Cathie Bleck

Shepard Fairey at Jonathan Levine Gallery: Scope

2008-12-12T16:53:31+00:00

Art Basel inspirations

2008-12-12T08:16:36+00:00

Just back from Miami and enjoying the memories in the grey skies of Cleveland. Brian Stauffer offered up an amazing dinner our first night with his bright and beautiful wife who made an amazing Peruvian dinner ( a highlight for sure of the trip) for Anita, Dick, myself, George, Ann Field, and Jeff Jackson. They were so generous, bright and gracious and the kids were a testament to all the happiness in that home. Brian-keep us up to date with your amazing enamel works!

I am going to post some images that really caught my eye at Art Basel and other fairs: Scope, Aqua and the Know show/Gen Art Vanguard and the good works of our own Marc Burkhardt. I did not unfortunately jot down any of the artists works, though some will be familiar, so shout it out as I hesitate to post not knowing their names...but the works pulled me in and too much work going on to do some research, please forgive me.

For those of you who have not been before, it is difficult to describe it but there is a casual feeling overall. A very fancy county fair (think of the art as the animals) with no smells (not even the smell of big money) but just as interesting and varied. The gallery owners for the big Art Basel main affair spend 30K for their booth spaces and not uncommon to run into Snoop Dog in the corridors. There was so much, so much art. I kind of paced myself and selected only a few of the fairs: Art Basel for half a day at the main convention and Aqua hotel in S. Beach and then on the other side of the bridge in the Wynwood district (warehouses) Scope and Art Asia, Aqua Wynwood, and the fair I had some works at GenArt Vanguard: Know show.

Okay...to the art! I will post the Shepard Fairry (all his works sold out at Jonathan Levine's) and others in another section.

My 2 pieces for the Know Show at Art Basel Miami

2008-11-22T23:45:43+00:00

Here are my two pieces for the upcoming show that a few Drawgers are participating in with Mark Murphy at the Gen Art Vanguard show : part of the Know Show. Five exhibitors are invited to share a space for the Gen Art show, so it is pretty exciting that Mark will be showing the works in this venue this year. The show is fairly intimidating, with a lot of great pieces submitted so far. You can find the art for the show in the blog section of www.murphydesign.com. I am planning to go to Miami this year, my first time Dec 3-7th in case anyone wants to hook up down there-email me.

The Moon Shines Down, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Linda Bleck

2008-11-21T03:10:22+00:00

I am so excited for my very talented youngest sister, Linda Bleck who just illustrated this never released story by Margaret Wise Brown, the infamous writer of "Good Night Moon" and "The Runaway Bunny". It was just released on November 4th by Thomas Nelson Publishing Company. It is a story about a little kolala bear who travels around the world,as the moon shines down and blesses him and those he meets in his travels. It is a 42 page full color book. She has made a transition to working full time as a childrens book illustrator for over the past five years. I have a lot of respect for anyone that does kids books. It is a real labor of love!! This is a perfect book for 2-5 year olds and if you are into "blessing people" , then you will love the message:) The book is available on Amazon and if you want to see all the latest releases log onto:
http://lindableck.blogspot.com

Thomas Woodruffs show at PPOW

2008-10-30T02:05:06+00:00

Thomas Woodruff is exhibiting at P.P.O.W. gallery for the next 5 weeks, so hope some of you can check it out. The paintings on black velvet rotate ever so often. I would be happy just having them be still, but the efforts are not unwarrented. It does bring on a very circus orientation as they move. There was so much detail, that is what I got into with the pieces as I photographed. Most of these are probably 36x36 or slightly larger.

A visit with Chris Buzelli and Soo Jin

2008-10-30T01:41:21+00:00

I spent a few days in NY city this week. I was staying near Chris Buzelli and Soo Jin so walked on over to hang out with them on Sunday. I think they have the sunniest apt. in Manhatten-great place and I found out he is super in more than one way. Well here are a few pics of their sweet dog-child who is in love with Chris and the charming and talented SooJin, who just joined ICON's board for next conference (good for you!) I also got to visit my son James for his 20th birthday right during his midterms. I took him to see Lion King on Bway...his first time experiencing a Bway play. His teacher was conducting and another was on the congas...great teachers from Cuba and Jamaica. I will post some more photos from other great visits to Thomas Woodruffs show, Michelle Hinebrook's studio etc.

