Two Shows, Two Days, Two States.....Part 1

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned to Doc. in a PM that I was planning on attending a panel jam and charity auction that benifited a Children's Hospital and wondered if he was interested in any artwork. I knew he collected artwork from HAMB folks and I kinda had an idea on who was going to be at the panel jam, HAMB-wise and others. He was all over it and a plan was formed. I sent him some preview spy photos of some artwork that I already knew was in process or already completed for the event. Doc told me what he liked and a couple things I should try for. The rest was up to me.

Friday nite after work I flew into Milwaukee for their World Of Wheels event which was highlighted by the panel jam and auction for the children’s hospital charity. Checked in to a hotel and set out looking for a quick bite to eat. Low and behold, just down the street from the hotel was a fimilar site. I’d never been, only seen photos and was totally bummed when we pulled into the parking lot and it was closed. Oh well, went down the street, ate and called it a nite.


Next morning headed to the fairgrounds where the event was held. Lucky me, a p*** was waiting for my arrival. Found the panel jam area right away. WOW, was the first thought. I couldn’t believe how much square footage was dedicated to this portion of the show. They had it set up with a nice stage area, large display areas of finished panels, and areas where artists were still working. I received the royal treatment and was shown around and introduced to many of the artists. I learned these artists are the cream of the crop in their field and after looking at all the panel I strongly agreed.

A listing of the majority of the artist that were there participating


Some on display




I tried bidding on the boogie board on the left but it went high but BobK was able to win the panel on the right.








“Pair of Deuces” was done by Tom Kelly of Chicago. I tried to get it for Doc and OldBobSign wanted it for himself as well. Neither got it. Went very high which is a good thing cuz it was for the children. Seemed everything with '32's on it went high.


This sign kit was made almost 30 years ago by the gentleman in the photo, Ken Millar. What a sweetie!........and character! Old BobSign purchased it way back then and had it tucked away for something special. A year ago he started asking stripers to work their magic on it and it’s chalk full of the Legends work. Doc had seen photos of it and showed an interest in obtaining it. Unfortunantly WillieG wanted it as well and took high bid of $800.00


Some last minutes lines by artist that Larry didn’t catch up with during the year.
Brett Mason, wonderful fellow


Me and HAMBer Brett88


David Hightower

 

The events honoree, who was receiving a Lifetime Acheivement Award on Saturday nite, was Alton Gillespie (on the left, Larry, OldBobSign on the right). Alton was a character and I was drawn to him straight away.


Two panels by Alton. The details were outstanding.


This panel I wanted it really, really bad for Doc. Opening bid was $1000. and it sold for $1,500.00. I really wanted to obtain a panel from the honoree for Doc but I guess everyone else did as well. I thrilled for the charity that panels went high.


One of the highlights for me, one of many I should add, was meeting and chatting with Darrell Mayabb. He showed me some of his artwork and explained the stories behind them. What an AWESOME treat! When he found out I would be traveling thru ColoRODo in August he gave me his number and told me to feel free to stop by.


Darrell, Larry and Tom


About this time Tom Kelly arrived with a piece that lots of us were waiting to see in person. I had sent photos to Doc and he showed an interest in obtaining this piece as well. Bummer it was another piece that WillieG wanted. Him and I went at it back and forth but I had to back down at $1,000.00. It went for $1,100.00. Doc and I vowed that next year....well lets just say Willie won't walk with everything that Doc has his eye on.


Top of the grill shell


Top of the headlight






At noon we had a little HAMB Meet and Greet. OldBobSign made these stickers as a little momento to give to HAMB folks. Got to meet FuzzFace and his lovely wife for the first time. Glad you guys stopped to say "hi", it was nice meeting you both. I was bummed we forgot to take a photo.


At one point OldBobSign was striping when this young boy walked up and stood there watching him and really was really showing an interest. Larry chatted with him while continueing to stripe then put the brush in the kids hand. Man, that all it took. That kid took to striping like there was no tomorrow. He listen to Larrys intructions then did some awesomes lines. Larry then set him up, showed him where the paint was and made a space for him.


About six hours latter the kid came and found Larry to show him all his practice work. If you asked Larry he'd probley tell you this one was of his highlights of the day. I'm sure the kid will remember this day forever.


