Cappy Dick's Coloring Contest

"Hey, Kids! Try for these WONDERFUL PRIZES!"

Sunday mornings as a kid, I remember waking to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying in a pan, the soft murmur of indistinct conversation between Mom and Dad, and the rustling sound of the enormous Sunday newspaper. No matter how early I would wake, somehow my older brother managed to commandeer the Sunday Comic section, which we referred to as “The Funny Paper.” For all my waiting, it seemed that he held onto that colorful collection of kiddie-goodness way longer than necessary.

When I finally got my eager little hands on The Funny Paper — usually after Church, after lunch, and then only during whatever seasonal sport was being broadcast — as I flipped through the pages, my eyes were filled with the magical CMYK color combinations of the latest installments of comic strips like “Peanuts,” “Priscilla’s Pop,” “Wizard of Id,” “Tumbleweed,”and “Nancy and Sluggo.”

But the real attraction for this budding young artist was "Cappy Dick," the popular children’s activity (nationally syndicated 1939-1987). Every week, the Captain had a drawing for kids to color with the chance to win prizes like an entire set of World Book Encyclopedias. Oh! How I would have loved to win that prize! The well-used set of encyclopedias our family had was still useful...to a point. Even though the facts were accurate, it was a bit outdated. The entry for the Moon ended with “Someday we may put a man on the Moon.”

While the lure of a fresh-off-the-press set of encyclopedias was attractive to me, the prize I really had my eye on was the authentic electric metal detector. I could just imagine the hours of fun I would have finding lost and buried treasure, thereby becoming independently wealthy before the age of 12. It wasn’t until later did I realize that in addition to coins, metal detectors also unearthed an over-abundance of rusty nails and soda cans pop-tabs.

In addition to these wonderful grand prize offerings to a weekly winner, Cappy Dick also selected 10 runners-up to receive a consolation prize. While I never won any of the top prizes, I did win several consolation prizes. To me, that was just as cool, because my name would appear in the newspaper along with the other nine winners. A win is a win! 

Scrapbooking before scrapbooking was considered "cool."

The artistic process was simple. Cappy Dick’s drawing would be cut out of the newspaper, then pasted in the middle of a blank sheet of paper. After completing the drawing around it, I would color it with colored-pencil — still one of my favorite art mediums today. I wish there were color copiers or digital scanners back then. It would have been nice to have copies of my drawings. I often wondered what the other kids’ art looked like, but the newspaper didn’t publish the drawings. Nonetheless, I can still see the details of my drawings in my mind’s eye.

My first win came when I was 10 years old. I recall coloring a turkey for the contest. The prize was a set of four wooden tops of varying sizes. They were painted red with a little bit of decorative carving on them. I didn’t have endless hours of adventure with them, like I would have had with the metal detector, but it was an honor to be selected as a winner nonetheless.

I vaguely remember another Cappy Dick win. I didn’t see the announcement in the newspaper. I cannot recall the drawing, and because I don’t have the newspaper clipping, I have nothing from which to reference and jog my memory. Nonetheless, I remember the feeling of happy surprise, when one day another set of tops arrived unannounced in the mail. This time they were made of a dark gray plastic. They looked like upside down mushrooms. They weren’t very fun to look at.

It was a "major award"!

Then there was a cowboy scene. It was one of those art projects you put intense hours of labor into, but it just didn’t come out right. My cowboy looked odd. Honestly, I felt it was the worst drawing I’d ever done. But it was good enough for a “W” and the prize of a leather craft kit to make a key fob arrived one day in the morning mail. It was about this time that I began to be my own worst critic. I also began to suspect that maybe the 10 winners were not chosen by talent, but rather by random drawing. Since I could never be sure about that, I adopted the "You never know what the judges will like" paradigm.

My final Cappy Dick contest involved a drawing of a desert island. Pasted in the middle of the paper, I drew the windshield and dashboard of a speedboat around it. I thought it was pretty clever at the time, considering I’d never been on a speedboat. The consolation prize was a Pirate coin: a real live doubloon with the word “COPY” discreetly stamped on the bottom of it. I can still recall the excitement “shiver in me timbers” the first time I held the coin in the palm of my hand. Today, it remains one of my prized possessions from childhood as a symbol of recognition for my artistic talent and competitive spirit.

Sadly not long after that, Cappy Dick’s feature was dropped from The Funny Papers. It has since been replaced with the likes of the educational “Beakman and Jax,” and some doodle activities without contests or prizes.

In the years that followed, I’ve earned many honors, awards and ribbons for my creativity, art and design. Each one is an accomplishment to be proud of, but I will always treasure my early Cappy Dick contest experiences.

Inspired by The Sunday Funny Pages.

Pet Sounds

Oil painting of my Bagel by me.