Thanks Chris and Soo Jin! It is amazing to see where it all transpires!

some details

2008-09-19T02:23:24+00:00

The tender tear falls to earth. Absorbed into the humus she resists pointless decay, taking a noble form. In her resolve, hope is reborn and held patiently, awaiting the next chance to fly free.

Take note of the people in the bottom of the tear and bird on the headdress as many of these details change in the second version

Beauty has been reborn and is now being released as peace from the masked noble tear of the warrior into the darkness of what is not known but can only be seen through the eyes of what has been learned through past mistakes.

Note the mask she wears as if she has fought a war, the bird has flown and perched on a sword and the people are reaching out for nourishment while the weeds have overgrown below.

I used the form of the hare as a template for the tree in the final painting. The result is such that the tree seems to breath the life of this symbolic animal. There are many layers of clay on top of her penetrating stare, yet hauntingly I feel as if the stare cannot not be masked by those many layers. Historically, the hare has been a symbol for longevity, a sign of good luck. It also meant “vigilance”: the animal is said to sleep with its eyes open, and medieval physicians believed that eating its meat led to insomnia. (In classical anitiquity, on the other hand, eating such a meal was believed to make a person beautiful for nine days.)

The tree represents ancestral wisdom, standing vigilant like a lighthouse above the rocks, warning one to step away. Vanity, preoccupation with ones physical self, sits on the left. Self-absorption, preoccupation with ones own ideas and dreams, sits on the right. In the foreground, two frogs escape, leading one back into a world filled with the beauty of others.

I probably spent the most time on this piece, struggling along for a year with it. As you can see there is a lot of underpainting and I remember sanding a lot of clay off of this piece.

Out of the primitive root of our being have evolved two alterative worlds of human existence. In the lower left of the painting we see a tear has formed. The aggregate sorrow of the innumerable droplets of hope all around us that have failed to cling to the flower: the vision of the world as it might be. Yet, in sorrow lives the mother of life and future hope. She searches for where the new born and re born may belong and flourish. Never baron, she returns to the eternal river, the endless wellspring of survival (the old species: coelacanth fish) where fragile hope is nurtured and reborn to reach again with joy in order to touch beauty, represented by the flower. Undistracted by the flower, the sloth is at peace - content with the bounty that is within easy reach, and confident of his just and privileged position. Whatever falls into his lap is his destiny. To the far right an apple falls from the tree, breaking tradition and entering a new path to follow.

Catalog for the Butler exhibition

2008-09-18T23:50:28+00:00

Detail from "Beauty traps" on cover and "Renaissance" on back

This 32 page exhibition catalog was designed by Mark Murphy and features the writing talents of Lou Zona, Butler Institute of American Art Director, and Marianne Berardi, PH.D. is a historian of Dutch and American Art, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Here is an excerpt from Marianne’s essay : “She discovered it nearly 30 years ago, and since then has relished the way she can scrape sharp tools against the ink washes she applies to its surface, exposing the bright white kaolin clay beneath. Drawing against this whitest and most durable of all the earth’s clays—the same remarkable material from which fine Sèvres, Meissen and Chinese porcelain is made—is like sculpting a relief or making an engraving.”

The Butler Museum show

2008-09-18T04:08:20+00:00

Butler Institute of American Art Opening last Sunday : lecture in front of "A Choice"

The leopard represents power : poised over beauty he/she is trying to decide, shall I devour or admire her?

My parents came in for the show from Chicago and we ventured out to the museum tonight to take it in without the crowd. Having them here for this was a moment in my life I will never forget.

Alaska's Road to No Where

2008-09-08T21:25:07+00:00

I thought given Nancy's great highlight of women's political work and Zimm's analysis and the timely discussion of Alaska's road to no where that I would post my op ed piece from 2005 on the subject. I remember being really astounded that the government would waste this kind of money. Had I known that some of that money was taken away from strengthening the levy pre Katrina in New Orleans (correct me if I am wrong as someone just told me this today)...I would have attempted something a bit more strong. I am curious about Zimm's observations having been told at times by art directors that my work looks like a mans (years ago I was told when living in Dallas). I do think that my work has become more empathetic the older I get, though many times I am hired because of the feminine quality of the work. So now I wonder, was my work closer to masculine in my younger years and why has it evolved in this way...hmmmm. Got me thinking.

