Fishing for Fellow Fundraising Artists at Jawsfest

Only four years out of my entire life has been spent living not near the ocean, and I was too young to remember them. I’m lucky that the serenity of the sea is only a short drive away. But I also grew up watching Jaws, so loving the Atlantic doesn’t mean I want to swim in it. I prefer to stroll along the edge and daydream about the cool creatures living below the deep blue waters.

It’s been a long time since I drew my last mermaid, who I envisioned just before she tossed a lost beach ball back to a little boy on the shore. Since hearing that we’d be vending at Jawsfest: Beebe’s Gonna Need A Bigger Boat, I have been contemplating creating a mermaid with a shark fin to bring to our booth. I wasn’t sure if I was going to drown trying to get it done in time – but now I have to try, as my Ogre has officially challenged me!

During a recent tattoo session with Fred Giovannitti of Ink & Energy Tattooing, Ogre was telling him about Revival House’s fundraiser. Fred had the idea to host an art challenge to raise money for the people who have been putting themselves on the line during the pandemic. While supplies last, Fred is providing one 11″x17″ comic book art board to each artist who wants to flex their skills for a good cause. Blue Line Art’s boards have preprinted comic book borders with non-photo blue ink for use with pencils, inks with brush, watercolors, washes and markers.

To join The Blue Line challenge, the board must be picked up at Ogre’s Grove, 129 Union St. in Milton, from noon to 5pm, Friday, Aug. 7 or Saturday, Aug. 8. That gives everyone at least 10 days to draw their comic art and return it to the Ogre before Wednesday, Aug. 19. However, if we have boards left and someone wants to join later who thinks they can get it done by then, call Ogre to set up another time to pick one up.

The donated works will be displayed in a silent auction at the Ogre’s Grove booth during Jawsfest. The fun starts at 6pm, Thursday, Aug. 20, at Hudson Fields in Milton. The event is free, but donations are suggested to benefit the heroes fighting COVID-19 at Beebe Healthcare. Our friends from Brimming Horn Meadery (in case you missed that Instagram post) will also be there, as will Revelation Brewing, various food trucks, live music, local vendors and, of course, a Jaws screening at dusk. Are you hooked yet? If not, let’s see if Rob and Ogre’s video can convince you to join The Blue Line Challenge.