!! This movie was Halloween for me as a kid and I know it's the
same for many others. I'd drawn a Hocus Pocus pic before but I was never
completely happy with it and I REALLY wanted to get Billy Burcherson in
there. <br /> <br /> I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Halloween!!</span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjwMD8cyWRo/UnALa-ko_vI/AAAAAAAAAfA/kN-LwrHk7M0/s1600/Hocus+Pocus+New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjwMD8cyWRo/UnALa-ko_vI/AAAAAAAAAfA/kN-LwrHk7M0/s320/Hocus+Pocus+New.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-25364189660267158212013-10-03T13:20:00.002-07:002013-10-03T13:20:27.188-07:00Why Children's Books?<div class="_5k3v _5k3w clearfix">
<div>
When people find out that I write and draw for children I’m inevitably asked, “Why?”<br />
<br />
<span> </span>Turns
out being a children’s illustrator can be a bit awkward in social
situations. It usually goes a bit like this, “Kevin, this is Mr.
Whatshisface. He constructs airplanes for the army and is the Head
Surgeon at Very Important Medical Office. Mr. Whatshisface, this is
Kevin. He draws the darlingest things for little kiddies.” <span> </span><br />
<br />
Mr.
Whatshisface will concede that there is a place in the world for what I
do and he maybe recalls being a child once upon a time. He’ll point out
that there are greater artistic opportunities that he’s sure I’m in
pursuit of and entertaining children is merely a stepping-stone.
Certainly, I long to fill galleries with opulent pieces of art that show
my deep inner turmoil or make a political statement. After all, I’m
very talented, he’ll say, and I shouldn’t waste my time drawing Fart
Monsters. He’ll then politely remove himself from the conversation in
search of someone of more interest to him. <span> </span><br />
<br />
The truth is, I love drawing and writing for children, and here’s why: Magic, Nostalgia and Laughter. <span> </span><br />
<br />
Let me explain. <span> </span><br />
<br />
Books
are magic. Children’s books especially. Think of the book WHERE THE
WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak. When you go back and look at it,
there’s very little to it. Very few words and it barely gets into the
inner workings of its fantastic world or even the Wild Things
themselves. But that’s where its beauty and its magic lies. To a child
that openness allows their imagination to take hold and build all of
that themselves. And when that child closes that book he/she can still
have endless adventures of their own in the land of the Wild Things.<br />
<br />
If
you were lucky, that book was a part of your childhood in a big way.
You remember being fascinated by those creatures and begging your mom or
dad to make you a Max outfit so you can run wild tell them you’ll EAT
THEM UP!! You also probably remember moving out of your parent’s house
and, while going through your old things, you found that book and your
face lit up as all the memories rushed over you. And now, as an adult,
you probably read that book to your kids and watch with unutterable joy
as they play the same games and you shudder dramatically when they tell
you that they’ll EAT YOU UP!!<br />
<br />
That nostalgia carried for
generations and will continue to do so for many more. And when we’re old
and our minds start to go backwards we can take comfort in the fact
that the childhood memories of having a wild rompus with the great Wild
Things will be waiting for us.<br />
<br />
I want to give that to
children. I want to give them worlds to play in and characters who will
stand by their side through all their adventures. But most of all, I
want to give them laughter.<br />
<br />
Children know how to laugh
like no one else. They laugh unabashedly at anything and everything they
find funny. As children we see the world through very clear windows.
Granted, they’re small windows but they’re unobscured. As we get older
and our view of the world gets larger, our parents, teachers and our own
experiences take over our view. We’re told that this is funny and that
is not. That it’s impolite to laugh when someone farts.<span> </span>But
when you’re a child, none of that matters. If you walk into a room of
businessmen and let loose a long, loud fart that sounds like a choking
moose, you will be met with uncomfortable glances and looks of disgust.
