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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 16, 2011.

An Eric Dolphy Summer

Update #11 · Aug 17, 2011 · 2 comments

Good morning, Dolphyites!

Thought maybe you’d like a brief update on how I’m spending my summer. While you’re outside getting a tan or catching a wave, I’m at home having a ball working on my labor of love, “Eric Dolphy: His Life and Art”.

Research has been a big part of the process and is ongoing. There are only a few useful books on Dolphy available, so I have had to rely on various magazine pieces, internet articles, personal anecdotes, and academic writing as well. But the challenge is to have Eric emerge as a person, not historical figure (I’ll leave that to others) – a living, breathing artist and human being on a compelling personal journey.  At a proposed 74 pages, I won’t be able to touch on every significant musical event in his life (and there were many), but I hope to create a personal interpretation that is entertaining and emotional.

I’m well into the drawing stage, sketching out layouts. I work from a partial script, updating as I go along. After laying or loosely sketching out each page, I draw them in tightly in pencil, ink them with a pen or brush, and scan them in the computer, where I add color in Photoshop. It is a long, slow moving process, which requires plenty of visual reference and research as well.

But the important thing is I’m having fun and enjoying the work, angling hard to meet my deadline!

Best to you this sunny season,

K.

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Comments

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      Creator dean westerfield on October 22, 2011

      I love seeing the pictures above. can you share more? We would love to see more of the process.

    2. Missing_small

      Creator Lewis N. Nelson on August 21, 2011

      Hello Keith Brown,

      Let your heart be your guide in developing, expanding and sharing your art, and your unique talents. Time will keep on ticking, so there's no need to rush creativity.

      Although I am trained in architecture and law, having played a little piano and alto saxophone, Eric Dolphy has been my favorite jazz musician since my early 20's and I have been a jazz lover since the age of 17 (50 years ago) starting while in high school in Los Angeles. I still have most of the original Dolphy albums on wax (in mint condition) which only myself and one other person has ever been allowed to handle since my college years in the early 60's.

      Thanks for sharing the project update (love the bio-snap shot as a little personal history always adds life to the message).

      I look forward to your next update and your final product which I expect in the end will be a very successful work of art.

      Lewis N Nelson
      Oakland, California

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  • Pledge $5 or more

    15 backers

    My humble thanks, and the happy knowledge you’ve just helped out a really nice guy. Plus, your name will be in the printed book in the acknowledgments.

  • Pledge $25 or more

    113 backers

    A free copy of my graphic novel, signed. Plus, your name will be in the printed book in the acknowledgments.

  • Pledge $50 or more

    18 backers

    Two free copies of the book, signed, and your name will be in the printed book in the " Special acknowledgments" because you were an amazing human being to help me get this thing printed.

  • Pledge $100 or more

    16 backers

    All the Two free copies of the book, signed, and your name will be in the printed book in the "Special acknowledgments" section. PLUS: An ultra-cool limited edition T-Shirt of Eric Dolphy designed and illustrated by moi.

  • Pledge $200 or more

    4 backers

    All of the above, plus a signed snappy little sketch of Eric Dolphy (approximately 4X6), and a signed copy of the Jazz Appreciation Month painting that I created for the Smithsonian. PLUS, A cool postcard (5' X 7') with a boss drawing of Eric Dolphy signed by me. Suitable as an ultra-funky bookmark or mail it to friends and let 'em know what it's like in Coolsvile.

  • Pledge $500 or more

    1 backer

    All of the above, plus an original FRAMED WATERCOLOR PAINTING of Eric Dolphy. The painting will be approximately 11x17 inches.

  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer

    You will get an "Extra Special Thanks" credit in the my graphic novel right under the main credits, two copies of the book And an original framed watercolor painting of ANY JAZZ MUSICIAN OF YOUR CHOOSING. The painting will be approximately 22x28 inches. You will get an "Extra Special Thanks" credit in the my graphic novel right under the main credits, two copies of the book And an original framed watercolor painting of ANY JAZZ MUSICIAN OF YOUR CHOOSING. The painting will be approximately 22x28 inches.