The first item I bid on for Doc was this car which so reminded me of the ones that Gene does. I know Doc really likes 3D artwork and cherishes the cars Gene has made for him so I thought I'd add this one to his collection of hand made model cars even though it's alittle cartoonish. It was the ONLY one at the auction and I thought it would go higher then I got it for. The artist is "Dean $ Dayo" from Mid-Wis it said.



At this point I took alittle “break” from the art and turned my attention to the cars. They had a very nice display of ‘32’s.

Ray Dray’s, one of the organizers of the charity auction



WillieG’s (as in Davidson)

 

A large selection of pedal cars


Back at the auction area…….this was done on canvas and brought the Children’s hospital a large chuck of change.


Also went large




One of my favorite pieces and it just so happened (I later found out) was done by Brian Papas (Papa’s Studio) who’s a HAMBer. I bid on it for Doc, AND WON!


Some of the artist at work


Jack "The Italian" Giacchino


Also a HAMBer, Jeff Williams who I ariginally met at the PileUp this year. It was nice seeing him again and catching up.

 

Bob Behounek working on “The Chair”. I pulled this chair out of my ba*****t and recovered it so I could donate it for the auction. I thought it would be a good piece to have alot of different artists work on it. Larry picked up some House of Kolor black pearl and painted the chair. Him and PeterPan of Chicago laid some lines on it last week to get the ball rolling, then he took it to Milwaukee where lots of other artists did the same. Looked totally awesome and I wanted Doc to have it and guess what…..I won the auction for Doc on this chair! I'm going to do one just like it for Detroit and ask those artist to do the same.






Brian Papas working on the chair


OldBobSign


Always a large crowd around watching the chair get striped.


Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson, one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet


Vince Balsteri was the auctioneers "helper". Did a great job making sure everyone had a good view of the artwork. He was the 2nd years Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This is the 5th year for this award.






Hamber, CarArtNick was in attendance. Great seeing ya again Nick. Good luck with your art show.


Kacy, PinUp on the HAMB, doing an awesome panel. At this point I thought to myself, I want to get that for Doc…….and I did!

 

A very cool trash can that Bob Laravee Sr won for a whopping $2,000.00


Me and Bob



I was madly bidding on this PeterPan panel for Doc but didn’t win. I loved it though



I did win this one for Doc from an artist named Rattlesnake.


I got this Tramp piece for myself for my new Tiki Lounge


One of the auctioneers took a liking to me and publicly during the auction asked me to go to dinner. I think he thought I had deep pockets…..at dinner I set him straight that I was bidding for someone else and filled him in on the details. I agreed to go to dinner if I could bring my bodyguards.




After dinner we checked out a few more cars




These are some of the Cheaters cars but I’m not sure who’s is who’s










and the Cheaters latest


I remember seeing this car at the HCPU and feel in love with it there. Looked even better without all the dust and dirt on it.

 

Once back at the panel jam area I caught Alton putting some more touches on this panel that I really wanted to bid on for Doc but it wasn’t finished on Saturday so I’m ***uming it was going to be auctioned on Sunday.


I got a lesson in gold leafing and Larry decided my tongue needed alittle “brightening up”


Ran into BobK, the skull, and his lovely wife Maggie. I’m holding a panel Bob won. Nice seeing you two again Bob. Looking forward to the Detroit Autorama.


Also ran into an old boyfriend from over 5 years ago. He was quite surprised to see me there.


One of the Harley designers, Paul Martin, striped my Harley purse for me.
Paul hard at work on a panel


He then came up with the idea to have WillieG sign it. Even though Willie beat me outta a couple of things I wanted to pick up for Doc, he was a really nice man and thanked us for being there and supporting the charity.


The last auction for Saturday was at 7pm and was also when they presented Alton with his award.

Lots of folks said lots of nice things about Alton. Tears were shed. Alton is a very humble man and you could tell he was very respected in his field by his peers.




I won a piece by this guy Web


It was nice seeing Wingnuts again and meeting his girlfriend.


The Brian Papas panel I won for Doc. I wish you guys could see this piece in person. This picture doesn’t do it justice


Me and Joel, PeterPan of Chicago. It was wonderful to see you again bud. Looking forward to hanging out at Autorama with you.


About 9:30 said my goodbyes, so-longs, nice to meet ya's, copped a few last minute hugs, made plans with a few to hook up in Detroit, and headed out the door with the wrapped goodies knowing I had a full day ahead of me at the Grand Rapids Autorama the next day.

