Milan "Budde" Reed

Hey all, sorry about the delay in posts. The 4th of July holiday has been treating me well. But don't worry, because I've still been busy at work on the Ludington Show.

Here is progress on my latest portrait, Milan "Budde" Reed. And yes, he is related to Todd and Brad- the photographers I had done earlier in the series. Mr. Reed is another very philanthropic resident of Ludington (for instance he has helped donate to the Ludington Arts Center), he is also the third generation owner of Ludington Beverage Company, Inc., chairman of the city of Ludington building authority and member of the board of directors of West Shore Bank. He was nice enough to come visit me in my studio prior to me taking reference photos of him in his office at the beverage company. I asked him why give back, and to Ludington of all places?

Mr. Reed said that more than money, he felt above all that it was important to give one's time. To make yourself available to the community and that sharing that community togetherness was what was most important in giving back, and that the time one puts in is what gets things rolling and happening. Mr. Reed stays in Ludington given that the Ludington Beverage Company has stayed in the family for three generations, which in this sort of day and age and economic climite is almost unheard of. Ludington, he says, is a special place, and while it may not have a ton of career opportunities, it is a city that can always be improved upon, which will hopefully encourage people to come and for the younger generations to stay, and at the same time should be preserved for future visitors. He had a lot of really good things to say, and it makes me wonder why more people don't volunteer in communities across the nation. Philanthropic and volunteer actions such as Mr. Reeds are part of what make great cities happen.



Alright. So. Even now, with the reproduction of the photograph on my camera and on here, I can see that some value relationships need to be tweeked. The spot on the nose has gotten too dark, and the piece of paper on the table looks like it's glowing from within! So, there's work to be done. I won't be posting again for quite a while, I will be in Pasadena at The Illustration Conference, which I am extremely excited about! I will be a volunteer there, but hopefully it will present some good networking possibilities. Wish me luck!