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Attezarf Moderator Joined: 30 May 2001 Total posts: 1290 |
 Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject: IN MEMORIAM - Bryan "Rodney" Dunn (1968 - 2005) |
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Bryan "Rodney" Dunn, passed away suddenly on Monday June 6th, after suffering thru a long debilitating illness.
Born February 3rd, 1968. Bryan "Rodney" Dunn, is lovingly remembered by many family and friends. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m. at KINGSVIEW UNITED CHURCH (505 Adelaide Ave. E., Oshawa). Memorial donations are endowed to the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (72 Queen St., Oshawa L1H 3Z3).
"Rockin' Rodney" was a popular artist talent, within Toronto's larger comic-book community. His path seems to have crossed every other artist in town, at one time or another.. But he began working in the comic-book field in earnest, as a studio assistant to Ken Steacy, sometime in the early 1980's.
He soon found work of his own, for Bill Marks at Vortex Comics -- contributing artwork to the 'Vortex Magazine' anthology. And story art to the last 2 issues of Vortex's popular MISTER X title. (1988)
By the late-80's, Rodney also spent some time assisting at Paul Rivoche's studio. And on his own, freelanced on a number of Production Art jobs, for Byron Preiss Publications..
In 1990, Rodney released his own self-published comic-book project; under his VISION label, entitled: 'ATOMIC COW'.
He was very active in all areas of Fandom, throughout his life...
Something of a letter-writer.. Rod spent a good many years exchanging correspondence with his own heroes.. Alex Toth, Dan Clowes, and a number of musicians..
Outside of comic-book illustration, Rodney had a rabid enthusiasm for rock-n-roll music. A hardcore devotee of what is now dubbed: "Garage" music. Rod followed bands passionately.. Whether it was: The Devil Dogs, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Dictators, or the Donnas!
Of course, he had an appetite for all of the Old School stuff, too: The Stooges, or MC5, and too many one-hit wonders to list here..
It wasn't unusual for Rod to blurt out: "KICK OUT THE JAMS!!", when one of our get-togethers got a bit too quiet for him! heh
Rod even flirted with his own short-lived career as a musician. In 2000, he released a number of eclectic 7" Singles, under the name: 'T.E.E.N: PLAGUE Rave-Rock-Revue' .. Some of the exotic titles to these vinyl records, were: "You Got it!", "Hound Dog", "Pajama Party!", and "Sweat!".
Around 1989, Rodney began an Animation career at Toronto's NELVANA LTD. studios. Working mainly as a Designer, on shows like: 'Beetlejuice', 'Ace Ventura' 'EEK the Cat', 'Ned's Newt', 'WildC.A.T.S', 'Gargoyles', and many many others..
In 1996, Rodney left NELVANA to fully devote his energies to a career as freelance illustrator. His work has appeared in magazines like: MEN'S HEALTH and DETAILS, among others . He also completed a number of illustrations for various websites, including: 'Sports Illustrated for Kid's'.
During this period, Rodney was also developing a number of his own extraordinary creator-owned properties.. Self-publishing a number of these concepts, as unique mini-comics: 'The Sensational JAKK-5' (1998), and 'The Supreme Team' (2001).
Sadly, Rodney's illness left him too debilitated to continue creating artwork, towards the end of his life And as a result, we are denied his most highly-touted (flouted?) creation: The Flamin' First 'Ish! of 'CYBERSTEIN'!
For the past 6 months or so.. Four of us, were fortunate enough to see Rodney on a regular basis; as a part of our regular weekly "Comic-Book Run" crew, to the Beguiling comic shop. Afterwards, we'd head off to Pauper's Pub for a brewski & some chit-chat about the week's events..
By this time, Rodney was under prescribed medications to control his illness. The meds often left him feeling very tired. This, and small hand tremors, made it increasingly difficult for him to create new artwork. Despite this, Rod always seemed to be in good spirits..
