Designer, Painter, Calligrapher | Jim Bray

Kansas City weekend. 5/16/09

jimbray — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:01:29 +0000

Met with retired, Hallmark-designer-friends, Jim Crosby, also retired pres., Sandy Inc., and Harv Garriety, retired Hallmark designer, photographer, creative director, you name it. Talked about Hallmark, K.C. Royals, architecture, music and new painter’s in town. (Along w/Don Vernon, these guys rate ”high-up” on everyone’s ”art director’s all-star-team.” )

Speaking of new KC Artists: All of us, including Tom Watkins, retired Joplin banker, visited Jon Fowler’s new studio, suite 533, in the old Livestock Bank building next to the “Golden Ox.” In addition to Jon’s paintings, which are superb, Jon’s studio also features works by family members, Jon and Judy Fowler, (dad & mom). Jon Fowler Sr., outstanding sculptor, and old friend, taught at Missouri Southern University, and Judy, wife, mother,artist, teacher, does everything well, especially big, beautiful figures in charcoal, teaches at Missouri State.

Lunch at Grinder’s, another KC highlight, to be described later…hopefully, w/pics, included Crosby, Garriety, Bray and Watkins. Banker Watkins, also Joplin art collector, told stories about 70’s, banking trips to KC, Stockyard Bank.

Royal (George Brett) Suite, 5/15/09

jimbray — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:00:49 +0000

Jim Crosby, ret., KC designer, artist, and entrepenuer…and dedicated Royals fan, viewed the Baltimore/KC game on Friday night at Kaufman Stadium in the George Brett Suite. How he found those reservations, nobody knows, and Jim’s explanation is, at best, “sketchy.” Jim Bray, Crosby’s guest, was “dazzeled” by the stadium renovations and the accomadations in the Brett suite. “Words can’t describe this place,” quoted Bray, not yet realizing he had forgotten his camera.

Two possible records were set that night. One, for the longest weather delay–game started at around 9:30, p.m., and, second, hot dog consumption. Crosby ate 4 hotdogs in 7 innings and took 4 more home to have later. KC won.

June 5th Travel Plan

jimbray — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:13:35 +0000

Arrive 4:30, p.m., Landvetter Airport, Gothenberg, Sweden, Friday, June 5, 2009. After customs and money exchange, meet Folkhogskola representative at customs exit, proceed by auto to Mullsjo, Sweden. Approximate travel time one and a half hours. First stop, purchase food at local store for weekend. Food service at Folkhogskola not available on weekends. Rest-up, prepare for painting class on Monday.

Spiva show 2010

jimbray — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:36:05 +0000

Spiva Gallery, Joplin, Missouri, recently informed me that I have been selected to show in the visitors gallery in 2010. No details at this time.

Return to Sweden

jimbray — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:14:51 +0000

June 4, 2009, I return to the Mullsjo Folkhogskola in Sweden to teach two sections of watercolor painting and “kroki,” the Swedish word for life drawing. This year will be my 32nd trip to Mullsjo. In addition to teaching at the Folkhogskola I will travel to Jonkoping, Sweden to teach a three-day workshop in collage at the Folk University.

In November of 2008 I had a one-man show in Jonkoping, Sweden at Galleri 701.