Billy, Bud, Dolly and Mark

These are collaged pictures of my brother. Jim Frederick helped the family by creating these with some decoupage and prints of my brothers photos. My brother had been working with my Dad on taking all the family photos and making them digital. It was a huge project but one that was so enjoyable to look back at the memories.

The road trip with Bud & Chester continued. Bud fell in love with Dolly! as we left Kentucky and entered Tennessee. Chester was all cracked up over it! (See Jim's Blog) - then we stopped in Graceland and Bud found memories of my Texas home!

The Bud settled in as I rested from the long drive. He partied on the mantle with my Art Knome.

Well back to getting into a routine, trying to get organized and get back on track.

Thanks for everyones thoughts, notes, cards, emails, and hugs.

Jewel Quest

Sorry no blog today - playing Jewel Quest -
Thanks MaFred!
http://www.jewelquest.com/

Back in Dallas

Well I am back in Dallas - back to the 100 degrees + weather. The road trip was bittersweet with the untimely death of my brother Mark. Thank you to everyone who sent emails, cards, text messages, phone calls. One person whom deserves so much is my friend, Jim, who shared the experience with me, supported my family and me during this very difficult time. I love you, and I thank you. Now I must get back to business at hand, it is difficult, because I keep thinking of my brother. I know that he would tell me to do my best, so that is what I will do - I start work again tomorrow, I came home to some of the electrical equipment fried (Good thing I turned off all the computers), lots of mail and email to get through, and upcoming commitments regarding art shows and events to take care of. Already miss Mom & Dad, wish I could be there for them to help with the rest of the things that remain to be done at home. I am exhausted after two days of driving - very much enjoy to drive (much to Jim's dismay) --- I have pictures to blog.... it will take me some time so please check back and also check Jim's blog .

Love you all -
Billy

The Falls

More photos and Bud & Chester adventures tomorrow.

Digital Frontier

The artshow at Partners in Art Gallery in North Tonawanda was a great success, sold artwork, and great reunions with old friends.

Here are some of the pictures of the pieces in the show. The main piece of the show called "Abstract Niagara" was sold, as well as a few other pieces, and the show continues on through next Friday 8/11. The reception and open house were great. Check it out ! you still have time.

Enough Said

Jim woke us up at 5 am ...

Making Art From Tragedy

Bud & Chester joined Billy & Jim to visit Billy's Best Friend, Michael. Michael was in a tragic accident. On Sunday evening after a phone call with me, he decided to go out for a bike ride. During the ride he was hit by a car that came through a stop sign, and then drove away. He flew over the handbars and through the air and hit is shoulder and face. And NO he was not wearing a helmut. It could have been so much worst but he is bruised and has a broken clavicle.

After Bud & Chester gave some of their elfin magic love to Michael, they were offended that he was on the phone with work. So they headed for the door.




But once they got there, they looked up and wondered how can we open the door? So they came back and sat down and visited some more. They sneaked out when Billy & Jim finally left.

I created this piece of art which we named " Head over Handlebars" using pictures of the bruises, scabs, and injuries that Michael suffered from his bike hit and run. You never know how an artist can be inspired!

Check Jim's Blog for more adventures as well as check back here for more pictures of the show and more...

Chester, Bud and Art

After a great night of sleeping in and then knowing we were not jumping in the car to drive 8 hours. We headed for breakfast at Boulevard Restaurant for breakfast. Bud & Chester were big hits and check out Jim's blog for more pictures on that.

Then we headed to The Partners In Art Gallery to bring the work for the show. Bud & Chester loved meeting Joan & Glenna - all are excited about tomorrow's reception.
Outside of the gallery we ran into Roberta, an artist who is teaching at The Partners in Art studio. She invited us into her class to say hello and tell everyone about the show.
After leaving there we got gas ($3.09 a gl) and headed to Michael's home.

Saw this poster "The Jack Man" and thought of our friend, Jack, who had just called to say hi and see how things were going.

Bud is here in front of some art that I created last year when I was home.

The adventures continue at Michael's ....

Getting to Getzville

After passing through Pennsylvania and into New York and arriving at 122 Lyrae. Here is Bud at the home of the Millers.

Bud & Chester (Jim too!) were treated to the Buffalo's Best - Bocci Pizza (Best Pizza Anywhere!)and Chicken Wings (not as good as Duffs, but Jim needed to have a comparison).

Bud wanted to go for a ride in Mark's new PathFinder! No Chester, he is not posing to be a hood ornament.


The Boys hopped in the car with Mark, Mom, Jim and Billy and off to Andersons Ice Cream!


They has Chocolate Vanilla Twist custard and lemon ice, they were a big hit meeting many of the people from Western NY and invited them to the big Art Show!

Now they hang the show and have more fun looking at the sites.

