A Reluctant Request

This isn’t the kind of thing I really wanted to address here but I’ve gotten enough email and phone requests that I feel I need to make a public announcement. Or, at least, as “public” an announcement as can be made on my little bitty blog here.

A LOT of folks have been asking if there are pages of Mike’s artwork or sketches or even sketchbooks remaining in my possession that I would like to part with either for free or to sell. Some of the requests have been from fans or friends who genuinely want something to remember Mike by, which is absolutely fine, and some have been, well, a little more mercenary. My answer to both groups is yes…and no.

Mike’s artwork means a lot to me. Other than Charlie, it’s all we have left of him. If I had my druthers, I’d keep it all forever. That said, there’s a lot of it, it’s fragile and I realize it’s not possible for me to keep it all. I don’t have the time or resources to archive it properly. So I do plan to distribute SOME of it at some point. How I’m going to do that is a question for another (far off) day.

Mike’s estate has to be dealt with. Since he lived in another state and I’m doing this long distance while working a job with very demanding hours, it’s going to be some time before everything is straightened out. Once it is, I’ll make a decision about what to do with the art and sketchbooks. I do know that I’ll be holding onto the sketches from his blog. Those were very personal to him and, thus, to me. Close friends and family will also get some. (If you haven’t gotten something I’ve promised you yet, I swear, I haven’t forgotten!) As for the rest, the most important thing to me is that Mike’s legacy and name are protected. I’m going to try and do the right thing and that’s going to take some planning.

So, please be patient. I promise, I’m not hoarding this stuff to jack up the value. That wouldn’t work anyway because there’s plenty of his work on the market already. And my day job pays very nicely, thank you. Whatever I do with it, I promise I won’t be selling it off to buy myself a motorcycle or something. If at all possible, I’m going to find a way to help…somebody…with it. It’s what Mike would want and what I think he would do if he was here.

Also, keep in mind that even though we’re back at work, it’s been a month and life has started moving forward again…I still really, really, REALLY miss my big brother. We’re heading into the holiday season and it’s only going to get worse, particularly at Thanksgiving. There hasn’t been a day since August 12th that I haven’t cried at least once. So the requests, as innocent and genuine and well-meaning as they may be individually…taken together, after a while, they’ve started to wear on me. I’m not mad or annoyed, I promise. Some of you have asked very nicely and I appreciate it. And I’m not trying to be a dick or make anyone feel bad. I’m just asking that you give us time to get settled, cut through all the red tape and, well, to just grieve. I can’t begin to tell you how long that last one will take. Maybe forever.

But, eventually, some of the artwork and sketchbooks will be available. Until then, I’ve seen some sketchbooks for sale on eBay. And if you want to remember Mike at his finest, there’s that nifty TELLOS COLOSSAL hardcover for sale right now. So, try to take this in the spirit it’s intended and please bear with me.

Matt