His last public appearance was at the recent Paradise Comics' TORONTO COMICON (April 29-May 1, 2005). He will sorely be missed, by all of us..
Rest in peace, Rockin'-Screamin'-Rollin' Rod!
-- Rich, Drazen, Serge, and Dominic
p.s.. If you have a particular memory/anecdote to share about Rod.. Or, simply want to give a reaction to his work.. Please feel free to add them, to this Thread! Thanks.
Last edited by Attezarf on Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:54 am; edited 3 times in total |
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drazen66
Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Total posts: 558 |
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:47 am Post subject: super rock |
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I first heard about Rod through a mutual friend who said " You gotta meet this guy, you'll love him" and not
long after, we did meet and became great friends instantly.
Hanging out with Rod was like the blurb on his comic the Supreme Team [my favourite of his]..Freaked Out! As You Like It!
I owe him much that I will never be able to repay. He encouraged me to get my first job in animation, introduced me to the comic book work
of Yves Chaland and Serge Clerc , made me really appreciate Alex Toth, and was a passionate artist and enthusiastic, unpretentious supporter of " the good stuff", in underground and mainstream comics, art and music and a supportive friend.
As sad as this is I can't help smiling when I think of Rod...and remembering the many nights huddled around "the Bar" with a coctail
in his studio apartment, blasting the Devil Dogs "Back in the City", and howilng with laughter as Rod yelled on about the brilliance of
Kirby's Machine Man [ especially the "Battle on a Busy Street Issue], the truth of Homo Geneticus or any one of his endless personal
projects, getting progressively more messed up before going to see a rock local rock show.
Rod always did it "On the One!" and I'll miss him.
-drazen
the first 3 images are from a Calendar Rod did for the Canadian band Grapes of Wrath not long after I met him, a pin up from the
'91 Amazing Heroes swimsuit and the cover of the second T.E.E.N. Plague 7 inch
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| Eberhard Faber Ronnie |
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for this post, Drazen. Sincerest condolences to those who knew Rod. This is the first I've heard of him, and sadly it's about his passing.
It brings up so many things that we shove into the back corners of our days--too busy to see the larger journey when dealing with the currents and turbulence around you.
Good to know he had friends around him. We should all be so blessed when the time comes.
R.
_________________
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| Lester McToil Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Total posts: 229 Location: Berkeley, Ca Gender: Male |
| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, what a very, very talented guy and a great loss. I'm familiar with him and his work and I'm surprised by that.
Thanks much for bringing this here and for collecting all of that great work for us.
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| Attezarf Moderator Joined: 30 May 2001 Total posts: 1290 |
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Many thanks for the kind sentiments, Ronnie & Lester!
The memorial service itself was a modest & low-key affair. But many many friends attended & shared some of their memories of Rod. And afterwards the attendees brunched in a downstair's auditorium, that exhibited a lot of Rodney's art. From his days in Fandom, thru to his Professional work..
One artist that sorely would've liked to attend the service was Ken Steacy. A comic-book artist that now makes his living in Victoria, British Columbia. The other side of Canada, for all intents & purposes..
But in the early to mid 1980's, Toronto's Queen Street West scene was a hotbed of comic-book interest & production. Vortex Comics & 'The Silver Snail' were a hub for most of the city's artists..
Rod apprenticed under Ken, when he was still living here. They worked together on many projects. The 'AstroBoy' comic-books, were just one of many. Ken e-mailed me a number of great photos of Rod. I thought that I would post them here.. To show you the Man behind the Art!
-- Rich
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| MartinRedmond |
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm sorry.
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| Phil H Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Total posts: 3 Gender: Male |
| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Well lets see if i can post this ditty. As you can see it is the BW version of the above.
Rod loved BW art, and I think this version has more power and gives a much better idea of his original concept.
