Kathy is in Pasadena babysitting our grandson and I am scrambling to finish our big art issue. Going to be a barn burner. Got some great imagery, like this cool shot of the legendary Joe Grandee (The Cover King: he has done 24 True West covers, and counting):
Joe Grande black powder shooting on his Circle JG Ranch in Colorado back in the day.
I've been interviewing the Master painter almost every day, over the phone, for the past week. Great guy, full of wonderful stories and cool painting techniques. I've actually learned a few things just by osmosis. Ha.
Went home for lunch and whipped out a little study of John Jackson Cozad geting cold-cocked by Alfred Pearson in front of the Bee Hive General Store on October 14, 1882.
Daily Whipout, "Cozad Gunfight Study"
Came back to work and received a better photo from the expert on the gunfight, Jan Patterson at the Cozad museum, which alters how I will illustrate the building. There were also several more eye-witnesses to the deadly affray and I'll include them in the final as well.
So, how did I discover this little gem called Cozad? Short answer: road trip.
"We're all the descendants of travelers."
—William Least Heat-Moon, on why the road book is an American phenom
