A sense of intimidation is also common among newbies; the fear that they won’t be able to keep up, that they’ll slow down the class, and the biggest of all: that they’ll be the only beginner in the group. This perception, however, is not the reality.  In fact, the Getaway was originally intended for beginners, and today it caters to all skill levels, including professional artists.  Invariably, those who do take the plunge are glad they did, experiencing a strong sense of camaraderie and family (it may sound corny, but it’s very true), that the instructors are far more down-to-earth, friendly, and accessible than they imagined, and that they learned more in four or five days than they would in months or years on their own.

For the uninitiated, the Airbrush Getaway is typically conducted in a 16,000 to 18,000 square-foot space, in an open forum where you’re encouraged to check out the other classes.  It is also the World’s largest, most dynamic, and unique airbrush workshop program.

The Getaway offers the following 4-day courses: Photorealism with Dru Blair, Automotive Graphics with Ryno, Power Portraits with Jerry Ott, Ultimate Airbrush Techniques & F/X with Terry Hill (new class), Airbrush Mastery with Gary Worthington, Pin-Up Art with Lorenzo Sperlonga, Murals
on Steel with Jonathan Pantaleon, Wildlife Art with Denis Mayer (new class), T-Shirt Airbrushing for Fun & Profit, and Airbrush Tanning & Body Art with Lamari Millot.
1-Day classes include: Intro to Airbrush, Intro Automotive Graphics , Intro Murals on Steel, Intro to Pinstriping, and Airbrush Tanning.

Also, if you haven’t yet bought an airbrush and related accessories and equipment, DON’T.   The Getaway will show you exactly what you need for your setup, which can add up to a savings that is probably worth the price of admission alone!  There is no better place to test drive the various airbrush models, spray guns, stencils,
surfaces, paint, etc. before you buy.  In fact, you needn’t bring anything to the Getaway barring a pad and pen for notes; everything is provided for you.

So, if you’re ready to expand your talent, and be a part of the largest paint party in the World, please feel free to call me (yes, I will take your call) at 800-876-2472 or, for international callers, 732-223-7878.  Just say, “Cliff, I read your blog and demand that $50 discount you promised!”

Getaway Factoid: Students range in age from their teens to their
70′s!

Fun Info About Thursday, April 13th

In 1742, Georg Frederick Handel conducted the first performance of Messiah at Dublin, Ireland. Handel also was the harpsichordist. In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published. Birth anniversary of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the US (1742-1826). Birth anniversary of authors Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) and Eudora Welty (1909-2001). Thailand: Songkran Festival (Aug 13-15). Today’s Birthdays: Peabo Bryson, Bill Conti, Al Green, Garry Kasparov, Davis Love III, Ron Perlman, Paul Sorvino, Lyle Waggoner, Max Weinberg

About the Jan-Feb issue. I truly apologize to any loyal subscriber who felt left out by not receiving the now notorious free DVD. We absolutely meant no harm or snub by it. The DVD version of Jan-Feb was a very expensive promotion designed to increase sell-through on the newsstand, introduce Airbrush Action to an entirely new audience, and to promote the effort’s major sponsor, Auto-Air Colors, whom, by the way, has been the most generous and progressive company I’ve ever worked with. As a personal aside, Auto-Air’s Craig Kennedy is a true visionary. I know he’ll hate me for saying that (he’s an overly modest dude), but I believe it to be accurate. Because of your collective response, and our error in judgment (I must say that to satisfy today’s quota of Jewish guilt), we will never exclude subscribers again. I welcome all to contact me personally (ceo@airbrushaction.com) with any issues, questions, or comments you may have about Airbrush Action.

Also, this issue was, to be candid, good by accident.  We really had no great airbrush cover feature, and had to put our best foot forward because of a $10,000 promotion we committed to that better penetrated the Canadian market (Wal-Mart Canada, 7-11, Macs West, and others).  Ah, the price for airbrush evangelism.  I turned to my biggest weapon, airbrush pin-up artist, Olivia, and she was generous enough to help out last minute.   Historically, all Olivia covers sell out.  She and her husband, Joel, are wonderful people, and I love ‘em to death for always being there for us, and for their dear freindship.  By the way, many of our strongest issues have come via serendipity. 

As the leader of my company, I’m certainly responsible for motivating my employees, but there’s really no one to give me a boost when I need it.  For anyone going through this, all I can advise is work through it and know that you’ll rebound.  It’s a difficult process, but you’ve got to tough it out and have faith. 

Again, as always, I thrive on your feedback about Airbrush Action, and airbrushing, and wish to know how we can make it a better airbrush publication for you.  Airbrush on.

August 2, 2010
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Seconds after a trespasser put a gun between his eyes, 57-year-old Mark Rush shoved the gun up and it went off, slicing through his skull.  “It felt like a branding iron going through the top of my head,” Rush said Monday from his hospital bed. “I immediately put my hand up there to see if my brains were hanging out.”

But the struggle between Rush, a Panama City Beach resident, and an as-yet-unidentified suspect, did not end with the first shot. As Rush was down from the gunshot wound, the suspect, who had entered Rush’s yard uninvited, was now in his house and going through his things.  “He was twitchy as hell the whole time,” Rush said. “He kept yelling like he was on something.”

For Rush, who was bleeding heavily, the situation looked dire. “I thought, ‘No shit, this is it.”  And the trespasser was not done.  “He said, ‘I shot you once; I’ll shoot you again,’ ” Rush recalled. “Then he shot another round. He missed me.”

Despite his injury, Rush managed to tackle the trespasser. “I figured, if I can get ahold of his gun again, I can turn it on him. It’s my only chance,” he said.  After a subsequent struggle, Rush, who has a concealed carry permit and owns several guns and other weapons, the assailant fled. “I didn’t follow him out ’cause I figured he could shoot at me again,” he added. At that point, Rush called 911. His harrowing Sunday afternoon that began with a strange visitor in his yard ended with a trip to the hospital.

“The neurosurgeons today said I was really, really lucky,” Rush said. He has 50 stitches in his head and blood on his brain, he added.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. They say the suspect is a white male in his mid to late 20s, about 6 feet tall, weighing 150 to 175 pounds, and has big ears, bad teeth and a thin face. He has medium-length dark hair, a tattoo on his left arm of a sword or a cross, and possibly a tattoo on his right leg. Authorities said a reward likely will be offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

We at Airbrush Action wish the best for Mark’s recovery and future.