VISIT
TUESDAY. APRIL 18. 8:15 PM
ENVISIONING THE END
Bevil cover collectors and friends- Allow me to share with you my thoughts regarding the near-future plans of the Bevil first day cover line.
I have four issues here in Bevil Studio awaiting to be painted. These are the four remaining Civil War issues from the set of 10, the first 6 issues are in Bevil collections. Here's the first of the remaining 4, Mobile Bay. I'll be painting it in the upcoming weeks.
After inking over 800 issues, I still take great pleasure in picking up my trusted digital ink pen and begin building my rendering, one line and dot at a time.
Once these four Civil war issues are complete, being painted, certificates written and produced, and in the collections of Bevil subscribers,...
I have made the decision to bring the Bevil line of hand-painted covers to a close.
With the most amazing and loyal subscribers only cover painters could dream of, together we have had a wonderful time.
As it stands, I will paint the final 4 Civil War issues, then officially call it the end.
While this is briefly stated, we both know how big of a decision it is, for all the fair and good reasons we'll discuss at a later date.
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 16. 6:45 PM
A PAINTING WEEKEND!
This weekend and into next week I'll be painting Greetings From South Carolina. Though few of us are lovers of the hot pepper, I'm shining my GFA spotlight on Ed Currie, of South Carolina, who bred the hottest pepper back in 2017. Five years later, it is still recognized by Guinness World Records as the hottest pepper in existence. this is my first cover to paint, so you know I'll play around with a few more color studies before settling on the final version. This one's okay though. We'll see.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 13. 9 PM
GREETINGS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
NEWSLETTER BEING DESIGNED & WRITTEN
When producing the certificates for the GFA set, to the left represents my first step. After reviewing the topic, I settle on the "feel" I want, in this case, I'm hoping for a casual, bright, almost playful tone. There's no heart-warming, moving story behind this issue. It's about the creator of a world-famous hot pepper, Ed Currie, who resides in South Carolina. You'll come across
Carolina Reaper flavored snacks in the store, and this is the guy who brought it about. After researching the topic, I'll make room and opportunity for a few points of interest. On the reverse side, later you'll see reads of interest, such as the Scoville heat scale, and the heat levels of different peppers, of which most you'll recognize the names of. I'll pass this newsletter in this early stage to Janice, to which she'll fill in the open spaces with the article. She'll pass it back to me, allowing me to add some points and finalize the article. Look for a painted GF South Carolina to be posted soon.
SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 11. 8:30 PM
GREETINGS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
ON THE EASEL
Here's the final version of the majority of the GF Mississippi issue. With both Greetings from Connecticut and Mississippi complete, I'm now beginning to paint Greetings from South Carolina. I hope to have it complete by the end of the week, after which we will send out three GFA issues. This leaves four issues remaining in the GFA set.
These GFA issues can be greatly varied in the way I approach them and how the end product feels and reads. The Mississippi issue is a warm-hearted, historically accurate piece. The upcoming South Carolina issue, is bright, playful, mostly absent of heart-moving elements. Once the set is complete, maybe we can take a poll among Bevil collectors to recognize the GFA favorite issues. That would be interesting. I'll post the GF South Carolina issue once I paint a color study.
MONDAY. AUGUST 15. 8:45 PM
GREETINGS FROM MISSISSIPPI
ON THE EASEL
While I'm fairly pleased with this color study, I'll probably play around with the background colors as I go along. I can just tell that I'm not totally convinced this is my final version. Maybe. But I'm guessing there will be some color variations in this issue. These grave markers found at older cemeteries are referred to as "mourning angels". This specific one is actually located at Friendship Cemetery, in Mississippi. Tomorrow morning I'll rise early to paint some of these before I head into the office.
This is Greetings From America issue #45 of 50. After this issue is completed, we have five more to paint to complete the set.
TUESDAY. AUGUST 9. 9 PM.
GETTING HELP FROM THE SHADOWS
Before I begin painting, on my computer, overlaying my ink drawing, with the blue shade I am determining where my sun-cast shadows will land. In this rendering, I have the sun coming from the upper left. With the entire mourning angel made up of stone, without flesh tones, hair and clothing colors, etc., it will need some surface interest. The shadows will make it work. And what color of stone? White, gray, pink granite? We'll see.