Meta Gallery, Toronto Opening tonight

2008-09-05T17:20:34+00:00

I am in a group show called "Mapmakers" that opens tonight Sept 5th and here is the piece that is in the show. If you are up in Toronto, I hope you can stop by and check out this great new gallery in the Distillery area. Some great artist's are in the show: Mars -1, Ben Tour, Alex Grey, Raul Casillas, Dean Chamberlain and more. Also, there was a catalog produced for the exhibition. 20"x36" I wish I could be there but my show at The Butler museum opens next weekend and there is still so much to prepare. Thanks for the support and if you go, please share your impressions.
http://www.metagallery.com

Heinrich Zille

2008-03-29T14:59:43+00:00

Interesting review of this great illustrator/artist from Berlin in the NY Times today as Berliners celebrate Zille's 150th birthday. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/03/26/arts/20080327_ZILLE_SLIDESHOW_index.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Here is the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/arts/design/27zille.html (sorry, I don't know how to create a link)

Notes from the Rabbit Hole in Ohio

2008-03-05T02:49:22+00:00

Don't expect any fast returns on election reports from here. It is no surprise that it shows our precincts are still open counting votes given the dramatic shifts of how Ohio runs its elections. The last election was conducted with brand new digital booths. This time it is the opposite, almost comic...the physical ballot was 8"x14", type size was about 20 point lettering and the circles about 1/2 ovals. We used ballpoint pens to darken the circles and had to slip the
GIANT ballot into a box secretly into 10inch slot with a giant hard cardboard cover. Did anyone else have this experience? No one will know until morning what the outcome is so sleep well.

Dante's Divine Comedy Finished jacket

2008-03-03T06:42:51+00:00

When I was in NY last week I stopped by to see Jo Oberowski over at Barnes and Noble who art directed the Dante book. Here are some pics of the finish. I also got the chance to check out Marcs beautiful Grimms fairytale book, but unfortunately the pictures were out of focus...I must have been mesmerized by the beauty.

The reception celebration at NBMAA

2008-02-28T04:39:01+00:00

This Sunday, 3-5 pm New Britain Museum of American Art

2008-02-22T13:43:18+00:00

I am looking forward to meeting up with some of you (really appreciate the support!) this Sunday, February 24th from 3-5, where my show opens at the New Britain Museum of American Art. I am giving a short talk at 3:30. The show contains more than 30 paintings and also includes prints, drawings, sketchbooks, artist's tools and letters. I am flying to New York City today, if my flight ever takes off with the snow storm there, so maybe I will be able to celebrate with you all (and toast all the rest who are there in spirit) tonight at the Society opening. Safe travels everyone! Information: http://www.nbmaa.org

Robert Hardgrave's work

2008-01-24T20:51:42+00:00

Here is a great little film interview on artist Robert Hardgrave

Scroll down to Article 7.

http://www.seattlechannel.org/Verve/I

I found his personal story really inspiring as well as how freely he works with brush to canvas. There is something so beautiful in the fluidity and repetition of shapes. Maybe someone can guide me how to do a direct link...sorry for being so cumbersome. One of his influences in Sam Weber, who is truly an amazing artist/illustrator. Can't we get him in this room?

his website:
http://farmerbobsfarm.com/

Some paintings from the New Britain Museum of American Art

2008-01-24T03:13:17+00:00

Leo, the works ranged in date from 1978 to 2007, and included 10 artists works which explored the themes and techniques of traditional Chinese art and how they have been retained and transformed in the 20th-21st century. The only artist that I noted was Liu Hungs work, so I guess I can't answer your question. The show as currated by Tita Hyland, who teaches history of Art at Trinity College in Hartford. Here is a link to a podcast of Liu Hung talking from her studio from the San Jose Museum site: http://www.sjmusart.org/podcast/

I thought I would post a few photos that I took over the summer when visiting this museum. I was thinking about all of the Drawgers that would enjoy these, so hope it perks up your winter day. I apologize for not knowing all of the names of the artists, but I am sure you all can all help me out. I love the haystack detail from one of the Hudson collections.

