April 21st, 2005 I decided to start a feature I entitled The Artisan Series. The idea was that “there are some creators that I feel are a cut above the rest. Not because of their global popularity or name recognition but because their craft has stirred something in me. Reading their books or viewing their art has made a deep emotional connection with me and inspires me to cast off fear and dive into the creative pool. I don’t know that I can adequately describe why their work makes a connection with me but it has.”

Lisa Snellings-Clark was the inaugural artist featured in The Artisan Series and until now she has held the lone spot in that category. One reason for the chasm of time between that first post and this one is that I wanted Lisa Snellings-Clark to hold that spot alone for awhile. Her work and her process made such an impression on me (and still does) that I wanted to honor that by not rushing out and adding names to the Artisan list.

Another reason is that quite frankly writing a post like that takes alot of time and emotional investment. The creators that I have in mind for this list need to be differentiated from those I feature in posts like the Friday Favorites simply because their work goes to the core of my being and doesn’t let go and I believe that if I am to post about them I should really take the time to do an outstanding job. And finally I realize that I am doing these posts primarily for myself, which is perfectly fine. I have proven recently with my Robert E. Howard posts that I am willing to stifle blog conversation with posts about things that I may be in the minority about…I just make some effort to stretch these out and I love the fact that all of you come back and feel free to comment or not comment about whatever the days topic is, bless you!

I say all this today as a precursor to the second ever Artisan Series post coming tomorrow featuring the work of an artist that I have mentioned several times over the past blogging year, Frank Frazetta. Frazetta has been at the top of my list for The Artisan Series treatment since the inception of the idea and tomorrow is an appropriate time to post about Frazetta as it will be his 78th birthday.

At the very least by including this re-introduction to The Artisan Series today it will be less for you to have to read tomorrow! 🙂 I appreciate you all and whether or not you enjoy his work I look forward to sharing my thoughts on Frank Frazetta with you tomorrow.