[From the Archive] The November 2009 Don Punchatz Memoiral
Last weekend my husband and I attended the memorial “Celebration” for iconic artist, Don Ivan Punchatz. I’d never had the opportunity to meet Don Punchatz even though he lived not far from us. My husband had met him once or twice and was talking about getting him to come to FenCon. However, on October 22, 2009, Don Punchatz passed away taking a major artist influence out of the world.
Don Punchatz was also much more than a legendary artist in both science fiction and mainstream art worlds. That was very clear from the stories told at the memorial from students and colleagues. Don was a teacher. He passed on his knowledge both on the university level by teaching at Texas Christian University (TCU) and with Sketchbook Studios. He taught artists more than craft. He taught them to respect their work.
One artist told the story of taking paper out of the trash and doodling on it. Don scolded him for that. Not that using what’s at hand is wrong, but telling the artist to have more respect for his work. If the artist doesn’t respect the work how will anyone else? It’s a lesson writers can also take away. I’m the first one to say I’ve scribbled notes on whatever was at hand – and there’s nothing wrong with that – as long as you respect your work. I take that to mean take the effort seriously. It should never be “silly scribbling” or anything remotely derogatory. Respecting your work also means making the effort to follow the rules – including submission guidelines and acting professional.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should think our work is the most brilliant thing ever written. But we, as writers and artists, shouldn’t do the “this old thing? it’s nothing” bit about our work. Even if we’re “hobby” writers or professionals, we need to value our writing, our art, and our skills in order for others to see the value in the work and the time it takes to create it. If we treat what we do seriously, then others will too – including family members, friends, and even editors. Who knows where that will lead? I. for one, can’t wait to find out.
Don Punchatz will be missed by many, including me – who never got to know him first hand. He left behind an amazing legacy. We should all strive to leave behind a “footprint” like Don did. He passed on everything he knew to those who’d come after. He trained, supported, encouraged, and gave back beyond any call of duty, and even in passing, he still managed to teach a lesson. Let us all go forward, respecting our work and sharing our knowledge.