Inspired by my class project for blogging, Tony, a nature and wildlife photographer friend of mine, returned to his own blog after a 13-month hiatus. His topics vary from photography to politics, but it is apparent he enjoys writing about his pets. A recent post about his dog “Rebel,” and a memorial post about his beloved dog “Whiskey,” got me thinking of my own family dog “Bagel.”

Bagel was the coolest dog. He was playful and smart and he knew lots of tricks. He was an excellent guardian and an even better companion.

Bagel chilling out to some Beach Boys music.

One summer afternoon, I lay in the sun reading a Charles Schultz “Peanuts” comic book. It was one of the earlier editions where Snoopy still walked on all four paws like a real dog. Bagel lay in another part of the yard in the shade. Giggling out loud, I called him to come to me and he obediently wandered over to me. As he lay on the beach towel next to me, I put my arm around him and propped the comic book in front of his muzzle. “Look how silly Snoopy is being!” I said to Bagel as he touched the page with his nose, leaving a wet smudge. Laughing, I read the entire comic page out loud to him, pointing out the funny facial expressions Snoopy was making. Whether or not Bagel thought I was crazy, he never let on. My dog was very tolerant of much of my whimsy. 

So when my friend Sue wanted to hire me to draw a caricature of her daughter with her new Dalmatian puppy, how could I say “no” to a girl and her dog? The bond can be so strong between some people and their pets, that many owners want to memorialize their animals in any manner they can.

My friend David is a one of the best 4-color pressmen I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. He is familiar with both my professional design work and my freelance illustration. I’ve done several independent jobs for him, from Christmas cards and calendars to designing a label for his homemade brew. But the most interesting work I have done for him was a commissioned sketch as a birthday gift for his mother. It was fun to work from the old school photos of David, but the most unusual element was the inclusion his beloved dog “Worf” smack in the middle of in the drawing!

Speaking of working from photographs, my colleague Scott recently contacted me about helping to spread the word about his freelance/side business “The Pet Sketcher.” It is a service he provides… um… sketching pets from photographs.

The whole idea behind Social Media is the act of being “social.” It is the active support of each member’s efforts to attain self-set goals. If you have moment to view Tony’s nature and wildlife photography on his flickr page or his web site, please do so. Check out “The Pet Sketcher” on Facebook to see the quality of Scott’s work. Leave a comment for them both to let them know how you found their online sites, and what you think of their work. 

Friends inspiring Artists. And vice versa.

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One of the important aspects in Social Media Marketing and Web design is to consider using words and phrases in the titles that will garner the most hits and increase viewer traffic to web and blog pages. What is the point of posting it on the Internet if no one is viewing it? 

So, if your search engine directed you to this page because you are a Beach Boys purist, and you were looking for Pet Sounds music, I’d like to say first: “The Beach Boys rock!” And second: “Mea Culpa” for blatantly testing the marketing tactics. I hope you enjoyed the post anyway! –CM

Superman Socks

Flying high in my (homemade) Superman Socks!

In the Fall of 2011, my nephews were at the house for a visit, and the older one said to me, “Aunti, get your laptop, I want to show you something on the internet.” 

My initial reaction was “Uh-oh…What could possibly be interesting to a teenager AND me?”

As I booted up the old lappy, I gently warned him, “This better not be stupid.” He assured me it was not, but instead it would be funny. Still I was leery. There is some weird stuff out in cyber space. I’ve known many adolescent boys in my time…and plenty of adolescent men. But I also know my nephew and I trust him. We have a close enough relationship that he would know what NOT to share with me.

His fingers hunted and pecked the keyboard, filling in the search field in YouTube. As he typed, my nephew tried to explain, “There are these two guys…they go around making street music.”  His explanation really didn’t help.  What the heck is “street music”?

My nephew found the video he was looking for and, I have to say, he was right. Aside from some of the language used, I actually thought "Street Music" was kind of amusing. Well, it was also a little stupid. But the creativity outweighed the stupidity, and that made it OK somehow.

Like a couple of modern day troubadours, these two young guys, Nice Peter and Kassem G, went around in fairly populated public places with nothing but a guitar, a tambourine and a cameraman in tow. They stood on the sidewalk harmonizing improvisational songs about the people who walked past. Much of the contents were goofy observations about the color of shirts people wore or the type of pets brought to the boardwalk.

There are videos aplenty on YouTube by both these guys. One popular music video was inspired by an encounter (altercation?) with a guy in “Street Music.” It is a hilarious song called, “Superman Socks.” 

More than that, though, I am most impressed by Nice Peter's other ventures on the internet.

Nice Peter has several Web venues, but my favorite is his weekly vlog (Video Log) called “The Monday Show.” I enjoy tuning in because he is always so cheerful and just so…NICE. His easy demeanor, soft-spoken words and general joviality give Nice Peter an air of genuine sincerity. He’s like “Mr. Rogers” for the Web…sort of. (And all the girls want to marry him!)

