Invoice Creevy.

Born 24 Might 1942, William (“Invoice”) Charles Creevy Jr, PSA-Grasp Pastelist, Corridor of Fame Honoree, left this actuality on Monday, 7 December 2020 from problems as a result of COVID-19. I used to be deeply saddened to listen to the information, each due to his passing and notably as a result of it was associated to this pandemic scourge that has consumed our being this 12 months. Invoice is the primary particular person I do know personally who has died from this virus.

I can’t imagine I’ll not have an artistically enlightening dialog with this man, one punctuated by Invoice’s dry humour all specified by his scrumptious Louisiana drawl. Which makes me much more grateful that I made three brief interview movies with him whereas we visited on the Worldwide Affiliation of Pastel Societies (IAPS). I’ve embedded them beneath to your listening pleasure.

Invoice and I at all times deliberate on him being a visitor on HowToPastel. He mentioned he wouldn’t write a weblog however he’d reply questions. Time glided by.

And now it’s too late….

So that is my tribute to Invoice Creevy – my reminiscences and a set of his artwork that I like – to face instead of his personal visitor submit.

I first met Invoice on the 2003 IAPS Conference in Albuquerque. The introduction was made by my good friend Stephanie Birdsall and after the Conference, the three of us plus Frank Frederico went out to work en plein air. You may think about who magical this was for me, to spend time with two of my pastel heroes and my good friend Stef.

I took this picture of Invoice and Stef whereas on web site. Later, Invoice emailed me and included a photograph he’d captured of me as I labored. (Fortunately I printed the e-mail as I now don’t have the unique.)

I met Invoice in 2003 however I knew of him earlier than that.

I encountered his e-book on pastels and bought it in 1999. This was after I’d been working in delicate pastels for a couple of years. His e-book, The Pastel E book, opened up a world of risk. Not solely did it reveal a plethora of mark-making functions, it additionally confirmed the best way to embody numerous different media with pastels. I instantly went out and purchased a tube of Wingel (an alkyd gel)!

So, with that e-book, I turned a HUGE Invoice Creevy fan! In 2001, I attended my first IAPS Conference (in Santa Fe). I didn’t know a soul however had the most effective time ever. Together with attending workshops and lectures, I spent hours wandering by the galleries of Canyon Street (heaven!!).

After which, in a single gallery, as I used to be getting ready to remark within the visitor e-book, I noticed a reputation above mine. It was Invoice’s. However slightly than write his title and data within the e-book, he’d simply taped his enterprise card to the web page. I used to be shocked! Then, with solely a second’s hesitation, I whipped the cardboard from the visitor e-book and slipped into my pocket. (Unhealthy lady, I do know!) After I obtained house after the Conference, I wrote Invoice a be aware of appreciation. Years later, after I informed him the story of how I’d obtained his handle, he was delighted and between laughs mentioned that, clearly, the cardboard had been meant for me!

And I nonetheless have that card.

Since that first 2003 assembly, Invoice and I’ve linked at each IAPS Conference (I solely missed one). In between, we stored in contact by e-mail and cellphone (generally with lengthy rambling artwork conversations!), albeit sometimes.

It’s my remorse that over the past couple of years, that reference to him slipped. Invoice didn’t make it to the 2019 Conference. So the final time I noticed him was in 2017.

I wrote in regards to the pastel above in my October 2017 round-up. Click on right here to learn what I needed to say about Invoice’s piece!

And now take pleasure in these three video interviews with helpful Invoice ideas!!

Via his e-book and his artwork, Invoice taught me to be fearless with art-making. He taught me that the factor to do is to experiment, to attempt, and simply see what occurs! It was all in regards to the course of and discovery slightly than merely the end result. His philosophy taught me that an important factor is to play and to not get caught up in a method. And likewise, to not get trapped by behavior. It’s simple to try this, to get caught up in a standard manner of working, a course of that’s comfy. And I feel I’m at present in that place. Certain, I push the sides a bit every now and then, however actually, I have to once more transfer into being fearless, unafraid of diving into swimming pools unknown. So Invoice, 2021 will probably be a 12 months devoted to enjoying and exploring and experimenting.

You made me giggle, you made me suppose. You had been considered one of a sort. I certain am going to overlook you Invoice.

You probably have any tales about Invoice Creevy, I invite you to depart them within the feedback. That manner, we are able to create an ongoing repository in regards to the ways in which artist Invoice Creevy affected and influenced so many people.

You probably have a bit of his artwork to go together with the story, please e-mail it to me and I’ll embody it within the weblog.

PAINT LOTS. BE UNAFRAID!!

Till subsequent time,

~ Gail

PS. You may learn Invoice Creevy’s obituary by clicking right here.