More pictures on Chester's & Jim's Blog

Thinking of Virgil

We stopped for lunch in Geneva on the Lake, OH - and the boys stopped at Eddies for their famous fries and footlongs.

After the boys got done eating at the counter they joined us inside as we waited for our food.


They we took a nice drive along Lake Erie in Ohio, we stopped at Point Park in the city of Ashtarnia and watched the Bridge go up (we crossed over it later). Chester was off somewhere it said it was forbidden.
Bud was thinking of his friend Virgil and at times he wished that Chester had not left him behind.

More adventures to come...

Bud's Blogging Tech Support

Last Night, Bud helped me with Blogging Tech Support as I struggled until 2 am to download the photos onto my blog.

Meanwhile Chester thought he was so "COOL" hanging out in the frig.
Chester finally atoned, while Jim was trying to figure out what room he was in (long story). So he read the good book (I am sure that Karen will enjoy that).


Bud took the first shift in driving, he did have a little trouble seeing over the dashboard.
The Bud was hiding at the bushes at the reststop somewhere in Ohio.

More fun adventures follow .... and are on Jim's Blog

Bud & Chester Continue Cross Country

Bud & Chester had so much fun Tuesday afternoon. They left Helen's to go visit to the St Louis Arch (see Jim's Blog) After which we entered Illinois, we stopped by the Welcome Center -- I think Chester scared the attendant as she refused Jim in allowing her picture to be taken with these cute guys.

Then we got hungry for lunch and we stopped at McDonald's in Vandalia, IL - Bud asked Megan for a picture and she agreed, then we went to the next window where Chester again scared the girl (Lisa) handing us the food and she refused to have her pciture taken. This is why Jim will not talk about what happened.


Then we heading east towards Indiana and at some point we crossed the time zone -- in one second and in one hour we went about one inch (thanks Seth the Einstein of Massachusetts for that!)

Then we entered Indiana - stopped at the welcome center, stopped at the Candle Shop (but it was closed at 7pm) - finally made it to the Hotel (see the Mother Daughter Check in Clerks on Jim's Blog) then we blogged and bedded down for the night.

Today was a great day for phone calls from the past. I talked with my high school Art teacher, Lorrie Maurino, who mentioned that Wendy Domster will also be in town, and then later a call from Debbie Petrious (Heintz) from Hgh School. So many great things..... check back for Wednesday's Adventures with Bud & Chester (and Jim!)....

Billy, Jim, Bud & Chester

The trip continued into the night, after a visit to Steak & Shake, after saying hello to many of our friends - Hi Karen (every church we pass), Hi Burt (every chinese restaurant we pass), Hi Armando (every Cracker Barrel we pass), Hi Cliff (every Adult Bookstore we pass - he makes you think about sex!, funny Karen's churchs always near a Hi Cliff), Hi Jack, Steve, Ann, Laura, Warren, Chris, David (every bar we pass), and Hi PH (every beauty shop we pass), Hi Pat (every donut shop we pass).

Entering Washington, MO - home of the Fredericks - creation of the largest painting by Jim Frederick. This is a picture of the bridge of the Missouri River - it winds and twists and is much nicer view during the fall, even at night (or so I am told over and over).
Waking up the next day to the wonderful smell of homemade biscuits, having one of Jim's favorites - Biscuits & Gravy. We left after a great game of Pictionary with Leezard (Jim's Niece) - after leaving Jim's parents home - we realized that we had stowaways. Well I told Bud & Chester they had to go home, I even dropped them off at the Golden Travel Agency, but alas they were closed, and we did not want to back track so we took them with us. You can read more about Bud & Chester from Jim and Chester's point of view in their blog (www.jimfrederickstudios.com/blog) and read Bud & mine's point of view here.
Bud & Chester found a comfortable chair as we visited the Howell's Home in O'Fallon, MO - we heard about Amanda's Biker Tiger Show and Scott's Sleeping, and I tried to keep Helen from telling Jim my secrets.

We left Helen's and traveled to the Arch - (see Jim's blog for pics)... to be continued

Billy & Jim's Excellent Adventure

We left on Monday at 11am after dropping off my art for the "Cool" show happening at Hibernia Dental Arts Gallery in Dallas in August. August 11th is the show and unfortunately Jim & I will miss it because we will be in Buffalo. But Happy Birthday to Mike who is celebrating his birthday at the show.

After a while we reached the Texas-Oklahoma border and took our first of many pictures together. This is actually two photos blended into one. We wanted to take it with the large cardboard indian in the lobby, but decided against it.

After reaching Pryor, OK --- many signs stood out to me, screaming for photo ops. Mr B's Famous Drive In, and Goldies Patio Grill welcoming me !
Jim, was a little jealous that they did not have a message for him.
We stopped for gas and trinkets at Big Cabin, OK...we looked for bud vases, and almost traded for a dreamcatcher, but decided on PowerBall Tickets instead.

Shortly after that we landed in Missouri!