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My Christmas Present: Memories of Wes Kramer

Merry Christmas!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas season! My present to my family this Christmas -- and by extension, all of you -- is a web site honoring my late brother, Wes Kramer.

"Wes Kramer | A Retrospective: 1955-1986" includes a variety of his work from his high school and college days. Special galleries have been created for his major works, a series of pieces inspired by Cahokia Mounds and other mounds created by the Mississippian people in the metro-east and the "Revolt of the Implements."

Much of Wes' work has been hidden from view since his untimely death in 1996, and I believe this site is an appropriate was to share his work with others. I spent much of the last couple of weeks creating this site, including scanning slides of his college work and scanning in original artwork that my Mom has kept over the years. I hope I have done Wes' work justice.

The site is a work in progress. While I think I've included most of his best pieces, I plan to add more in the coming weeks and months. In time, I will photograph some of his sculptures and include those as well. In time, I hope to create a more sophisticated gallery system to present his work.

As you might imagine, reviewing Wes' work was an emotional experience for me, as I'm sure it will be for many of you. While Wes was in high school, it was clear he had an exceptional talent and a special sense of humor. Wes was responsible for introducing me to such comic geniuses as the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, the original "Saturday Night Live," Buster Keaton and, yes, The Three Stooges.

During his days at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Northern Illinois University, Wes further developed his talent. As a person who can't draw worth a lick, I always am amazed what Wes was able to do with a charcoal pencil or with a knife when he created his linocut and woodcut prints.

I hope this site succeeds in presenting Wes' work and preserving his legacy. May all of you receive many blessings this holiday season and in the coming new year!

Roger 1 comments 11:39 AM

Comments:

Roger--Thank you for sharing Wes with us today...
May you have a very blessed Christmas.
peace my brother,
Marty

# posted by  Bike : 12:24 PM

 

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