Perhaps one slightly enlightened individual will not be able to contain a
snicker or a grin. But if you walk into a classroom or a playground
filled with children and let that Fart Monster roar you will be met with
an almost endless bombardment of laughter and joy. They will go home
and tell their parents about the grown-up who farted so loudly that he
came a foot off the ground!<br />
<br />
Children find such joy in such
simple things. Perhaps, I draw and write for children because I envy
them of that quality and, having left the joyous life of childhood
behind so long ago, I wish to recapture it as best I can by sharing in
it with them. Or perhaps there’s some switch in my brain that never
quite clicked on all the way, which leaves me regarding children in a
much higher esteem than adults in most situations. Or perhaps I just
deeply wish to be able to fart loudly in public areas and be able to
laugh hysterically afterwards without being looked down upon for my
obvious social retardation.<br />
<br />
Either way, entertaining
children through writing and drawing is where I intend to spend the
majority of my time. I may never cure diseases or build complex
machinery but when your children or grandchildren are running through
the yard because they’re flying with witches under a full moon or are
battling an ancient race of Fart Monsters commanded by the treacherous
Queen Tootin-Often to ensure cleaner air to breathe for the whole
world…. I did that.<br />
<br />
And I'm damn proud of it.</div>
</div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-11534149918753655122013-08-27T06:21:00.002-07:002013-08-27T06:21:47.406-07:00Kingdom Keepers CalendarSo, my piece was chosen to grace the cover to the Kingdom Keepers 2014 Calendar! If you're a fan of the series be sure to swing by and pick one up!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/2014_kingdom_keepers_calendar-158111976208133351">Kingdom Keepers 2014 Calendar!</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxd5UeolifM/Uhyn41Po8bI/AAAAAAAAAeM/guj-zNRY5Wc/s1600/Kingdom+Keepers+New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxd5UeolifM/Uhyn41Po8bI/AAAAAAAAAeM/guj-zNRY5Wc/s320/Kingdom+Keepers+New.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-28559220262293836792013-08-14T09:49:00.000-07:002013-08-14T09:49:35.229-07:00Batman Fun!I miss drawing superheroes....<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xW08Fvmh7EM/Ugu07FAi8II/AAAAAAAAAd8/JWNTg9unP28/s1600/Batman+Test+Panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xW08Fvmh7EM/Ugu07FAi8II/AAAAAAAAAd8/JWNTg9unP28/s320/Batman+Test+Panel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-5193692630959489532013-08-05T12:47:00.003-07:002013-08-05T12:47:56.726-07:00Steven Tyler CommissionIt seems that most of my commissions lately have been either rock stars
or drawing people's pets in genre movies..... I guess there are worse
things to do.<br /><br />My Facebook: <a class="external" href="http://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks">www.facebook.com/mrdinks</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XVxZtx03w/UgABXnCcAoI/AAAAAAAAAdk/bN_nuni7omU/s1600/Steven+Tyler+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XVxZtx03w/UgABXnCcAoI/AAAAAAAAAdk/bN_nuni7omU/s320/Steven+Tyler+Final.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-17439810295576151962013-07-31T09:29:00.000-07:002013-07-31T09:29:26.655-07:00Zombie in Love<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">A little zombie fun based on the kids book Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7-tvHHVeXo/Ufk7UEtW-dI/AAAAAAAAAck/_t5JlWRogAk/s1600/Zombie+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7-tvHHVeXo/Ufk7UEtW-dI/AAAAAAAAAck/_t5JlWRogAk/s320/Zombie+Love.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-68909823525395807442013-07-29T10:44:00.003-07:002013-07-29T10:44:55.844-07:00Batman Concept<span class="userContent">This is a Batman design I started playing
with. I like the way it came out but I don't think I like the pointed
shoulders. It works nice if he's silhouetted but I may remove them
'cause they look out of place when you start to see him in motion.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">I miss drawing superheroes.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9wCAvKhdpM/UfaqB06wNPI/AAAAAAAAAcM/runm8bVnBts/s1600/Black+Batman+concept+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9wCAvKhdpM/UfaqB06wNPI/AAAAAAAAAcM/runm8bVnBts/s320/Black+Batman+concept+copy.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-82732586144275773752013-07-25T13:58:00.000-07:002013-07-25T13:58:06.256-07:00<span class="userContent">I was asked to do another submission for the
Kingdom Keepers Calendar. After talking with the woman I learned that
Maleficent plays a large role in some of the books. She's one of my
favorite Disney bad guys so I jumped at the chance to draw her only to
learn that they can't legally use the Disney movie version so I had to