TUESDAY. AUGUST 9. 7 AM
BACK FROM KENYA
I've returned from my Africa trip, building small huts for the children and families who live in the Gioto dump site, on the outskirts of Nakuru.
Of the mission trips I've taken in the past, this easily ranks as the most grueling in regards to physical work, and emotionally taxing, being among children and families living literally in a dump site.
Back in the States, with a busy, successful summer behind me, I'm once again setting my sights on the remaining GFA issues to be released, being-
Greetings From
North Dakota
Connecticut
Colorado
California
New York
South Carolina
and
Mississippi.
Of the seven issues, Connecticut is complete, and Mississippi, South Carolina, and North Dakota are inked, awaiting to be painted. the next group to be released will either be a group of 3, or a group of 4 issues. This group I'm presently working on will be released to collectors the latter part of September. The remaining 3 or 4 issues will be sent out in December. In front of me this morning is Greetings From Mississippi, which I'm painting this week. I'll post the painted cover once I settle on my color scheme. My daily painting sessions are from about 5:30 to 7:30 AM, then in my evening and weekends. Let's not forget, following each completed issue, Janice and I produce the newsletter/certificate.
So let's get going!
SUNDAY MORNING. JULY 24.
FLYING OUT!
I've been busy at my work, with summer activities, church camp for kids. VBS, which we call VBA, Vacation Bible Adventure.
Today I fly out to Africa, a 10-day excursion. I will be working at the Gioto dump site in Kenya. In the dump, about 1,000 children live, with no housing, food, parents, or any way to sustain themselves. They live off the discarded food and debri. The parents and officials drop them off there when they cannot care for them. We will be building small 10-by-10 foot sheds for them. We also connect people in America with the individual children to support them financially. It will be a hot, smelly, dirty adventure. Looking forward to it. I'll continue carving away at the GFA set on my return.
Returning August 3. So long for now.
THURSDAY. JUNE 23. 7:15 AM
STILL CONTEST TIME!
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 22. 7:30 AM
STILL CONTEST TIME!
Identify the state and topic and you'll get first pick at a complimentary color study for that issue. Here's the beginning of the rendering. Your best approach is to first identify the states not yet painted in the Bevil GFA set, then go from there. Click on the green box to the right to email me
your answer.
TUESDAY. JUNE 21. 10 PM
CONTEST TIME!
Identify the state and topic and you'll get first pick at a complimentary color study for that issue. Here's the beginning of the rendering. Click on the green box to the right to email me
your answer.
Clarence says,
The state is Colorado and its for the Colorado baseball team
Kendal says,
Hey Clarence. Good to hear from you. Hope you're dong well and that you'll be able to do some school cover-talks this upcoming year. Incorrect Clarence. The real question is, what is that wicked looking thing there in the middle? If you guys can figure that out, you'll be halfway there.
Mark says,
I like the North Dakota subject. Having lived there for 4 winters, there are a few things to highlight.(geographical center of US near Rugby, or International Peace Garden, but Ft. Mandan and Lewis and Clark may be my favorite. This is where they teamed up with Sacajawea. I do believe TR’s time in the Dakotas is a perfect Bevil cachet connection! Mississippi theme is a great story! We sure can use more unity and grace and any reminder of such is a good thing.
Kendal says,
Oh Mark, I'll have to show you guys what topic I almost chose for North Dakota in place of the Roosevelt story. After producing the Colt .45 issue, I just wasn't in the mood to do another outdoorsy western felling issue. but I pressed through. I still am tempted to chunk the Roosevelt inking and go back to my initial topic. I'll post it in the next few days.
Mark says,
I did not pick up my mail yesterday (Saturday) as it didn’t appear I received any mail worth collecting. Then I saw the post from Ray, and just went to visit my mailbox.
Hurray! My package from Bevil Cachets has arrived! Another awesome set of cachets! As WW II aircraft is one of my big interests, I love the Wisconsin cachet. I also really like the SD cachet with the biker! Will now read the write-ups as they are always interesting.
Thanks for the great painting!
Kendal says,
We sure a love for aviation. I'm hoping the USPS will release an aviation-related set in the near future.
