When I first got online the first guy who got my attention was Hugh MacLeod. I thought he was the only guy who just might be smarter than me. He was able to take complex ideas and make them very simple. He also was a kick ass artist. I never really considered him a cartoonist as he would refer to himself as. I admired him from a distance in awe of his brains and his talent. Then one day I was reading gapingvoid.com and I saw this post. I was speechless, and honored. I knew that I was on the right track. One day I finally got to meet Hugh. It was at Two Boots Pizza in Grand Central Station NYC. We spent a good deal of time talking, not of blogging or technology, but of love and art. We had very similar views on these matters. He was such a sweet and genuine man and I walked away from this meeting even more impressed than I was before. We slowly started to communicate more and more and a friendship grew. Man to man, artist to artist. About two years later I received a phone call from Hugh’s colleague Jason. Would I like to work with them? It took me all of 2 seconds to make my decision. Jason was as special as Hugh was. A man of big dreams, and an even bigger heart. We’ve been working together for a few months now and it has been the most rewarding business relationship of my career. Men of vision. Men of integrity. They accepted ME, and my talent, warts and all.
Recently, Hugh made the leap to fine arts as well as the work we do for clients. I was in Alpine, Texas last week and was thrilled to be there when Huey received the first artists proof from the printer for him to sign off on. Words cannot truly justify the joy I felt in my heart to see Hugh in this moment. The next phase for one of the most exceptional men I have ever had the honor of calling my friend. As I, Jason, and Hugh’s father witnessed Hugh signing the print, I was overcome with emotion. My friend had broken through to the next leg of his journey as an artist. I am so very proud of him, and cannot wait to see what he has in store for all of us. We are lucky to have him.
Congratulation Huey. I love you brother.