Old Speckled Hen: Cheers!

[Renee Price]

Hi Marvin!

I stumbled across this campaign last week--fantastic! I'm thrilled that not only is your work featured, but you're featured as well. The hand-held speech balloons add a quirky touch and are just too cute! Would you post your paintings here? I would love to see them!

take care,

Renee

[Alexandra Tyng]

Marvin, I'm not a big drinker either but now I'm curious to try Old Speckled Hen. It looks like you are having a lot of fun doing those paintings. Now I want to try illustration, too. . . Hmm, the power of suggestion!

[SB Wang]

Marvin:
You know that one of the earliest cartoons is "the Yellow Kid", ...cartoon is one of the original art of America. Chinese artists followed well. I drew some for newspapers.One of my cartoons caused a sensation in the campus of Beijing University. Students were wild to find a opening to view my satire, that was risky, I could be jailed had I done this a decade ago.

This site is fancyful and they picked an ace.

Years ago, I received a bottle of wine from "Choice USA Co.", Gastonia, NC, maker of "Sundrop", for the official portrait of the C.E.O. I painted. So, let's us raise glass and "cheerio"!

[Marvin Mattelson]

Hi Renee. Unfortunately the deadlines have been very tight and I'm literally running out the door with brush in hand chasing down the courier as he takes the painting to his truck. The agency is supposed to send me proofs and digital files one of these days. I'll post as soon as I get them.

Alex, it's a very tasty beer but be aware, the alcohol content is above average, so watch your step. You may need to arrange for a designated painter to work on your canvas the following day.

Thanks SB, here's to you too!

[Linda Brandon]

Wow, Marvin, I love it! This is terrific exposure. I am so happy for you!

Though... if you are writing love notes to old speckled hens... I guess this makes you a fowl old rooster.... ?
(Sorry, that was pretty bad, I'll try to come up with something better.)

Seriously, I think the way they have chosen to put you in your studio with your work behind you is wonderful. I love the word balloons.

(Say, is that drugstore in Port Washington? I think I recognize it.)

[Patricia Joyce]

I love it! What a fun campaign and it is virtually unheard of for a manufacturer to spotlight the artist like this. Such a great opportunity for you.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Linda, the only thing fowl was your pun. You should be tarred and feathered. You are correct the drugstore was indeed in Port, as was my "local". I guess Great Neck was just too upscale.

The two days of shooting was a real hoot. I got the full star treatment. "Great shot! You look fabulous!" Brilliant!" The people from the agency were great and I loved meeting the art director, since all our previous contact was over the telly (see I'm getting the hang of British twang!) However, I did a lot of sitting around and waiting for them to set things up and now can really appreciate how boring it could be on the other side of the lens. All and all, it was fun.

Patty, we'll see how it all turns out. I have my doubts whether blokes surfing the web in search of beer are my target audience. But then again, no such thing as bad publicity. And I'll have another interesting story for the grandkids (when and if my sons comply!) Time will tell.