Here is the museum's web site and info on my show is under Coming Up section.
http://www.nbmaa.org

A small Jackson Pollack, who was Thomas Hart Benton's most famous student. He did this painting for Thomas Hart Benton's small son, T.P. Benton on Martha's Vineyard when he was babysitting him. I can only imagine Jackson Pollack as a babysitter...

New Britain Museum exhibition

2008-01-23T05:41:41+00:00

I'm gearing up for my upcoming exhibition at The New Britain Museum of American Art which opens Feb 8th. The opening reception is Feb 24th, Sunday 3-5, the day after the Society opening. The show runs until April 27th and I know that Wendell Minor has a few pieces in the museum collection as well as several other contemporary illustrators.
It is about a 2 hour drive or train from NY and it would be amazing if any of you ventured up to celebrate with me. This show is really special in so many ways. My husbands grandmother Cari Jackson is 99 years old and she took painting lessons for 20 years with Sandy Low, the man who built this collection. Grandma Cari is an amazing force in my life-an incredible woman. I approached them with a proposal for this show over the summer when I was traveling out east and the timing was right as they were planning a wood engraving exhibition of Wanda Gag and Claire Leightons works. Go figure, I am a girl and work in a wood engravers style. This museum is a gem and one of only two exclusively American collections of Art. Correct me if I am wrong but the only other I know of is The Butler in Youngstown, OH. The amazing thing about these museums is that they have bought and supported American illustrators works for a long, long time. It is not uncommon to see a scupture by Paul Manship next to a Landacre piece. This museum is known for their Thomas Hart Bentons murals as well as pieces from just about every famous American artist. If you have not ventured to this museum, it is a real gem on the east coast.
Here are the pieces I am planning to show in the cases.

Here are some more working studies for the cases from the Mother Nature's Son series and the sketches from Dante's Divine Comedy

A detail from one of the recent paintings, "Flower of the Root"

I know this looks way too clean, but here are some of the works in the show and a few unfinished pieces in sketch and roughed out form for the next show at The Butler. I promise to show some really messy pictures in the future, which is the reality.

Here is a photo of where the exhibition will take place.

Letters and book covers

Dante's Divine Comedy

2008-01-12T04:21:18+00:00

I am out of the fire and back into Drawger after finishing this massive book for Barnes and Noble in December and a 25th anniversary trip with my husband to Egypt (will post more on that later) and then the holidays. I did the double page spread on the plane and in hotel rooms pretty much the whole time I was in Egypt. The stewardesses offered me drinks and ink and I cleaned up all of my dust as best as I could. Jo Oberowski was the art director and fantastic to work with. She had seen my book at a NY Book Fair that Murphy Design attended. It seems that jobs come from so many avenues these days. The book is a library edition, gold leaf embossment on the rays on a dark red leather and tip on color piece gets glued on the cover. It should be out later in the spring. Displayed here is a sketch and the various parts of the book. I only wish I could have done all of the interior drawings, which they scanned from Dore.

Live at the "Green" exhibition

2007-11-19T07:12:56+00:00

I did something very impulsively...well, not as impulsive at Edel, hence why I am not in any of his photos from the Drawger party...I hopped on a plane with 25K miles and headed for LA on Sat morning to attend the opening "Green" at Robert Berman Gallery, curated by Mark Murphy. So I boarded a plane at 7am...stopped in MInn. with enough time to get my boots shined with 10 min to spare and headed for "dust-ville" Orange County, where my sister Marilynn lives (the air was pitiful-made Cleveland seem like the beach). Since I was taking care of my other sister Susie all week I was way behind on my work, so I scratched away on the plane on my current job, "Dante's Divine Comedy". I would be curious if any other illustrators have worked on the plane...always gets a rise out of the stewardess. In any case, the weather was worth it all together as Cleveland has been pitiful already and it is only November. Onto the important stuff, the show: I entered to a huge crowd at 7:30pm, greeted by the famous work of our own Marc Burkhardt-be-au-ti-ful. Had a warm and wonderful conversation with Brandon Boyd from Incubus. He is so sincere and a great soul. Onto the rest of the wonderful evening of witnessing great works by Joel Nakamura, Jody Hewgill, Bob Dob, Joe Fiedler and a host of others talents. Here are a few pics from the event. Phew, thankfully I was out of town Edel.