give her a bit of a redesign while keeping her recognizable.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIEHJyT7KGE/UfGRVeeRAGI/AAAAAAAAAb4/2vKBDaoCqm8/s1600/Kingdom+Keepers+New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIEHJyT7KGE/UfGRVeeRAGI/AAAAAAAAAb4/2vKBDaoCqm8/s320/Kingdom+Keepers+New.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-79439510178058171872013-07-22T13:46:00.002-07:002013-07-22T13:46:32.589-07:0070's Keith RichardA little commission fun!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6r_Agquj6E/Ue2aIUuTZzI/AAAAAAAAAbg/aOU0tSmzBvs/s1600/Keith+Richards+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6r_Agquj6E/Ue2aIUuTZzI/AAAAAAAAAbg/aOU0tSmzBvs/s320/Keith+Richards+copy.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-38424181437485852152013-07-18T10:17:00.002-07:002013-07-18T10:23:41.194-07:00So, you remember this puppy?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7pV-3rH1z6I/Uegi04v34LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/yNejkKXb8ig/s1600/Star+Oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7pV-3rH1z6I/Uegi04v34LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/yNejkKXb8ig/s320/Star+Oz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, it got except to be put up on Qwertee, a t-shirt site that sells a different t-shirt every day. Only thing is I need YOU to vote for it to actually get made. So, if you'd be so kind, stop by:<br />
<br />
http://www.qwertee.com/product/he-s-the-brains-sweetheart/ <br />
<br />
And drop me a vote. You won't regret it!! Every vote comes with a free hug!! You know... unless you're smelly or something....Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-139082005198328622013-07-17T13:28:00.001-07:002013-07-17T13:28:36.911-07:00It is perhaps the greatest thing in the world when you find that person
in your life that you know will ALWAYS be by your side. That person who
is there when things are darkest in your life, even when there's nothing
they can do to fix it. They're with you, arms always outstretched in
loving comfort and support.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITa_GOlfqmo/Ueb-Y8d4PsI/AAAAAAAAAa8/lz6LYCUYuWE/s1600/Truer+than+True.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITa_GOlfqmo/Ueb-Y8d4PsI/AAAAAAAAAa8/lz6LYCUYuWE/s320/Truer+than+True.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-88001666394882042013-07-16T11:00:00.000-07:002013-07-16T11:00:02.746-07:00Star OzA t-shirt design that I've been wanting to do for a long time now.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYC1rsedY9Q/UeWJ5YtCFTI/AAAAAAAAAas/WdgNep-wuNU/s1600/Star+Oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYC1rsedY9Q/UeWJ5YtCFTI/AAAAAAAAAas/WdgNep-wuNU/s320/Star+Oz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-91278755221493424692013-07-15T14:05:00.001-07:002013-07-15T14:05:11.951-07:00Kingdom Keepers CalendarThis was done as an entry into an art contest for a 2014 calendar for a series of young adult books called Kingdom Keepers. <br /><br />My
biggest difficulty on this was that I'm completely unfamiliar with the
series. But it takes place in Disney amusement parks so I made sure I
had a good time by jumping right into the Haunted Mansion.<br /><br />My Facebook: <a class="external" href="http://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks">[link]</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suH1-70a_GY/UeRj8hjyzII/AAAAAAAAAac/QwBuJ3U7OqA/s1600/Kingdom+Keepers+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suH1-70a_GY/UeRj8hjyzII/AAAAAAAAAac/QwBuJ3U7OqA/s320/Kingdom+Keepers+Calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-26624165321353058032013-07-11T10:43:00.001-07:002013-07-11T10:43:07.764-07:00Here's a few more poem/drawings I've done recently. The Fart Monster was a special favorite of mine..... cause I don't care how old you get, farts are ALWAYS funny.<br />
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The Kiddo Jerome poem was done traditionally for a friend which is why it wasn't added to the image like the others. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bL4hc46PqVw/Ud7ugM0aCNI/AAAAAAAAAaI/VG_WBcGNzWs/s1600/Kiddo+Jerome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bL4hc46PqVw/Ud7ugM0aCNI/AAAAAAAAAaI/VG_WBcGNzWs/s320/Kiddo+Jerome.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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THE TERRIBLE TALE OF KIDDO JEROME<br /><br />There once was a boy named Kiddo Jerome<br />Who decided one day to run away from his home.<br />He lived on the streets causing mischief aplenty<br />But he was killed by a mob just before he turned twenty.<br />They say he still haunts those dim, darkened streets,<br />And he flies through the alleys spouting terrible shrieks.<br />So if you find yourself walking through the alleys at night<br />And you hear a soft sound like the wisp of a kite,<br />You’d better hurry up and get yourself home<br />Before you hear the terrible cry of KIDDO JEROME!</div>
Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-34436719778218955462013-07-10T08:19:00.004-07:002013-07-10T08:19:53.348-07:00P.I.CKLESWhen I get a commission to draw someone's pet I groan to myself. Drawing people's pets is usually soooo boring. So when my fiance's best friend came to me and asked me to draw her cat Pickles I felt that usual groan begin to echo in my head but then she said "But I don't want him to look realistic. I want him to be the star in a detective noir film! You know with a trench coat and everything!"<br />
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In a single moment that silent groan became a very audible "WOOHOOO!!" I had a stupid amount of fun on this one. I was genuinely sad when it was done.<br />
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<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-72769442010017804732013-07-08T11:12:00.001-07:002013-07-08T11:12:31.609-07:00This is a little something I did for my fiance but I thought that most people would enjoy it and relate to it.<br />
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<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-8210098534261043962013-04-18T07:38:00.001-07:002013-04-18T07:38:05.662-07:00Minerva & Mr. RufflesIt's been awhile since I've done a digital painting so when I got commissioned to do one I had to shake of the rust and get back into painting mode. Thus, this little diddy was born. I have no idea what's going on here but I like the overall feel of it.<br />
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Don't forget to check me out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks<br />
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<br />Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-73087055821304904902013-03-06T07:03:00.001-08:002013-03-06T07:04:32.804-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBG5721vJvQ/UTdas6BA6QI/AAAAAAAAAXE/-CS-EdI5bt8/s1600/February+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBG5721vJvQ/UTdas6BA6QI/AAAAAAAAAXE/-CS-EdI5bt8/s320/February+BW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like the Ducks picture I did, this was done for the Neil Gaiman Calendar
of Tales project. This was from the story for February. I did two
versions of this because I wasn't sure how well this would work out in
full black in and white so I did a version in desaturated warm and cool
gray tones.Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-78364744689346999182013-02-28T18:02:00.002-08:002013-02-28T18:02:20.512-08:00Trust the Ducks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been working on a few pieces for an art contest to illustrate several short stories written by the great Neil Gaiman. Each month got its own story and I chose two in particular that jumped out at me. I just finished up this one so I thought I'd share. This one's for the month of April. I chose it for two reasons. One: it's my birthday month so it seems appropriate. Two: I absolutely adored one of the last lines. I liked it so much I made it a part of the piece. Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-34049816634089541572013-01-17T18:22:00.000-08:002013-01-17T18:22:19.782-08:00Well ladies and dudes I've got my Facebook page up and running. I'll be posting lots of works in progress as well as updates on my much-loved Bud-A-Bean & Mr. Dinks project. If you're excited, bored or just really really wanna be awesome be sure to stop in and check me out.... in a totally non-stalker like way of course.<br /><br />Also be sure find all your friends, family, neighbors and even that creepy guy who stands behind you breathing heavily in the super market and tell them all to like my page and maybe hit me up for a commission or two.<br /><br />Take care, kids and I'll see you all on the inter-web.<br /><br />All the best.<br /><br />Oh, here's the link! I think you need that and stuff ---------------> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks">https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks</a><a class="external" href="http://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?https://www.facebook.com/mrdinks"></a>Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037891621234258508.post-53714384055365884272013-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:002013-01-14T11:01:52.828-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s43Hghsuh1s/UPRV0lUnl4I/AAAAAAAAAWI/nMeWxlnjQl4/s1600/the_battle_with_baron_von_teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s43Hghsuh1s/UPRV0lUnl4I/AAAAAAAAAWI/nMeWxlnjQl4/s320/the_battle_with_baron_von_teddy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This was done as a personal piece as both a throw-back to my childhood
and all the adventures I had but also as a tribute to the future life
I've begun to build with my fiance.Mr. Dinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08703521338505669084noreply@blogger.com0