Ray says,
Hi, Kendal . . . I received your Greetings from Maine, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin covers in today's mail. They are absolutely outstanding and so typical of your always-exceptional work . . . both beautifully artistic and extremely educational, as well. I'm so happy that the Bevil train is on the tracks again. Thank you for lighting up my day.
Kendal says,
And it sure felt good from my end painting them, and Janice enjoyed packing them up and sending them your way. Thanks Ray.
Eric says,
Really fun to see the video short, painting the gun handle. Looks great!
Kendal says,
Thanks Eric. Good to hear from you.
Mark says,
Saguaro cactus on a Greetings from Connecticut cachet! Only from a Bevil Cachet and the connection works! Love the Colt blueprint and focus on the pistol. Gonna be some action in the desert. Was looking for a roadrunner! :))) Keep up the great painting!
Kendal says,
Thanks Mark. As a kid living in the Texas Hill Country, my two favorite critters to share the little league baseball outfield were the jack rabbits and the road runners.
Steve says,
I just watched your new painting video. PLEASE do some more. That was fun to watch.
Kendal says,
I'm on it, Steve!
Ron says,
Kendal, I appreciate your continued work to complete the GFA set. All the collectors of any KB cover will be excited . It is difficult with all the work you do during the day
Kendal Says,
Thanks. Most of my cover work is taking place between 5:30 and 7:30 AM.
You got to do what you got to do. And actually, I'm enjoying my early morning time out here in the studio. I say "out here" being the studio is in the rear portion of my back yard.
Mark says,
He’s baaaccckkkk! Welcome back! Love these four you are working on. The headlight lens on the South Dakota cachet looks amazing. Some airbrush trick I am guessing!
Kendal Says,
I'm glad you're giving a thumbs up on the South Dakota issue, because I got off to a pretty rough start, in that my first few full paintings of the issue, well it looked not good. After struggling with the new model of airbrush and paints, and not really fond of the artwork, I eventually made numerous subtle
changes in the colors, lighting, and shadows, and it slowly came to be a descent cover. I was pretty concerned at the start.
Tom says,
Hope I am on your list. Very much want the last 11. Beautiful & innovative.
Kendal Says,
Tom, I think you're spot on with your thoughts. When I first tackled this set, my ambition was to not put out there another set of the 50 states with the predictable topics, being state flowers, birds, ect. Once I landed on the idea of searching out something unique each state has contributed, whether it be a food, an invention, a restaurant chain, anything, I went with it. It's turned into a great set that has become enjoyable to collect and read.
Frank says,
Was a very pleasant surprise to receive your email. Thought you may have joined Judge Crater and Jimmy Hoffa. For those of us who do not collect the “Greetings” series, when can we expect to see your works of art for the commemorative backlog? Again, good to see you back among the “living”
Kendal Says,
Hey Frank. Good to be visiting with you after such a long while. Yes, I'm still in the land of the living. Presently I must stay focused on completing the Greetings From America set, as I had these cancelled in 2002, and subscribers have been waiting far beyond what they should have. I've considered slipping in a few current commemorative issues, but I'm resisting at this point. Hang in there, and let's see how soon I can finish this present race.
Ray says,
Hi, Kendal . . . I know that I speak for everyone in the hobby when I say that it's so, so great to see you back. You were greatly missed. And I greatly look forward to the continuation of the Greetings from American set. Keep up rockin'
Kendal Says,
Thanks Ray! I struggled a little bit getting back in, with the different paints and airbrush, but I'm up and going now.
Jerry says,
Glad to see you painting.
How soon can I get the Greetings from Wisconsin issue?
Kendal Says,
I believe I'll have these 3 issues complete with certificates in the next 2 weeks. Janice will then pack them up, send them out to subscribers, after which they can be collected by general collectors. You're on my E-Card list, so you'll get notified.
Robby says,
Kendal, what about Greetings From Maine? I thought you were about to paint it?
Kendal Says,
I got side-tracked. Another issue caught my attention, or something like that. Anyway, I'll now be painting the GF Maine issue next month.
Ron says,
Thank you for working on the Greetings from America series. This is such a beautiful collection to date. The remaining 11 will complete a collection that will be a tribute to you personally. Your work will always be right on top of the list.
Kendal says,
Thanks Ron. Now let's complete the set!