Drove to my Aunt and Uncles place in Kzoo and crashed for the nite. Got up and went to a little family resturant for breakie then I headed for Grand Rapids. Part two of the rest of the weekend coming after work tonight. Includes coverage of not only the Grand Rapids Autorama but their panel jam and charity auction, the traditional cars that were there including Dave Shuten's bubble top which debuted there AND my stop at the Ionia Hot Rod Shop for a final lookover of their roadster thats heading to the GNRS this week. Stay tuned.

 

9999999999

 

your life is good babe!!!!!!you should work for r&c doin coverage!!!great shots as always denise!!!!!

 

Thanks for the great pics!You are very popular!Any more pics of the pedal cars??

 

Great Pics Darlin, sure looked like a good time, hell of a lot of talent there, man I wish I could have made it....

 

I'm sorry I don't but since I know there is some interest in pedel cars I will step up the coverage on them for the Detroit Autorama in March.

 

They have used my photos and write-ups in the past and they know how to get ahold of me if they are interested in any event coverage that I post on the HAMB.

 

All weekend long I kept thinking to myself, you of all my pals, should have been there with me. You would have been walking around stary-eyed just like me, moreso I'm sure. The quality of the panels was like nothing I had ever seen and to have the artist there to meet and chat with was just the icing on the cake. EVERYONE of them was accessable and at***udes must have been checked at the door cuz they were certainly missing.

I plan on attending next year. Throw it on your calendar NOW and make plans.

 

You Are KOOL!!!! finally!! Ive been twitching waiting to see some pics from that show...Detroits gonna be fun! thanks for posting all those pics...

 

Wow, sure looks like a great time. When Denise told me about the show, she voluntered to be my "personal shopper" and pic me up some swag for the HAMB room. I sent her some playing money and left it in her hands. She's got great taste so I knew that I could not go wrong. She did a great job and I thank her for all of her efforts. Next time I'll send a bigger bankroll, I had no idea what some of these pieces would go for. I sure would have liked to have been there to give ol' Willie G a run for his money. Thanks again "D" for all you do for us HAMBers.

Doc.

 

Denise, "Wow" - that's all I can say. Your photos and write up are top notch. Thanks for keeping us less fortunate HAMBers in the loop. The panel jam looked absolutely fantastic. Sure wished I could have been there. But, seeing as I wasn't thank God you were.

John, aka "oldandkrusty"

 

Thanks Denise for being so thoughtful and bringing all your wonderful experiences to light on this little box I look at called a computer.

Your past coverages and do***entation thereof along with the people involved is what attracted me to this site.

If you ever need a sponsor for batteries just let me know. I am sure you go through them taking all those great shots..........

 

Yeah I really did want to go after talking to Larry about how cool a show it was going to be. I'm just slammed at work right now and have not been doing much of anything else. Next year for sure, but at least I still have Detroit

 

Nice Denise, thanks for the pics!

 

What a fantastic job, Denise! It was great seeing you again and getting to hang with you for the day. Your outstanding coverage will surely promote the success of next year's event. Thanks so much for taking the time.

 

Great job covering that event. Makes me wish the wife and I would've went. As far as bidding against Willie G., those are some pretty deep pockets to go up against.Hope they raised a bunch of money for the cause!

 

Are You Shore That It Wasn,t A Hit Of 60,s Acid In That Gold Leaf.....looks Like A Great Time, Your A Lucky Person

 

Thanks Denise. Very cool pics as always. This post makes me want to start collecting panel work. Thats good for the artists, not so good for me!!

 

Great Pics, I was told by Ray Dray that there were over 60 artists. I agree the pannels were top notch. I have been to other auctions of this type and I think nothing compares to the quality. I believe they raised over $42,000 for childrens hospital.

later on
Chris

 

wow great pics makes me wish i would of gone i saw several of the panels in person and top notch work is an under statement(well execpt for my panel ) all the rest were just stunning

 

I was looking for a panel from you to purchase knowign that you had been to the panel workshop for the event in Dec. They must have either auctioned it off on Friday or were saving it for Sunday.

You certainly need to be there in person next year.

 

Thanks for the update, that is a remarkable achievement.

 

There's always next year!

 

Awesome coverage Denise. On behalf of all the wannabe stripers like me, I really appreciate you taking the time to take all the photos and write-up the descriptions. Very cool, thanks.

 

Terrific coverage, Denise, thanx for caring and sharing.

You make the world a better place...