This photocopy was an earlier draft of this particular work. i saw in his studio a latter version with various revisions.... anyone has a copy?. Rodney told me about how he had put up this particular piece of artwork at some kind of Nelvana thingy showcasing the artists personal work. Anyway...the word had gotten back to him that some to be name less female executive type was leading some people through the "gallery" when she stopped at Rodney's work. " Hummmmph! " she exclaims " i hardly find anything about this compelling". (yet for some reason this was the one piece she choose to drop a comment on). Rodney loved to laugh about that story.
Sorry, i only have a crappy small regular scanner so i had to put it together hastely in photoshop, so its a bit off on the old alinement.
yikes.....I now see the blacks are grey...will fix as soon as I get a proper chance.to post some more stuff.
Last edited by Phil H on Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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DJ-BUG
Joined: 07 Aug 2003 Total posts: 65 Location: Toronto Gender: Male |
| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 8:24 am Post subject: Rod |
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The diversity of images show what varied range Rod had and gives me a much greater appreciation of his talent.
I'll have a pint for ya buddy.
Cheers, Dom
www.dominicbugatto.com
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| Lester McToil Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Total posts: 229 Location: Berkeley, Ca Gender: Male |
| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Rich, the photographs really, really put a face to person. And what a kind, happy face. Thanks again for commemorating his passing here.
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| Phil H Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Total posts: 3 Gender: Male |
| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:42 am Post subject: |
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These "prints" are great,
sorry about the bad scan quality of the stuff I am posting. Its times like this when I realise my PC does not cut it and I should return to apple.
i believe Rod gave these to me when he visited us when we lived over on St Denis Street.
We went out at night and saw the Lyres play at Cafe' Campus. They rockith well, one of the best shows I had ever been to.
Next morning Rod had his usual bowl of cornmeal ("we had our fun now it's time to be good"!) he wanted Red River cereal but we were out.
As you can see Rod was really getting bold and sophisticated with his art at the time before the illness began to really kick in. Hopefully someone out there has other examples of these prints.
I am a little worried about the proper collecting and cataloging of his work. ** (note below)
At this time my wife is doing research into setting up a scholarship fund at OCAD in Rodney Dunn's name for comics and/or sequential art. She manages these type of funds here at a college in Montreal but also Gary Taxali who teaches in the illustration department at OCAD is enthusiastically behind this project and will help out where he can. Dave Kiner has offered to do a benefit concert to help out. Anyone in Toronto who wants to help make this happen please do!!! Me and my wife will definitely be there.
** note: update I have been told recently Rodney sold off his work to a collector before his demise.
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| Gary Taxali Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Total posts: 1 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:25 am Post subject: Rodney Dunn Award |
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Hello everyone,
I concur with Phil's sentiments. Phil, his wife Tess and I have been working for the last few weeks on the logistics of a Rodney Dunn Comic Book/Sequential Art Award for 1st year OCAD students. We are still ironing out the details with the school at this time. We feel that Rod would approve of an award in his name being given to a young comic book artist to make his/her art. As faculty, I am in constant communication with the powers that be at the school and they are very supportive of such an award. (Believe me, it wasn't easy getting them to 'emphasize' the criteria for the award since no such classes are in place for 1st year students, but we're making progress...)
I was very pleased today when Rod's step mom, Joyce, phoned and asked for my help in selling Rodney's books on art and design. When I told her of our plan to create the award, she thought it would be a terrific idea to to use the funds from the sales of the books towards setting up such a trust.
I know our pal Rod would be smiling in approval and would give Phil and I the thumb's up.
I still can't believe he's not here anymore.
Kind regards to all,
Gary
(Please don't hesistate to email me if you have any advice/questions, etc)
gary@garytaxali.com
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superman
Joined: 09 May 2004 Total posts: 503 Location: Toronto ON Canada Age: 35 Gender: Male |
| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:46 am Post subject: |
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I felt a bit crushed when I saw this posted on this board. Rodney was the nephew of my mothers cousin. I remember as a kid, with Rodney being fairly young himself, when he would come up to my grandparents campground. I am sure I must have annoyed him with my constant fascination by when watching him sketch over his shoulder. I remember now how patient he was with me... even giving me my first few lessons in drawing. I still remember the things he taught me... and often use this information when I draw today.
