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I've heard it said many times that Bill is the Dad we all wish we had been blessed with.

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My dad was pretty cool in his own right but he wasn't the warm & fuzzy type. Yes, that exactly what I told my husband when we met Bill in February - Bill is everyone's ideal dad/grandpa.
 

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Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
 
Now that is a great collection!
 

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Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
 
I'm stunned, speechless, and, oh, forget it...I'm going back to look again!

Bill, you really have gone where no Letterhead has been.

Steve, thanks for posting these portraits, and sharing the spirit of Letterheads.
 

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Posted by Delzell (Member # 1965) on :
 
It is worth coming here just to meet people like Bill.

Thanks Steve and Barb for taking the time and energy to display Bill's work!
 

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Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
 
Dear Bill and Steve...
Thank you. I can honestly say that this tour through Portraitland was the best gift I'll get this Christmas.
Bill, your talent and your story are truly inspirational. (sniff!) Thank you for sharing your gift with Letterville. You are one of the few painters who can capture the character of their subject. You transfer their own individual personalities and spark of life onto a little piece of paper. Bravo, my friend.
Are we allowed to pick a favorite? It is nearly impossible! Each one is great. But my favorite is Al Zanetti. I never had the honor of meeting him, but I can almost feel as if I knew him just from looking at his Riedel portrait. And then there's Unkl Ian...and Pierre....well, you get the picture.
THANKS GUYS.
Love- JILL
 

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Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
 
Now THAT'S eye candy!!!

Thanks for posting this great collection, Steve, and sharing it with us all.

I had the opportunity to stop in at Bill's this past summer and saw some of his portraits that were in still "in the works". What a treat!

Look forward to seeing more for many years to come, Bill, and hope to see you again soon.
Rapid
 

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Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
 
Jill,

I've gotta tell you...it captured him PERFECTLY. Right down to the cigarette! LOL.

He had a very serious demeanor and was always looking at something as if he were trying to figure out the meaning of life itself.
 

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Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
 
Thank you. That was an amazing show. I really enjoyed the portraits of the heads I know. You capture the essence of the person. Example, Fred Self, with the twinkle in the eye and that grin, I felt he was about to say something. Pierre lokks like he has already said it!

Great talent, thanks for sharing.
 

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Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
 
Bill, all I can say is WOW! It's like a Letterhead who's who.
Those portraits were done with love and skill by a real gentleman.

Keep up the good work!
 

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Posted by Ed Williams (Member # 846) on :
 
Great stuff Bill..........thanx

I think you should do Jillbean!!!!!! With ??? color hair, any color will work. hahahha
CJ
 

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Posted by paul priestley (Member # 4313) on :
 
like jillbeans if I had to pick a favourite portrait I would have to go for John Jordan. John is very much like Bill in every way. I had the privilege of meeting Bill at the Stockport letterheads meet in the UK (Terry Colley's Down at the Old Bull and Brush) and everything I had heard about him was true, wow what a guy, really took time to explain things to you, and like his art work his wood carving is awsome. John I have met every year since my first meet in 97 and he has become a good friend (allways steals the smoochy dances with my wife) and the portrait picks up on his charm and wit. Is there no end to Bills talents.
 

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Posted by coop (Member # 504) on :
 
Thanks Steve & Barb for letting us share these!

Thanks to Bill for being the man you are. Others have said it much better than I can, but I do feel as if I am a better person for having met you.
 

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Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
 
AWSOME!!!!!

Thanks Bill (and Steve)

I am proud to be included in the collection. Met Bill at Fred's Meet this year in Oklahoma. A nicer, more talented gentleman and Letterhead you could ever want to meet.

Bill sent me a copy. Sue framed it for me for Christmas. It's on the wall in my studio above the combined panel I did with my friends Monte and RT.

Memories of a great time and great people!
 

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Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
 
Fantastic!!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S
 

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Posted by DianeBalch (Member # 1301) on :
 

Thank you Bill for this wonderful art work. Time to go look at them again. Thank you Steve for your time in scanning these in and letting all of us see them. It has put a happy face on many people.

To all Merry Christmas!

Love

Diane Balch
 

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Posted by Tom & Kathy Durham (Member # 776) on :
 
Bill is the true meaning of the letterhead spirit and who knows, I think he also looks a little like the spirit of Christmas too! Could it be the twinkle in his eye.......Thanks for sharing his talents and for sharing everyone else's talents throughout the year. Merry Christmas to all the brothers and sisters of the spirit.
Tom & Kat
 

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Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
 
Bump
 

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Posted by Masterhand Signs (Member # 785) on :
 
Thanks Bill and Steve for the slide show...We got to see these first hand @ our meet this past July...and although the slide show is teriffic seeing the artwork first hand is even better...Your words of wisdom Bill ring true "Just Do It"...Thanks Pat and Ruth
 

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