Tuesday, September 18, 2007

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

17 comments:

japhy99 said...

Bravo Matt. Bravo.

You've got a big heart, and I'm sorry you've been having to deal with this, too.

Heywood Jablomie said...

I'm sure it's very hard to have to deal with things like this, and I'm sure you'll know when you feel things are better in your own time. I picked up the Tellos HC at the Baltimore con and it's fantastic! I was able to get Todd to sign it as well there and it's now propped up proudly on one of my bookshelves. I'm sure you've thought of this, but if you do decide to offer things for sale you could always donate the profits to the ASPCA and other places in Mike's name. Also sorry if you've had to deal with any pushy fans as well.

Mike

Matt Wieringo said...

Honestly, nobody's being pushy about it at all and the individual requests, taken by themselves, wouldn't be the slightest problem and I hope I haven't embarrassed anyone because that's not my intention. It's ALL the requests, lumped together, that's getting overwhelming. I completely understand that folks want a memento of Mike. I just need some time, that's all.

Craig Zablo said...

Well said, Matt.

Heywood Jablomie said...

Oh my bad. Sorry about that Matt. Totally understandable.

Christian D. Leaf said...

Nicely put, old chap. Don't take any guff from those swine. (Sorry, I can never resist quoting HST.)

Brian said...

Hi Matt,

I've got my signed and numbered Tellos Collosal on order from Amazon, so I've got my fingers crossed that I'll be able to get one of those.

As for the art, please take all the time you need and whatever you decide, including keeping it all, I'm sure it will be the right decision.

todd said...

matt--

my brother--

did some chick just totally spam your blogged heartfelt plea...?
is nothing friggin' sacred?
tara, 'e' me at www.burninhellyoubitch.com


damn!

Matt Wieringo said...

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Matt Wieringo said...

And, no need to apologize, Heywood. Your nom de plume cracks me up endlessly. You can post whatever you want as long as it's under that name.

renecarol said...

Go Todd! That was great though spammers rarely stick around to read responses. Mike gave me I think 7 issues of Tellos. So I figure I have what he wanted me to have of his work.

Matt Wieringo said...

I'm just glad Tara finally got back to me with that website she was talking about. I was chomping at the bit...

Unknown said...

Matt,

I know you said that nobody in particular is doing anything specific, and it's the totality of general inquiries that's weighing you down...

But seriously, nothing would help me dump some of this sadness and anger more than kicking someone's ass. Especially someone who's being "mercenary."

You just point me in the right direction and I'll take care of things.

Heywood Jablomie said...

I didn't even notice that that was a spammed post! That's just insane that they can happen here too. Daaaaayum!

And I'm glad the name cracks you up. I kinda grabbed it from an episode of Six Feet Under(shhh don't let them know!). I thought it was frikkin hilarious too.

Adam Hutch said...

Matt,
I'm sorry the requests about Mike's art got a bit too much for you. I've been curious, but I figured you'd just be hanging on to it for awhile, if not forever.

As for Tara, call me a purist but I'm a die hard
"alwaysfreestuff1.info" user, and nothin'll get me to use "alwaysfreestuff2.info" nothin'!

Josh said...

"I hope I haven't embarrassed anyone"

I'll have you know I'm completely embarrassed. Mortified, even. You know in Three Stooges shorts, when the guys would do something horrible and the wealthy dowager would gasp and faint and declare a big "whell hI hnever!"? That's TOTALLY what I'm doing right now.

I am.

I AM!

What?

(so ashamed, I am. yes.)

Anonymous said...

nice article that you have written nd I hope that things and the situation will get better for you

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