Saturday, July 16, 2011

Full Circle

I've posted to this blog pretty continuously for quite a while now, but with a deep sigh, I must take a leave of absence for an indeterminate time. I have a very intense deadline that will take 2 to 3 weeks, not to mention spending quality time with my daughter before she departs for university, and in what little spare time I have left, I will be developing new content for a new blog that I hope you'll enjoy—showcasing master illustrators, both contemporary and classic.

I am not abandoning this blog by any means. I'm greatly attached to it, and all the many cyber friends I've made through it. Check back in a few weeks, cuz I still have a ton'o'stuff that has inspired me over the years and could have some interest for you.

In the meantime, I'm coming full circle with this post, commemorating the impending retirement of Bud Plant, the image lovers friend for many years with his mail order art book business. Over the years, Bud's catalogue and on-line store has been the primary source for hundreds, maybe thousands of books of images that are scarce to find anywhere else. I've purchased many books from Bud that are key pieces in my library.

The Bud Plant catalogues themselves have been a tremendous source of inspiration. Even when there was no way to afford all the goodies that he offered, so many of them were imaged in full, bright, glorious color, arranged in eclectic, yet organized layouts that were worth collecting in their own right. There were many catalogues over the years, usually with quarterly updates and I'm posting here just a few of the front, back and inside covers.

Here's where it comes full circle: These catalogue covers and many more were the primary inspiration for me to photograph and scan my graphics collection and create eclectic and colorful compilations for digital archiving — and then ultimately to appear here on this blog, and in turn shared with so many of you around the world.

Here's to you Bud! All the best in your retirement. I wish I could afford to buy your store, but hey, I need that money to help put my daughter through college (but she gave me a gift certificate for your store for Father's Day that I need to finally redeem—so I'm heading over to your on-line catalogue now).

And for the rest of you, to use the words of Dr. Sidney Freedman of the M*A*S*H tv series:

Ladies and gentlemen,
please take my advice,
pull down your pants
and slide on the ice . . .






























17 comments:

Will Shetterly said...

Have a great break!

Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Thanks Will! See ya later!

joe ackerman said...

have a good one, Thomas. you deserve it. just not TOO long, 'ey? see you soon, chum!

Eric said...

Try and enjoy your break, Thom. I'll see if I can FINALLY get around to scanning those other Alley Oops for you before you get back!

I've had the pleasure of talking with Bud a few times at cons; while I wish him the best of luck with his retirement things just won't be the same without him around.

Eric

PS: I assume the break also extends to Whirled of Kelly. I further assume the Sunday Pogo is exempt. Can you confirm either assumption?

Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Whirled of Kelly will limp along with at LEAST Sunday Pogos and hopefully some of your contributions, as I find time.

Daniel [oeconomist.com] said...

Vaya con queso. Vaya con queso. I'll of course be amongst those looking forward to your return.

Jay said...

GREAT covers Thomas! This blog is one of my favorites, so I'm glad to hear you'll be back.

:)

Erik Johnson Illustrator said...

Well we'll only miss you because you always provided us with the best. I also want to personally thank you for introducing me to dozens of fantastic artists and inspiring me to do my own vintage illustration blog posts.

churchy la femme said...

hope you are back soon!I always look forward to whats new..THX

Faff said...

Have yourself and excellent time with your daughter and kick the deadline into touch.

And while you're gone I can look forward to your new blog. Make sure you post details here so I don't miss a thing.

Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Daniel, Jay, Erik, Churchy, Peter— Thank you!

Peter, I will indeed post details here of the new blog(s) .

Sam G said...

As usual...I'm late to the party (after party?) anyways have a great break and big THANK YOU for all the work you put into this blog. The images posted have been a major source of inspiration.

Annie said...

Hi Thom,
I can see why the catalogs themselves were a great inspiration! Thank you for your many wonderful posts, and your posts to come. Enjoy your time with your daughter!

Unca Jeffy said...

Happy retirement to Mr. Plant. I was buying stuff from his catalogue 30 years ago and have always enjoyed perusing his catalogue, even when as you, times wouldn't afford me a dang thing in them.

Happy break to you as well. I look forward to your return here, you're new blog and wish you LOTS of time with your daughter.
We'll be out here waiting to see what comes a-bourning!

Li-An said...

As my son will leave the house too, I can understand what you are living :-)

Elvis Wearing a Bra on His Head said...

Many great covers to leave us with while you're on your break. I hope it will be a great one. I'm looking forward to future installments of The Pictorial Arts.

Anonymous said...

They are very nice!all of them!

looking forward to see your new blog too!!

may you have agood weekend!