I regret very little... but now I do regret not trying to get in touch with him as I got older. I wish I could have told him how huge of a difference he made in my life personally.
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| Attezarf Moderator Joined: 30 May 2001 Total posts: 1290 |
| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for chiming in, Stuart.. That was a beautiful post, to read. I really had no idea that you had crossed paths with Rod. And at such a young age, too! Rod was the kind of guy that seemed to have crossed paths with just about every artist in Toronto, at one time or another.. The guy really got around!
This past Thursday, J.Bone held an informal "Going Away Party" for Darwyn Cooke & his girlfriend: Marsha. They've now moved to, and will be living.. in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were a number of other local artists & retaillers, in attendance.
Not too surprisingly, myself & Drazen (drazen66) both mentioned to Darwyn at the party.. that the first time that we'd ever even HEARD his name; was in fact, thru Rod.
Both had lived on Noble Street in the seedier part of Parkdale, for a time. And I can recall Rod mentioning to me on a few occasions.. "Remember this name, Rich... someday, he's gonna be HUGE!" I guess he was right, as it turned out.
Darwyn smiled at the memory. And mentioned that Rod was an infrequent visitor, during that time. And both would talk up Life, Art, Comic-Books.. and probably specifically: Alex Toth & Jack Kirby! haha
But you could also sense a certain melancholy in Darwyn's smile. Like myself.. I think he too, realized that a relationship with Rod (particularly in the last 4-5 years of his life) could also be very demanding..
As Rod's mental illness became more pronounced, he could be quite combative, socially. He's had his arguments, with a number of his closest friends. And I know that up until the most-recent Toronto comic-book conventions, he & Darwyn hadn't actually been talking to each other. Due to some totally pointless argument, I'm sure.
After Rod's illness was diagnosed & he began receiving prescribed medication.. The irony was, that though the meds left him more rational & allowed him to think with greater clarity. The drugs also seriously dampened his otherwise vibrant personality. And also seriously impeded his drawing & painting abilities, too.. Something, that I'm sure wore on him, greatly.
Rod was definitely a very unique guy. And I feel privileged to have known him, during his short Life..
He'll definitely be missed!
-- Rich
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| Phil H Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Total posts: 3 Gender: Male |
| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: scholarship donations |
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This is just an annoncement that Gary Taxali has informed me that a scholarship in the name Rodney Dunn for comics and sequential art has been set up at the Ontario College of Art and design for the amount of $700
Rodney's mother Mavis has generously donated and raised some money and myself my wife and Gary Taxali will be topping up the award yearly to keep it at the $700 mark (which may raised at a later date as inflation requires....ie in the future when a cup of coffee costs $12)
As I understand it any funds donated to the scholarship above and beyond the given prize amount is invested by the college and reserved for later years. Which would be great.
So yes...getting to the point I am would like to hit up anyone interested to make a donation either large or small either as a one off or as something you do annually. Even 10 to 50 bucks if you can, anything helps.
You will get a tax receipt for any amount which means basically we get the government to kick at least 30% of that back to your when you do your income tax.
So I figure it's a win win situation for anybody who wants to do this out of respect to the memory of Rod.
Gary Taxali can provide any information I may have omitted.
checks can be made out to and sent
OCAD Bryan Rodney Dunn scholarship
c/o
Karen Henry/ Development Office
OCAD
100 McCaul St.
Toronto Ontario
Canada M5T 1W1
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| Attezarf Moderator Joined: 30 May 2001 Total posts: 1290 |
| Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the update, Phil.. And for all of the work you've done, behind-the-scenes. And of course, to illustrator Gary Taxali, too..
The announcement comes at an opportune time. I noticed when I turned over my Calendar to February..That this past Friday (Feb. 3), Rod would've celebrated his 38th Birthday?! It's sad that his Life was so short. I still think of him, often..
Best Regards,
-- Rich
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