Last Friday I drove down to Southern California to visit with some friends and attend few events.
My first stop was a visit with my book distributor to the trade stores, SCB Distributors. It’s always good to meet with them to discuss how our books are selling, what the market is looking like, and brainstorm ideas about improving and growing. Ideas on the future of digital books is of great interest to me. The owner at SCB, Aaron Silverman, gave me some good tips that I will be applying in the near future. I’ll share those plans here in this blog once they are concrete and implemented.
Then I was off to meet up with Craig Elliott who, I had the pleasure of spending a few days with. For those that aren’t aware of Craig, I have some links at the end of this blog that will inform you of his art and person. He is a truly skilled craftsman. Craig works in film, is an accomplished fine artist, has a line of jewelry, and can build a home if needed. He’s one of those rare all around guys who can do it all. He has worked on Bee Movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, Treasure Planet and many more films.
Craig and I went to the Pasadena Book Fair on Saturday. Bud Plant and Anne Hutchinson, plus Stuart Ng Books both had a booth at the show. I enjoyed getting the chance to talk to all of them. I also had the opportunity to meet the astounding artist Dean Yeagle. Craig was kind enough to introduce us. Then, I was surprised to bump into my friend Tom Peak, son of Bob Peak, along with Tom’s daughter. Tom filled me in on the new Bob Peak exhibit running at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs until April 17, 2011. Tom also shared the progress of the Bob Peak book he is spearheading. The collection is still in development. The Bob Peak website will have details once it becomes available.
That evening, Craig and I went to the Nucleus Gallery for the opening reception of “Poster Peepshow: The Art of the Pin Up.” The showroom was packed with people and beautiful art. Besides Craig Elliott, other artists featured and in attendance were Olivia De Berardinis, Jim Silke and Dean Yeagle. Silke was signing his new book that I published, Jungle Girls, along with his previous titles from Dark Horse. William Stout even showed up, but we completely missed each other in the large crowd. You can see pictures of the event on the Nucleus Gallery website. Our pal Mary from Stuart Ng Books even showed up. Nucleus has a terrific bookstore. They carry our Flesk Silke and Stout books. Plus, to top off a fine evening, Nucleus served cheesecake.
It’s been too long since I have attended an event that I was not a part of. I liked the relaxed feeling of not being responsible for anything. I had a great time.
Sunday I had the opportunity to spend some time with William Stout. Besides seeing how many different projects he is currently involved with, (second zombie calendar, CD covers for the Smithereens and Rob Zombie, and film design) we had the chance to go over a few future projects we will be working on together. (You will have to wait to hear about those later!)
Enjoy,
John
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
text and photographs © 2011 John Fleskes
Links:
Poster Peepshow exhibit information and reception pictures
Gallery Nucleus
Jungle Girls by Jim Silke book details
Jim Silke website
Craig Elliott website
Craig Elliott Fine Jewelry website
William Stout website
Bob Peak website
Bob Peak Exhibit at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
SCB Distributors
Flesk Publications