MONDAY. JUNE 20. 9 PM
I THINK WE'RE THERE
Greetings From Mississippi is ready to go to the easel. Squeezed in some magnolia flowers at the top, and a few lines from Finch's poem, The Blue and the Gray, at the bottom. The flowers get a little lost, behind the angel, though once the cover is painted, they'll be distinguishable.
MONDAY. JUNE 20. 2 PM
NEEDS A LITTLE MORE
So, with the angel in place, there might be room to bring in a magnolia bloom in the upper space between the Greetings box and the statehood date. I think I need to capitalize "the" in the copy box, "the North and the South."
MONDAY. JUNE 20. 1 PM
WORKING THROUGH
GREETINGS FROM MISSISSIPPI
With the angel inked, next I will design the issue on the cover. My guess it will need more than the angel. I have a few options, I can add. Friendship has magnolias roaming through out the hills, so I may drop in some magnolia blooms. along the bottom of the cover I can illustrate the headstones,
maybe in a silhouette. I'll also see if I can
utilize some wording from Finch's poem,
The Blue and the Gray.
SATURDAY. JUNE 18. 7 PM
INKING GREETINGS FROM MISSISSIPPI
The ladies of Columbus, Mississippi, one year following the Civil War,
laid flowers on the graves of both the North and the South
at Friendship Cemetery. From this act, Francis Mills Finch penned the poem, "The Blue and the Gray." In addition, out of this, came our national holiday, Memorial Day. This marker,
in Friendship Cemetery, resides over the plot
of Dr. Teasdale, a local pastor
who left his church to preach
to the soldiers on the
battle field.
FRIDAY. JUNE 17. 6:45 PM
WORKING ON
GREETINGS FROM NORTH DAKOTA
Upon losing his mother and wife
on Valentine's Day, Theodore Roosevelt took up ranching, cattle steering, big-game hunting, thief chasin', and all things manly, in the North Dakota Territory. I made an attempt at ignoring this story, first wrestling with a few topics, of which I'll share with you later. I returned. I begin painting this issue next week.
TUESDAY. JUNE 14. 8:30 AM
GF CONNECTICUT
NEWSLETTER COMPLETE!
Tonight I will sign and number the GF Connecticut, and soon get to cleaning out the Bull Pen, then drop GF Connecticut in. The issue is painted, and as of this morning the newsletter complete. I will also be building the web site pages for the 4 GFAs which just went out, making them available to FDC collectors.
FRIDAY. JUNE 10. 7:30 PM
A LAST-MINUTE CHANGE!
I decided to insert a little action in the background scene. My friends and I happened upon a mountain lion in a small cave some years back. Other than that, after having spent a considerable amount of time in the desert and Texas Hill country, I've never laid eyes on one. They say once you spot one, he's had his eyes on you a long time.
FRIDAY. JUNE 10. NOON
PAINTING THE PISTOL GRIP!
I made the decision to paint the pistol grip last, being concerned the grip would get lost among the leather holster and belt, all being brown tones. I made sure to choose a golden yellow-brown for the leather, then choosing a reddish brown for the pistol grip.
Look closely at the desert silhouette at the
bottom-right and you'll see I added a little action to the desert scene.
TUESDAY. MAY 8. 6:45 AM
PAINTING GREETINGS FROM CONNECTICUT
As Janice is assembling subscriber packets, I'm on my way to painting Greetings From Connecticut, spotlighting Samuel Colt, and the role the Peacemaker Colt .45 played in taming the Wild West, and arming the U.S. Army in the late 1800s.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Note the altered Greetings star with the ship, comparing the painted cover to Monday's unpainted cover. The silhouetted water was confusing and "odd". Visually it was to stark. Removing the black water below the ship certainly brought needed clarity to the cover. I was also concerned with the different browns that would have to be along side each other in the cover, being the brown holster, the brown handle, and the brown-gray gun metal.
It all works good though.
MONDAY. MAY 6. 7:15 AM
AN ERROR DISCOVERED (AND CORRECTED)
Embedded in the background of the GF Connecticut FDC below, I used a blueprint representing an earlier model of the Colt 45. This one is correct, showing the 1873 military issue that became known as the Peacemaker.
