I am so happy to announce the release of the Moon Songs book! It is now available for pre-order and we will have physical copies for sale at Haskins House during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24th!

Here is a little preview of the project, a link to pre-order, and some details about what a Moon Song is!

Moon Songs is a collection of music and artwork created through an exchange between an illustrator and songwriter. In this collaboration Charlie Haskins showed Josiah Whitley a painting and Josiah composed a song in response to the image. Likewise, Josiah played Charlie song and he created an image in response to the music. The feel of Moon Songs ranges from whimsical narratives to bluesy ballads that explore a connection between folk music and folklore. Subject matters include the loneliness of The Man In The Moon, the story of an “uncatchable fish” and a haunting personified account of a hanging tree.

The stylized portraits and imagery used in the album’s artwork incorporate techniques found in caricature, outsider art and illustration while the music cites folk, singer songwriter, country and blues influences. In this partnership the creators intend their audience to interact with their work through a book which contains the artwork, lyrics, and a CD insert which contains the songs so the audience can simultaneously take in the art and music.

Moon Song – Book & CD

40 page book and CD (with hand drawn label.)

$20.00

We did a lot of shows and made a lot of art in October, but November has its own surprises in store!

Last month we painted Frankenstein at the Markay Theatre, painted a mural on 2nd St in Portsmouth, and setup at the Irvington Indiana Halloween Festival! This month we are releasing our Portsmouth calendar and a new book I made with musician Josiah Whitley called Moon Songs!

We are proud to announce that starting Aug 14th we will be cohosting Paint Night at Port City once a month!

You can sign up for our next step by step art lesson Here

There has been a lot going on at Haskins House.

We had the pleasure of teaching a painting class at Port City Pub. We painted Nessy!

We conducted a workshop for the area schools and made Van Gogh puppets out of cardboard.

We held a paint class at the Happy Pot where we painted Alexandria Point.

We set up at Indianan Comic Con and met Reptar!

And we are happy to announce we will be setting up at this year’s Nelsonville Music Fest as well as the Mothman Festival!

As if you couldn’t tell, we had a great time visiting Chillicothe’s Pump House Gallery!

I was invited to speak with Chillicothe’s Art League and got to demo, display, and explain some of the stories behind my pictures–like this painting called Between Dog and Wolf. It’s about growing up and being in a transition from childhood to adulthood, and how my newborn son won’t let me sleep at night!

If you missed this event and would like to catch the next art exhibit, check out our schedule on the Events tab. Our next art class will be on Feb. 27th at The Happy Pot in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Almost 15 years after my high school graduation, I was fortunate enough to meet up with my high school art teacher, Mr. Painter. (Yes, that is his real name!) I’ve know Mr. Painter since about the 4th grade, and his teaching and attitude about art continue to have an influence on my work, but until this last get together I had no idea how true this was.

Before the reception of the new Contrasts exhibit at the Greer Museum, we got together to catch up and see what the other had been working on. Painter told me he had brought several new artworks to share. Some were acrylic paintings, some pictures were made out of wax, and he even brought a collage of a rooster that he had just finished. Much to my surprise, his rooster almost mirrored a piece I had in the gallery called “Cock-a-Doodle Don’t”

I think we were both kind of shocked by the resemblance when we placed our two rooster pictures side by side. 

After we left the gallery, I got the chance to see Painter’s studio and work space. True to form he taught me about new art materials to try out and needless to say, I left with an education! 

The new exhibit, Contrasts, is up at the Greer Museum! It features artwork by myself and fellow artist, Fatima Taylor.

Here is the Q&A we did on Facebook Live.

The show is up until January 31st.

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Thank you all and thank you 2017 for the opportunity to be a working artist! While this isn’t everything I’ve worked on this year, it’s pretty close.
This year I’ve had the opportunity to create over 100 pieces and have received support from so many of you that it overwhelms me.

2017 has brought so many surprises like:

Participating in a group show at the Southern Ohio Museum.

Receiving an Outstanding Artist award from Portsmouth Area Arts Council.

Holding my first pop-up art show in Columbus, Ohio.

Exhibiting at the Outsider Art Fair in Michigan.

Self-publishing a book.

Having my artwork printed by a “real” publisher – Out of Step Books.

Illustrating my first book for a client.

Having a solo show and lecture at Ohio University.

Joining the board of Governors at the Portsmouth Little Theatre.

Co-hosting a successful series of Street Art Saturday concerts with – Main Street Portsmouth.

Being commissioned to create a mural for the Boyd County Library.

Working hands on with one of my favorite artists, Wayne White – set designer for Pee Wee’s Play House.

Learning some special effects makeup with R.J. Hardy from Syfy’s Face/Off.

Collaborating with the Happy Pot to produce several Wine & Canvas nights.

Making a 2nd TV appearance on Positively Portsmouth.

Along with celebrating a 2nd wedding anniversary and my son’s 1st birthday

2017 has also brought me the chance to be a dad for the second time!

Reflecting on this past year I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of so many wonderful events and I am very grateful to have the support of my family, friends, and community.

Thank you 2017.

Keep the sun in your belly!