With Ann Field, illustrator and chair of Art Centers illustration dept. and her husband Clive Piercy, formerly of PHD, and recently opened a new design studio called "air-conditioned".

Wish I had gotten a pic of the whole wall with the piece, sorry Joe...loved your piece!

Nathan Ota has a slew of shows coming up in the next year.

More Green As Winter Draws Near

2007-11-13T03:21:03+00:00

I'm sorry for not posting much these days. I got a bit overwhelmed with caring for my sister from Kuwait who came here to the Cleveland Clinic for surgery for breast cancer. So keep the good thought coming her way.

I made a bold move into color with the clay pigments on this piece called "Salvaging The Root". You can't see much detail here but the piece attempts to approach being at the center of life and finding renewal that inspires discovery as a result of the rough root of experience. The bird draws nourishment hovering just above the future and for one moment, harmony. On the left is the past, caverns that hold personal solitude, while entangling with personal history. On the right hangs the enduring leaf of individual spirit, defining moments that require imagination, reverence and beauty.

By the way, Marc your piece is amazing!

NYC Closing Reception Sept. 20, 6-8, 4 Times Square : Conde Nast

2007-09-17T20:10:45+00:00

If you are in NYC this Thursday I would love to meet up with you at my closing which is at 4 Times Square : Conde Nast building (near 42nd and 6th). It is from 6-8 and there should be a lot of art directors coming, at least they said they were coming. My son James will be there along with a lot of his music pals. AIGA is having a big gala affair the night before, so a lot of designers are in for that. They put on a nice spread of food and wine at the last one, so expecting the same. Kind thanks for your support!

Hot Flashes

2007-09-16T03:15:34+00:00

Here is a new piece I just finished for Health and Wellness magazine how to keep hot flashes at bay...something to think about on these nice crisp fall days.

Catskills bats

2007-09-11T01:12:17+00:00

I got a lot of inspiration from the meditative mountains in the Catskills, even if it was only for 2 nights this summer. It reminded me a bit of Ohio in some respects with the cool evenings, mist and lots of bats. Yet the mountains take on the feeling of a giant body resting as the sun sets. Since I came home I have been sketching into the evening, by torches lit outside. I can't really see what I am drawing half of the time but the sillouetted shapes come to life at that hour.

Here is the reference for the dancing bat. I have been looking at a lot of scientific engravings where the animals are very curious. I was thinking that this is how a bat would dance if it could.

Here is my new out door night studio. My husband pretty much works round the clock so I decided to build a patio this summer so he might at least get some night fresh air. I think he is on the verge of a big idea in this photo.

Here is a portrait I did of Ana when we were in the "Batskills", thankyou Laura. We had just been watching all of these old movies like "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn and Belalogosi's "Scared to Dead" so I was imagining Ana as a Hollywood scarlet with Batskill flowers in her hair (it is next to Woodstock). Ana is a fantastic artist and I will post her portrait of me too, but I need to ask her first.
Also, here is a little film still from "Scared to Death" where the box arrives with a plastic head in it. Shoot, I should have waited until halloween to post all of this. But who knows, maybe someone here needs some reference for all of the halloween illustrations coming up soon.

A sad day when they leave for college

2007-09-10T18:46:45+00:00

My son James left last week to embark on an exciting opportunity and passage as he begins his to studies at the New School for jazz studies in NY. My posts are apt to get way to long and motherly in the near future so please forgive me. We are thrilled for him and he is so happy, motivated and working hard but it does not keep me from shedding tears. I did this sketch the day before he left. It is always a flurry when they pack up, (my second to leave) stuff everywhere and last minute bits of advice. I sure miss the music here.

Summer gypsy trip

2007-08-07T04:39:59+00:00

I have had the fortune of taking a nice lengthy trip out east starting in Maine on a Bleck family reunion from July 21 to July 28th and then spending the rest of the trip traveling around with my youngest daughter Ana. We decided to visit art museums and good friends along the way including fellow Drawger, Laura Levine. We had a blast shopping at her shop in the Catskills, "The Mystery Spot". From Bath, Maine we headed to Mass MOCA and caught an interesting show called "The Believers"-13 acres of art museum in North Adams, MA and worth the trip. Mass MOCA is housed in an old mill and the scale is enormous for the exhibitions. Next onto The Norman Rockwell Museum, Shakespere theatre in the Berkshires and onto Laura's neck of the woods the following day. Laura suggested a great place to stay at "Kate's Meadow" owned and decorated by Kate Piersons from the B-52's and lots of stuff from Laura's "The Mystery Shop". Thanks Laura for showing me a good time, fantastic breakfeast at ??? (help me out) and the experience of your shop. Here are a few pics from the trip so far.