Now the blueprint drawing matches the gun in the holster. I suppose the earlier blueprint would have worked, as it illustrated the evolvement of the Colt 45, still, I would prefer the drawing match the Colt
in the rendering.
SUNDAY. JUNE 5. 8:30 PM
GREETINGS FROM CONNECTICUT RENDERING COMPLETE
Once Janice proofs the copy for typos, grammatical and factual errors, these will be printed here in the studio, and will make their way to the painting room, or the booth, which is what I refer to it as, an 8 by 8 foot room. Maybe I'll do a video of my painting booth in the next few days.
FRIDAY. JUNE 3. 8:30 PM
INKING WITH MY DIGITAL EASEL
This evening I hope to wrap up the ink rendering for the Greetings From Connecticut issue. For several years I've been generating my ink drawings on a digital easel. When I went from traditional paper and ink pens to a digital easel, the artwork improved instantly 1000%. I have total control over the project and I'm able to zoom in and tackle any subject matter creating the utmost detail. The Colt 45 becomes as big as my computer screen making it possible to add a limitless amount of detail.
FRIDAY. JUNE 3. 1:00 PM
WHERE I PAINT COVERS
Replying to Ron's post to the right, I mentioned my studio. I'm discovering my best opportunity to paint covers in this season of my life, is the first opportunity of my day, being about 5:30 in the morning.
With all four GFA issues I've been working on the past few months now complete and in Janice's hands, this upcoming week she'll be putting together subscriber packets.
It's a pretty sight to see four issues in the Bull Pen.
Today I'm writing and constructing the Greetings Card, which lists the issues, accompanied by brief commentary and greeting.
MONDAY. MAY 30. 9:30 AM
GFA ISSUE #3 IN THE BULL PEN!
That makes 3 GFA issues in the Bull Pen.
I'll continue to paint and hopefully complete
Greetings From Maine in the next few days.
SUNDAY. MAY 29. 10:45 PM
GFA ISSUE #2 IN THE BULL PEN!
2 GFA issues in the pen. 2 to go!
Feeling pretty confident another GFA issue will go in tomorrow.
SUNDAY. MAY 29. 8:15 PM
A GFA ISSUE HEADS TO THE BULL PEN!
Greetings From Wisconsin has been placed in the Bull Pen.
Visit the Bull Pen to see the painted cover and the certificate/article. When the four GFA issues I'm working on are in the pen, they'll be released.
SATURDAY. 9:45 PM
CLOSE TO RELEASING FOUR ISSUES!
Below I am about to paint the Artist's Proofs, the AP being the unpainted cover, lower right. I've placed it in the context of the other Artist's Proofs about to be released, along with the GF Maine cover from the main lot. I do this making sure the Maine AP will be notably different.
I begin painting what I know will not change, being the hunter and his clothing. After that, I want to see new colors.
Above is the completed Artist's Proof.
With the certificates printed for the four painted GFA issues, this upcoming week I will be cutting, folding, and inserting certificates into the covers,
Keep your eyes on the BullPen, as each issue upon completion will be placed in The BullPen. When all four are in, they'll be released to collectors.
THURSDAY. MAY 19. 7:45 AM
DESIGNED THE GF MAINE ARTICLE
I took a break this morning from painting GF Maine and began producing the Maine stuffer. At this stage I pass it along to Janice and she will research and write the article. She provides accurate facts and history, then I'll add my thoughts as well. Designing and producing the certificate/articles give me a mental and physical break from painting the covers. It is looking more like I'll be releasing all four of these together, instead of the first three.
Oops! It says "Greetings from WISCONSIN"!
Janice will catch it! She's a superb proof reader.
MONDAY. MAY 16. 10:30 PM
GREETINGS FROM MAINE ON THE EASEL
The GF Maine Bevil issue will make the cut and go out with the other 3 GFA issues already painted, or, I'll paint it and set it aside for the next group of covers to be released to collectors. Either way, it's getting painted. And that's a good thing. A perfect duck hunting day is gray, overcast, wet, with low visibility. At least that's what my duck-hunting friends tell me. We're located on the marshy coastline along the Texas and Louisiana border. No pretty beaches here, though Galveston is about 75 miles west. This is my first cover to paint. I may make a few changes, darkening the sky around the hunter. My second subject consideration was the lobster industry, though I found a story of a man's journey in founding and building a company more personal and interesting than focusing on an industry.
