Was the 2014 Ohio Bigfoot Conference the best collection of Bigfoot artwork ever?
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on May 3rd, 2014
Shared from the Fathom Frontiers:
The flow was viscous clumsy balled up heavy weight paper, choking the pathways, bumping and rolling off on another. The pace of the movement was erratic yet not chaotic. The slightly steady putt-putt of people bumping and rolling continued to provoke movement by our vendor table. The table perhaps being more of a director of currents, protecting the group behind it, this plastic and metal form was sturdy; heavy laden with our passion rolled out in a variety of Bigfoot heart and soul. On a semi regular basis people would pause long enough to admire what we had to offer, and many would end up purchasing a little piece of our heart and soul, which in this river of people was just fine since, seeing as we all are part of this well purposed venture, we knew our wares would be owned with a silent smile and a warm pride. Through the conversations that day, embers turned to sparks that would birth the life and fuel the passion passed back and forth between us and all that day.
The 2014 Ohio Bigfoot Conference was a well-greased glory days of industrial revolution over-sized hunk of hardened steel, held together with links of sore yet unwavering backs and aching soles of feet, and eyelids heavy as iron held up with pillars of were makin’ this great and I ain’t gonna stop, this epic production was collaboration too its swirly molten core. Distilled down from the passions of a small yet fervent group, the Ohio Bigfoot Organization, with unmatched eagerness to succeed, passed between them like a game of hot potato, passion like lightning; passed around not to bear the burden of, but to share the experience as one.
Pulling a Houdini like trick, vendor tables were tucked into every nook and cranny, while still leaving enough room for the ebb and flow.
Within the vendor tables lay a multitude of hidden Bigfoot gems. The wide breadth of Bigfoot related books, art and collectables and the diversity of talent with the brush, word and hand was prodigious.
With all of the talent on display, this story could go on for a hundred pages, of that you will be spared, but a few will be highlighted. One of the speakers, who also had a well displayed vendor table, was Lyle Blackburn. Grassman Gear sponsored Blackburn, and Blackburn was promoting his latest labor of love, his book, The Beast of Boggy Creek. Blackburn’s quiet demeanor is belied by his passion for the cryptozoology field, his books are well researched, and his writing is a physical representation of his passion.
Another talented artist was Eerie Eric. A well tattooed man, he brings an infectious eagerness, which comes through in his art. A tattoo artist as well, Eric continues to produce great pieces whether on paper or flesh.
Within the flowing sea of thousands and set-up on the shoreline, were Walter Tippie and his Tip Top Leather. To know Walter is to understand the pride he takes in each piece of work. A business for him, for sure, however if you could see how he loves to see owners of his products share how much they like them, his eyes light up, and you can see the joy of craftsmanship in his expression.
One last (but not at all least) artist is Andy Finkle. Andy’s art work is unique, and I love his approach. I know he describes his art differently, but for me I see it as a darkly whimsical approach, working from the inside out, and ending with something you will stare at waiting to see the depth that lays within the piece.
I know there were so many more that have not been mentioned. This is not meant to slight anyone, nor to insinuate that anyone and their work is any less talented or worthy. I included those who I had managed to spend some time with talking with on an incredible and crazy Bigfoot day. I urge you to check out the artists and see a small piece of the diverse talent that was part of the 2014 Ohio Bigfoot Conference. See you in 2015!
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
