BRUCE BICKFORD, MASTER ANIMATOR

Bruce Bickford works with the visionary madness of a desert mystic, and gazing into his work is like encountering the Aleph in Borges' story, a spot in which one can see everything in the universe from every angle simultaneously, without distortion, overlapping or confusion. Worlds collide, vistas spring to life, hamburgers morph into faces, battlefields explode into flowers. It's absolutely stunning. Working mostly in clay animation, Bickford is probably best known for his work with Frank Zappa, with whom he collaborated from 1974 to 1980. Zappa added music to Bickford's clay animations in Baby Snakes, Dub Room Special, and The Amazing Mr. Bickford.

And he is amazing. When Bruce brings his latest jaw-dropping artwork to our weekly gatherings of The Friends of the Nib, he blows the minds of even the most jaded artists. In this photo, taken at our recent live art jam at the Seattle Art Museum, Bruce Bickford (left) is pictured with fellow artists "Calamity" Jon Morris (in the fez) and Jim Woodring. The evening was a huge success and we hope the Seattle Art Museum invites us back soon. We all had a great time.

A trailer from "Monster Road," an award-winning documentary about Bruce and his work, directed by Brett Ingram in 2004. Rent it or buy it! Currently Bruce is working on a variety of epic tales and mutations that are touched by magic. Be sure to check out Bruce Bickfords 's official website here.

Currently, The Friends of the Nib are busy working on a couple upcoming shows, including our annual Halloween art party, details coming soon. (Shown above is the poster I did for last year's show--click to enlarge). We meet regularly and informally at our "clubhouse," the Cafe Racer, a bar with personality and a particular eclat. Drop by any Wednesday night and bring a sketchbook and your best game. We'd love to meet you.

LA SEMAINE de la BANDE DESSINEE

Don't miss the culminating event of a weeklong celebration of Franco-Belgian graphic novels and comics, La Semaine de la Bande Dessinée, Sunday, at 4pm, at the Henry Art Gallery.

Parisian graphic novelist Pierre-François Beauchard (professionally known as David B.), the co-founder of the artist-run publishing group L’Association, and author of the brilliant graphic novel "Epileptic," will be joined by cartoonists Peter Bagge and Jim Woodring in a discussion of comics and graphic novels. Expect these artists to discuss their work and how they employ image, space, and text to create narratives, capture visions, and change our views of the world.

The conversation will be moderated by Kim Thompson, the co-owner of Fantagraphics Books and English translator of "Epileptic." After the event, works by the artists will be available for purchase and signing.

Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, Sunday August 17th, at 4PM
FREE to Henry members or with museum admission
Tickets available at the Henry Admission Desk beginning August 10; seating is limited.

BILL FRISELL

I saw an amazing show last night: guitar wizard Bill Frisell, playing with violinist Eyvind Kang and drummer Rudy Royston. Frisell masterfully led the trio through an incredible range of music, touching upon folk, jazz, country, avant garde, classical, soul, surf, bluegrass, blues, and some unnamed music from an undiscovered planet accessible only to Frisell. The trio turned on a dime from be-bop and experimental composition to Americana such as "Shenandoah," all expertly played, switching gears effortlessly. One highlight among many was a heartbreaking version of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" that turned into Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" and had the house cheering.


It's easy to see why Bill Frisell was named Best Guitarist for the fourth year in a row (and seventh in 10 years) in the latest Downbeat Critics Poll, and a three time Downbeat Readers Poll winner for Best Guitarist. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, filmmakers and legendary musicians, a list that includes filmmaker Gus Van Sant, cartoonists Gary Larsen and Jim Woodring, and musicians ranging from Brian Eno to Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello to Norah Jones.

Bill Frisell has a brand new record out called "History, Mystery," a two disc record, one of which was composed for a multimedia collaboration - Mysterio Sympatico - with artist Jim Woodring, whose work has graced Frisell's albums. Also includes compositions by Thelonius Monk, Lee Konitz, and Sam Cooke, including the aforementioned "A Change is Gonna Come."

Do yourself a favor. Listen to Bill Frisell.

WORDS & PICTURES

Jim Woodring at the KBOO studio

When we were in Portland last month for a Friends of the Nib art show at Floating World, artist Jim Woodring and I were interviewed by radio station KBOO. SW Conser and Bill Dodge have a regular show about comics and art called "Words and Pictures." Anyway, our interview airs Tuesday, March 11th at 9:30.

LISTEN to the interview here it on the home page, http://www.kboo.fm/node/6276











Bob Rini, a face for radio

Check out more of Jim Woodring's visionary artwork here. To see more of my artwork, look here. For more archives from the "Words and Pictures" radio show, click here.

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

This Saturday night, from 6 to 9, at the Fantagraphics Bookstore, there will be a comics featuring Friends of the Nib -- with Special Guest Kim Deitch. It should be a lot of fun -- come and bring some paper and a pen and jam with us! See you there! 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way) in Georgetown. 206.658.0110