SUNDAY. MAY 15. 9:30 PM
GOT MY EYE ON GREETINGS FROM MAINE
Okay, 3 GFA issues are painted, and while Janice is just now beginning to write the articles for the 3 certificate stuffers, I might have time to get Greetings From Maine painted. I'll either be sending out 3 GFA issues, or, I just might send out 4 GFA issues, the fourth issue being GF Maine. As soon as I produce one on the easel, I'll post it here. Maybe tomorrow night, or Tuesday.
SATURDAY. MAY 14. 12:30 PM
GREETINGS FROM TENNESSEE ON THE EASEL
With Greetings From Tennessee being painted, in the next few days I'll have these 3 issues painted and will begin producing the accompanying certificates.
FRIDAY. MAY 13. 10:45 AM
GREETINGS FROM TENNESSEE INKED!
With Greetings From Wisconsin and South Dakota painted, numbered and signed, GF Tennessee has moved to the easel to be painted. I'm in the studio all day today, so I'm expecting to produce a few good-looking covers to post here later this evening.
TUESDAY. MAY 10. 8:15 PM
GREETINGS FROM WISCONSIN PAINTED!
Greetings From South Dakota is painted. and now I've completed Greetings From Wisconsin. You may know by now I really enjoy painting aviation-related issues. This was no exception, even down to inking all the rivets on the beautiful C-47, which flew in for a recent Airventure Oshkosh show. The Greetings From Tennessee is on the easel about to be painted. These three GFA issues, which will be soon bundled up and sent out to subscribers, all three have a good story behind their topic. Well, I'm going to take a few steps behind me into the painting booth and see if I can paint a few covers before I retire for the evening. Look for the Greetings From Tennessee issue to be posted here in the next few days.
FRIDAY. MAY 6. 3:00 PM
GREETINGS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA PAINTED!
I've utilized the Aztec airbrush here in the studio painting my cachets for over 25 years. Some years back the Aztec airbrush was discontinued, and I've been scooping up any airbrush parts on the aftermarket since. I dreaded the time I would be unable to find parts and it finally came this year. I've struggled for a few months with a new airbrush line, as well a a new line of paints, and I am finally now feeling confident to move forward with it.
So long to my old friend, the Aztec airbrush. With it I probably painted over 100,000 cachets.
Greetings From South Dakota is painted, awaiting the certificates. In researching South Dakota's contribution to the USA, I hesitated to focus on Sturgis, mainly because, well, it's not really an event you want to submerse your family in. Still, Sturgis truly is an amazing event that boggles the mind with its history, size, and of course, the "flavor" of the event and the attendees. Just imagine a town of 5,000 overtaken by about a half million bikers. Oh my.
I'm now about to begin painting Greetings From Wisconsin. While the town in Wisconsin isn't overrun by 1,000s of bikers, it's small airport for one week out of the year becomes the world's busiest airport. Oshkosh!
TUESDAY. MARCH 1. 8 PM
GREETINGS FROM MAINE IS INKED
AND READY TO PAINT!
I've designed and inked the Greetings From Maine issue and it's next in line to be placed on the easel here in Bevil Studio. I live in duck hunting country, here on the eastern edge of Texas, on the coast, 30 minutes west of Louisiana. No really beautiful beaches here, but a lot of marsh. And many here are avid duck hunters. A few weeks ago after doing the research for this issue, a noticed a lady friend wearing a pair of Bean Boots.
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 6. 8 PM
READY TO PAINT
GREETINGS FROM WISCONSIN
Osh Kosh Fly In is the largest and truly the most spectacular and amazing annual airshow in existence. Plane enthusiasts from around the world fly in with aircraft from all genres; military, seabirds, experimentals, and the sheer volume of aircraft flying in makes this small-town airport, during the fly-in, the busiest of any of the largest international airports.
One of the great contributions and crowd-pleasers at Osh Kosh are the military aircraft, especially the World War Two aircraft. Here, spectators are affectionately nestled for the day around a Douglas C-53 Sky Trooper, which I chose to grace the Greetings From Wisconsin issue.
Click on image to enlarge
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IN THE STUDIO TODAY