There were very few things that could cheer me following the loss of my job in the Winter of 2011, but somehow, Nice Peter always could. One of my favorite episodes of The Monday Show on the NicePeterToo YouTube Channel is about being “Listless.” By chance, I happened to view it on a bright sunny day when I was feeling gray and…um…listless.

(Did I mention all the girls want to marry him?)

The crazy success of Nice Peter’s YouTube endeavors is an outstanding example of Social Media at its best. Some of his postings receive 2 million hits, and all of them from around the world. When I ponder the goals for my own social media ventures, I am encouraged by the marriage of the simplicity and the complexity of Nice Peter’s efforts and enterprise. The secret? He has genuine talent and he happily shares it.

They say things happen for a reason. I’m glad that my nephew turned me on to Nice Peter.

I’ve been inspired by “Superman Socks.”

Laughing In Stereo

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Mom’s cousin is married to a fellow from our family’s ancestral motherland, Poland. A few years back Janek’s mother came to visit for the summer. She did not speak English, but thankfully we know enough of the language of our posterity to communicate with her. Upon introductions, she pointed to my Mom and me and inquired, “Siostra?”

“No,” I replied with a smile, “Moja Matka.“ I pointed first to myself and then to Mom. Janek’s mother’s eyes went wide, “NOo….” She responded in disbelief. Everyone in the room burst out with laughter, while in a quick barrage of Polish, which I was not skilled enough to translate, Janek’s mother continued expressing her surprise at our Mother-Daughter revelation.

The reaction of Janek’s mother was not an uncommon one. Many people we meet often mistake Mom and me for sisters, rather than Parent/Offspring. And really, it’s no wonder.

Me and Mom at a festival.  (Who is that guy??)

We like a lot of the same things and hold many of the same values. We can make each other laugh, and finish each other’s sentences (most of the time). We are alike in a lot of ways. Some people say we even “laugh in stereo.”

We do almost everything together. That is in part because Mom doesn’t drive. But aside from going to the grocery store, doctor visits and dental appointments, we do voluntarily hang around together. When we are out having fun, I rarely call her “Mom.” On occasion, I will call her by her given name, but that makes me uncomfortable, because I feel it shows a lack of respect. It is easier for me to call her “Girlfriend.” (Even now, typing that moniker is making me smile!)

Halloween at karaoke. (We always dress like that.)

Who else would get into a car during a blizzard to attend a Winter Dance Party right after having gall bladder surgery? Mom. (Our car slid into a snow bank and I had to shovel it out by myself in my saddle shoes. Call it karma.)

Who else would sit through hours of late night karaoke, just to hear me sing for two and a half minutes, then either “high five” me or ask, “How do YOU think you did on that one?” Only Mom. (Really, she doesn’t pull any punches.)

We often say, “it's not important WHAT you do, but rather WHO you do it with.” Only someone who loves you would do all that and more. These details do not go unnoticed. There are oodles of funny experiences we’ve shared—we call them “episodes”. I will eventually share some of them with you.

Aloha from Elvis Week, with our "Blue Hawaiians".

Today is Mom’s birthday and the story of Mom I want to share with you is one of my earliest memories of her. I remember sitting on the couch next to Mom while she taught my older brother to read before he started Kindergarten. She taught me to read when I was three years old. One of the greatest gifts Mom ever gave me is the gift of literacy. It has opened the door to education for me, allows for adventure in my life, and inspires me to dream. If it weren’t for Mom, this Blog would not exist.

Today’s entry: Inspired by Mom.

Ash Wednesday

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Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent—the period of preparation for the Holiest Day of the Catholic Church, Easter. It is more than Friday fish fries and “giving up” a bad habit. It is a time of penance, prayer and alms giving. It could be a time start a "good" habit.

A friend of mine, who is of the Baptist Christian faith, once asked me about Lent. She wanted to understand what the self-sacrifice was about, and thought maybe her young sons might benefit from the practice. I told her fasting and abstinence can be easier if you do not think of it as “giving something up”, but rather “giving up to God.”

Since my childhood, I’ve fasted from sweets during Lent—except for fruits and birthday cake. Each time I am tempted by a sweet treat, I remember in my heart to “give it up to God” in the form of a prayer. It’s not much, really, just a brief “This is for You, Lord.” Here's a secret: God likes it whenever you think about Him!

A few years ago I made a conscious effort to focus more on the prayer part of Lent. I developed what I call my “Jesus Drawings.” In a small sketchbook, I try to draw one illustration each week during the Lenten Season. And even though some are very personal, I share them with my family on Easter.

As I sit on my bed and write this entry, I have chosen to share this illustration with you. It is one of the “Jesus Drawings” from 2007, long before I ever thought about blogging. Having a presence on the internet can be risky business. I believe Jesus is watching over my shoulder, guarding my heart, and guiding my words. 

