Arthur Rankin with my pal Dennis Bleck

ARTHUR RANKIN, JR. and my pal DENNIS BLECK

"Starving Artists" video on YOU TUBE

This is an old picture of THE ARTISTS (STARVING ARTISTS) in front of George Mitchell's ARTIST SNACK SHOP. The shot is from a video shot by Dennis Bleck and edited by Joe Rabig and was a few blocks North of my school COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (600 S. Michigan Avenue). Ironically, I talked to the owners of the restaurant yesterday with my work and they are still open but "times are tougher now," says Irene. "Business is good when they have events at the Auditorium theatre" (Which is where I had my graduation ceremony). I remember walking to school when ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY was turned into a hotel, there were vintage cars on Michigan avenue and Sean Connery, Robert DiNero and Kevin Costner were shooting a scene for THE UNTOUCHABLES in the lobby of ROOSEVELT.

ART CLASS

I found this clipping today and boy does it bring back some good memories. Shortly after I received my degree in the arts in Illustration from COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, I began teaching Art at ST. RENE SCHOOL and ST. BRUNO SCHOOL. I taught Kindergarten through Eigth grade for several years and it was very rewarding. I have great admiration for teachers...it took alot out of me. This clipping was about an art contest that I actually was able to get some of the students work published in a NOW COMIC BOOK. My pal Patrick Owsley worked for NOW COMICS at the time and I had a meeting with the publisher. I understand that Principal Val Bellucci, seen in the picture with me, has since passed away. He was very kind in bringing me into the school and treated me well. One of my friends, Dennis Bleck, actually shot a documentary about me teaching at the schools. Dennis attended COLUMBIA COLLEGE as well and used the documentary for his final project.