I have to say one could spend an entire day digging there and she gave us a great discount...perhaps it was a Drawger discount day. Ana was in resale heaven anyway.

I will add more on the trip soon which includes stops at Olana on the Hudson, a special 18th Century garden, the Florence Griswald museum, the New Britain museum, Yales Britain museum of art and more.

Heinrich Kley

2007-06-18T19:45:58+00:00

Here are some images from his book, which is available by Dover. The book I have was printed in Munich and probably one of the best book purchases that I have made for $20. about 25 years ago. Kley who lived during the late 1800's, has served as an influence to a good number of illustrators. His visual commentaries on the industrial revolution are brilliant. This piece influenced me on the recent NYT piece that I posted.

NYT OP ED

2007-06-17T01:21:21+00:00

Here is the final piece

This piece appeared today in the Times Op Ed section and was illustrating an article on how companies that create carbons are paying countries like Madagascar not to burn their rainforests, since they filter carbons out of the air. Here is the sketch and final. I re used 2 monkeys from previous work as I ran out of time. The job came to me on Friday evening and was due on Saturday by 6pm. These things are always an adreneline rush to do with sketches in by 11am and finish by 6pm. I had just gotten back from NY city for the day on Friday and had found out that my nephew who is one month old does not have leukemia which was suspected. I was kind of shaking the whole day doing the piece, but newspaper is forgiving. I worked with Sam Weber-check out his work-he is amazing: http://www.sampaints.com

NYC opening

2007-04-30T07:27:18+00:00

If you are in the NYC vicinity this Thursday, May 3rd (show walls are at 1133 Ave of Americas : reception is at 6-8), I hope that you will stop by for my first solo show in NYC. Here is peak at a detail from one of my large (30x60) pieces called, "The Rest". Everything about this piece refers to a midpoint in life. Halfway between, reflecting on a bountiful life and looking forward at "the rest" of life. The reception will be bountiful-lots of food and drink and expect a big crowd of art directors, gallery folks, artists, writers and scientists. cheers!

This piece was done primarily in liquid clays with pigment with a good deal of laying down pigments and scraping them away with razors.

This years Earth Day poster

2007-04-22T06:36:50+00:00

Here is the tiger up close. I was really inspired by Waldon Ford's exhibit at the Brooklyn museum a few months ago. It was amazing to see the work up close-so many subtleties in content as well as detail in the painting.

Here is this years Earth Day poster done for Diane Woolverton at the U.S. State Dept. A real dream job: great subject matter, lots of time, great gift for kids, okay money. She had been collecting my art from the Washington Post over the years so it pays off to do newspaper work for free advertising I guess. I won't be around here much for a few days as I am heading off to New York City to deliver my art for a May 3rd show. We will be hanging it on the 23rd and 24th if you are in the mid town area : 1133 Ave of Americas or stop by the opening on May 3rd, would love to see you! Cheers,Cathie

New postage stamp released

2007-04-20T08:37:18+00:00

This is my first postage stamp and thanks to Nancy Stahl I was informed that it was being released as I saw her announcement on her home page (thanks Nancy). I think it has been about 2 years since I worked on the stamp-so that gives you a bit of perspective on just how laborious and slow this kind of assignment is to surface.

scratching big

2006-10-17T03:18:07+00:00

If any of you saw the very long and repeated explanation of this...I am very sorry as I fumble through technology. So, I am working on some big scratchboards custom made by Ampersand. It all feels a bit ambitious and intimidating, but I love working with the liquid clay and pigments. I tend to move the big pieces around my house though in search of a space to work in and I think ultimately, the garage will do. Going from 8x11 to 30x60 is a huge jump of vantage point for me. Any advice is welcome in regards to working this size.

The turtle was not as lucky.

Black Beauty, our rabbit of 15 years, had glaucoma which gave him milky white eyes and also had tumors, which did not keep him from hopping-a real inspiration.