Talk about Divine Inspiration!

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P.S. Here's a list of my favorite movies to watch during Lent. Enjoy!

Career Advice from the 'Younger Me'

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A common, if not “cheesy”, interview question often posed by potential employers is “If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give to the “Younger You”?  It’s one of those non-scientific, psychological inquiries used to assess a candidate’s maturity, wisdom, and maybe, sense of humor. They’ll tell you there is no “right” answer. Which begs the question, “Why ask it at all?”

A better question to ask might be, “What words of advice would you get from the ‘Younger You’?”

In the 1986 movie Peggy Sue Got Married, Kathleen Turner’s character goes back in time and has the chance to change her life history.  Instead, the “mature” Peggy Sue learns a life lesson while revisiting her younger days, finds renewed purpose to her life, and rediscovers her happiness.

Recently, I came across an old article about Desktop Publishing from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “Careers” section. In the upbeat article, reporter Heidi F. Schudrowitz interviewed a local art director whom she referred to as an “expert” in the field. I was that art director. I smiled as I read the old article, now peppered with archaic terminology, when a quote at the bottom of the page caught me by surprise: “Don’t be afraid of computers.”

“What?,” I wondered, “Whatever happened to that girl who was so excited about new technology?”

At the time that article was written, I primarily designed for print media but had begun dabbling in web design. In fact, that is how the reporter found me. While looking through the graphic design listing in the local Yellow Pages, our company’s colorful display ad—which I designed—caught her attention.  It drove her to the company’s simple website—which I also designed. Ms. Schudrowicz liked what she saw and called the company owner to set up an interview. You might call that a successful “print-to-digital” media push!

After the article was published, job-changes led me deeper into the print industry where I enjoyed cutting edge print technology. While exciting and very fulfilling, creative jobs in the shrinking print industry were becoming scarce. With more and more employers asking for web design and social media experience, a career shift was necessary for me.

Professionally speaking, working with the Internet can be creative, informative and meaningful. Technology can also be frustrating, and judging from news reports, downright scary at times. To begin my own successful “print-to-digital” push, I had to hear my own voice, speaking to me from the Past: “Don’t be afraid of computers.” And like Peggy Sue, I returned to school. Today, there is renewed purpose to my career…and I find I am truly happy again.

Inspired by advice from the “Younger Me.”

This photo was taken by photographer Tom Lynn.

Hey Buddy

Buddy Holly, American music icon, was a versatile Talent. He was a composer as well as an exciting performer.

His music inspired many artists of his time: Elvis, Fabian and Ricky Nelson. His musical inspiration reached around the world to musicians like Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon, The Knack. Performers today like Martina McBride still cover Buddy's songs. His music inspires musical generations from Don McClean's "American Pie" to Weezer's "Buddy Holly".

Me with John Mueller

I had an opportunity to speak with Joe Esposito, Elvis Presley's best friend, and I asked if Elvis had ever met Buddy or covered any of his songs. Though the artists covered some of the same songs, Joe did not believe they had ever met, and said that Elvis liked Buddy's music and respected his talent.

Beyond rocking the guitar, Buddy was one of the early rock and roll pioneers to use multi-track recording. Using creative license to play with tempo and rearrange scores, he often made multiple recordings of a song. Lucky for us there are literally hundreds of recordings of these musical arrangements waiting to be released.

John Mueller is the nation's premier Buddy Holly tribute artist. His portrayal is awesomely uncanny. Watching John perform, you'll think Buddy is in the theater! Buddy Holly's family endorses him as the "closest thing to Buddy." I have had the pleasure to meet John at several of his performances over the years.

With the Winter Dance Party Stars!

Like Buddy, John also composes his own music. His closes his shows with an original ode to Holly in a whimsical song called, "Hey Buddy."

John tours with the "Winter Dance Party" that includes performances by J.P. Richardson, Jr., the son of "The Big Bopper", and Ray Anthony who does an electric portrayal of Ritchie Valens.

Today marks the anniversary of the plane crash that took Buddy's life, and the lives of J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Ritchie Valens, and pilot, Roger Peterson.

Buddy Holly's inspiration lives on.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: It is with a sad heart that I update this posting. J.P. Richardson Jr. "The Big Bopper Jr." passed away on August 21, 2013. I had the pleasure of seeing "Big Bopper Jr" perform several times at the Winter Dance Party Tours when it came to southeastern Wisconsin. His performance would have made his Dad proud. I had the opportunity to meet him and speak with him after one of the shows. He was cordial and funny, and it was clear he enjoyed being a part of his father's legacy. It will be difficult to attend future WDPs because JP Jr. was a true link to history, and he will surely be missed. Condolences to the Richardson family and a great big "Thank You" to them for sharing their husband/father/grandfather with the rest of us by allowing JP to tour. He brought much happiness to thousands of people.