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Show 4 Vernal bursts rndoy, October u, m Cartoonist By Traci Menke Express Assistant Editor About six years ago Roy Freestone, local artist, decided it was time for him to do something he really liked to do. As Freestone put it, "I finally decided to do what I do best." He first began to think he could make a living at painting when he entered his work in shows and fairs in the area. He won several ribbons and also won the Peoples Choice Award for Best of Show three years in a row. Roy Freestone has been drawing political and the Pessimistic Patty cartoons for the Vernal Express for three years. In October of 1980 Steve Wallis, News Editor at the Express, asked Freestone to do the cartoon work, and he gladly accepted. In fact, Freestone stated that "drawing cartoons for the Vernal Express Ex-press is about the best thing that has ever happened to me." Not only is Freestone a popular cartoonist, car-toonist, but he is also a very talented artist. Freestone is a self-taught artist and has been doing paintings since he was about six years old. Freestone remarked that when he was in school he did most of the posters for school dances and other activities ac-tivities for the community. Prior to pursuing art as a career, Freestone worked for five years in the Uintah Water Conservation District at Steinaker Dam. He also worked for eight years in maintenance for the Uintah County Hospital. His oil paintings are typically those of different and colorful landscapes, he exaplained that he does not really like to do portraits. Freestone said many of his paintings are done from pictures supplied to him by the person purchasing the painting. The pictures he paints from are quite often photographs of homes where the purchasher once lived or where a relative lives. Even though Freestone would like to make a living by only painting and cartooning, the largtest portion of his income comes from sign painting and advertising promotions. He added that he will on occasion donate one of his paintings to a hospital or an old folks home, so that more people can enjoy his work. Most of the work he has done has been in the Vernal area. He has done numerous signs for area businesses. He said his most challenging sign was the one for the Vernal Airport. In addition to sign paintings Freestone has also painted various logos and business names on the bugshields of vehicles, and he has also done art work on hats and other materials. He said he tries to do just about anything pertaining to art including making his own picture frames; however, he said that was not his favorite thing to do. Freestone listed his art priorities as cartooning, painting, and lastly, sign painting. Currently Freestone and his wife Pat live in the Ashely area. His wife is the former Pat McKowen of Roosevelt. They have both lived in this area most of their lives. For a studio Freestone has purchas-' ed an old trailer and remodeled the inside in-side to accommodate his needs. The studio is located next to his home. The Freestones have one daughter, Tami McAdam, who lives in Vernal with her husband, Wayne, and five year old daughter. The best thing about being an artist is not necessarily the money, according accor-ding to Freestone. He said seeing his work displayed around town really gives him a sense of pride in a job well done. He also added that when someone so-meone remarks about how much they enjoyed one of his paintings or signs he is elated. j! f il " c 11 .1.' I J TS-y 1 : WV I I ROY IS shown here putting the final touches on a customer's Painting. His paintings are often of landscapes. PSote by Trod Mt , ' v -v f f. . f. f i , If I i, ' . I JLll ft i ' . v. v f k t 1 'IIIIIHI MMM v ' ' I - I ! via A FREESTONE IS pictured at the entrance to his Ashley Studio. His sign depicts his cartoon image. XL 41' .' T , I . XI irw ' fJiniin:: J y i '-w v r : ; i Si, n ! v -C THE AIRPORT S'gn is about the largest sections, sign Roy had done. It is divided into four -T r - .: r Assist group now available ft ipM w ti Vii iih t fn Mp A'itlMe - i $ ermtp thai c W n iiirtsmw ?pftws ttwMi!i. twcf iai t m mm. Ikt )vu rrrMtp a (tmtd firnt Imjmmlonf ALL of the time? Maria McDonald is now doing PERSONAL Color Analysis at the Hair Affair every Thursday. Cstt tmisy to took nd fret fatter twui yvunetf. CM for ppt. 7890446, Men, women & teenager tcvtcnme! OY A?0 Wirt. Pat, fttat stwd'O. a regaled traa G Our Brccfr I i1 StructO Lciirtt Norwclnti ttatiiticrafftn Make m httmils Sweater (A rdlterfi Kwittrng ttatdanger Letswti Nrw ferttiittg Htilttcm Itftttttqtic |