The Kodak Kidd
* Special Bulletin* The Kodak Kidd- Rebuilding The Solo Artist
I get a lot of people asking me about rebuilding streaks, what are my thought's, opinion's, etc..so I thought I'd copy and paste a recent answer I gave to such a question. It is something that is better left undone I think. It's a much debated subject. Some would choose to rebuild the moniker and extend it's life another 10-15 years, while others would rather leave them alone to preserve their authenticity. One of the big problems is that most people are not skilled enough to do such a thing, nor are they priveleged enough to have that honor. I feel I have earned that through many years of devotion, dedication, and a vast knowledge and love of the artform. I have rebuilt a few, while others I have left alone. It's not something that one can say"' oh look an old faded Herby, let me restore that'' Problem is, if the person CAN NOT restore the sketch 100%, without error in every stroke, then the moniker becomes damaged, and disrespected. Thats my opinion, as well as the opinion of some of my comrades. I'll give you an example. I was walking an active mainline with Stackabones, Nova, and Southern Belle one day down in Virginia. We were sketching coal cars that were sitting their awaiting clearance. Now they can sit there for 5 min, and as long as most of the day. I've seen both scenarios. Anyway, on our return back down the line to exit, they saw an old faded Herby. It was actually quite rare to see on a coal car, not to mention the sketch was a lilttle different, I forget how, I'd have to look at the pic again. Anyway they yelled down the line to come quick ( we were between 2 lines of coal cars) As I got closer they told me it was an old Herby, I forget the date, I think mid 80's. They were anxious for me to restore it, and suggested so. I declined, and explained why. Reason: Quote '' It's extremely faded in some spots, and I am not sure I can accurately restore it. Plus, if this line pulls, and I'm not finished with it, it will be ruined and disgraced'' I kid you not 5 seconds after I said that, the line pulled, and off it went! THATS why some things are better left undone, they all agreed. I've restored some Colossus of Roads, The Woodman, Rum Runner, The Solo Artist, The Artful Dodger, and some tohers, BUT, I could easily see them, it was daytime, I knew the sketches well, and could accurately trace them, and I knew the cars weren't going anywhere, otherwords, they were at a siding or layup somewhere. But yeah I have mixed emotions about restoring monikers, and I try not to make a habit out of it, but I did it out of respect to the artist, and I did them flawlessly! Hope that answers your question, and gives you some insight.
Salutations~ The Kodak Kidd
* Special Bulletin* The Kodak Kidd- Rebuilding The Solo Artist
I get a lot of people asking me about rebuilding streaks, what are my thought's, opinion's, etc..so I thought I'd copy and paste a recent answer I gave to such a question. It is something that is better left undone I think. It's a much debated subject. Some would choose to rebuild the moniker and extend it's life another 10-15 years, while others would rather leave them alone to preserve their authenticity. One of the big problems is that most people are not skilled enough to do such a thing, nor are they priveleged enough to have that honor. I feel I have earned that through many years of devotion, dedication, and a vast knowledge and love of the artform. I have rebuilt a few, while others I have left alone. It's not something that one can say"' oh look an old faded Herby, let me restore that'' Problem is, if the person CAN NOT restore the sketch 100%, without error in every stroke, then the moniker becomes damaged, and disrespected. Thats my opinion, as well as the opinion of some of my comrades. I'll give you an example. I was walking an active mainline with Stackabones, Nova, and Southern Belle one day down in Virginia. We were sketching coal cars that were sitting their awaiting clearance. Now they can sit there for 5 min, and as long as most of the day. I've seen both scenarios. Anyway, on our return back down the line to exit, they saw an old faded Herby. It was actually quite rare to see on a coal car, not to mention the sketch was a lilttle different, I forget how, I'd have to look at the pic again. Anyway they yelled down the line to come quick ( we were between 2 lines of coal cars) As I got closer they told me it was an old Herby, I forget the date, I think mid 80's. They were anxious for me to restore it, and suggested so. I declined, and explained why. Reason: Quote '' It's extremely faded in some spots, and I am not sure I can accurately restore it. Plus, if this line pulls, and I'm not finished with it, it will be ruined and disgraced'' I kid you not 5 seconds after I said that, the line pulled, and off it went! THATS why some things are better left undone, they all agreed. I've restored some Colossus of Roads, The Woodman, Rum Runner, The Solo Artist, The Artful Dodger, and some tohers, BUT, I could easily see them, it was daytime, I knew the sketches well, and could accurately trace them, and I knew the cars weren't going anywhere, otherwords, they were at a siding or layup somewhere. But yeah I have mixed emotions about restoring monikers, and I try not to make a habit out of it, but I did it out of respect to the artist, and I did them flawlessly! Hope that answers your question, and gives you some insight.
Salutations~ The Kodak Kidd