It's Time Book Tour with Jeremy Hawkins

 Better late than never. I asked Jeremy Hawkins, otherwise known as Being Retro, how his art got started because that's what his books are about. Up until now it's been a celebrity whirlwind of interesting (famous & infamous) people he's had the pleasure of meeting. I wanted to know the beginning and he was gracious enough to oblige. So without further ado heres Jeremy taking over the Murphey Saga.

So taking a break from all the celebrity encounters I want to reflect on art some of you write, paint, sculptures and like myself design. Now these I have listed are only the threshold of the talent you posses, it was meant to give your talent to us. I have always asked myself where was your starting point, when do you know that is what you wanted to do. Turning it over to you and then I will share a little story about my “moment” and then I would like for you to think about the same.

I remember dabbling in drawing not really being all that good at, but I found myself sketching and making silly characters that would end up looking like a peacock. It wasn’t until high school while sitting in my English class where I found my “moment” and taking notice that I was going to be doing this for a long time. I had decided to use my desk as my mural with pencil in hand I started to draw, draw eagles in the trees. What started as a cartoon turned shape into what I thought was a more than I could have imagined. Now the problem is its English and I now caught the eye of the teacher Mrs. Brandt as she makes her way back to me. Not saying a word throughout the second half of the class to me, not angry nor upset.

Class is a bell away from getting out; I hear my name to stay after... you know I know this means some trouble. I hear the bell, I feel this it, busted. I walk up to her desk, she quickly moves us back to mine… still no words. I hear a few grunts to the tapping on the center of my masterpiece. A question “is this all your work to show for the class”; she smiles and shares the something I didn’t know. Before that another question “do you do this all the time” I responded no not usually on a desktop, I just was inspired.

I was really unaware that my English teacher was head of the art department and she found my work inspiring for what it was. I never have had anyone really ever tell me that they enjoyed my art, I was a closet artist I guess. We found ourselves smiling over this desk turned art mural; sadly it didn’t last as she points out a bottle cleaner and a cloth. Getting a Mr. Hawkins and the need to clean the surface came her life lesson from her and her experience. Never draw something beautiful you might want to keep and share someday with someone. As I begin to turn art into a mess to a clean surface, she explains that she could help bring the art of out the person. Also sharing that for the art it was a delight of expression and for the English I was to have a detention for a week.

As for the great news she made me serve it out in the art room showing me the vast joys that this room has to offer. I remember that being the day my “moment” hit bringing back to the start… the reason I am who I am. I am less of an artist more of a designer due to the love and introduction of the computers. So here is your part share your passion, please let me and us know how you got there, it doesn’t have to be long like mine. I am really more interested in thinking about your “moment”.

It's a four book series 40 pages each and it is the art/design from things I had designed over the years. It's a mish-mash of things that I had seen in my head... and some are future designs that will become shirts. Places I wanted to go artistically as you travel from where I was to where I am now. Is it great journey!  Titles came from the idea of time "12:34, 35, 36 and 37” seems that is when my best ideas came to me... day or night. It's funny I never considered myself a "writer" just a man who likes to paint a canvas if it be words or my art/design.

Giveaways: Some great prizes being given away please stop over at my main page “BEING RETRO” and look just below the header for the “It’s Time” Tour Giveaway link and enter today. **Actually, it's just above.**

Grab his books at:
Amazon

Thank You, Jo for letting me play host and to all who took the “time” to read this… you are all the best.

Jeremy Hawkins
Being Retro
beingretro.com

To Stalk Him:
Website/Blog
Howling Wolf Records
Horror Blogger Alliance
Facebook
Twitter

***In addition to his books and art work, he has an online t-shirt company called Neato Shop that has some REALLY awesome t-shirts! He's a sci-fi and horror buff like me so is any wonder we connected? So stop on by his sites, buy his books, or just pop in and say "Hi, Jo sent me."

Have a great week all!