Artists starve for Ronan library

RONAN - Hundreds turned out to Willard's bar throughout the day Saturday to check out the Second Annual Starving Artist exhibit.

Julie Moore, Craig Dulmes and Tim Piedalue all had their different brands of art displayed throughout the bar during the 12-hour event that acted as a fundraiser for the Ronan City Library. Dulmes, a photographer who specializes in tasteful nude and semi-nude shots, in addition to the normal litany of photos he takes, sold postcards. The models on the cards were on hand for a few hours during the event to sign the cards and meet with attendees. Selling the cards helped raised $360 for the library, Moore said.

"We had well over 200 people," she said. "It was fun."

Before the event even began, Dulmes had high hopes for the turnout.

"This is a great time for getting behind something," he said. "We have a few more women coming in so we expect more proceeds than last year."

Wall, tables and even pool tables were adorned with beautiful art from each of the five artists. Moore paints, everything from canvas to large saw blades. She said she usually takes photos and then paints from them.

"I've always been painting something," she said. "People see something I've done and ask if I can paint this, even if it's a skull. I've been dabbling in it forever."

Piedalue is known for his intricate tattoo, logo and T-shirt designs.

"I'll do just about anything," he said. "The crazier, the better."

The common thread between the three may be a lifetime interest for their respective art form. Though he didn't imagine he'd ever do tattoos, Tim's doodled his whole life,

"I was one of these kids that always had a crayon or something," he said. "My mom would give me a notepad during church to keep me busy."

Dulmes has taken photos for approximately 10 years, but has always appreciated the art. And with his business, In Decent Exposure, he has certainly found his niche.

"My average clientele is 35 to 45 year old women that want a nice picture of themselves for an anniversary or whatever," Dulmes said. "Women don't want to see themselves on a page of Playboy, they want classy stuff."

The unique variety of art was a good draw for the community, and helped raise money for an institution in dire need. Moore, who owns Willard's with her husband, also helped recruit five more people to paint chairs for an August fundraiser auction. The library bookworm made an appearance as well at the entrance of the bar. The idea behind the worm, Moore said, is to send it around the community as a separate fundraiser. Someone can "sponsor" a trip for the bookworm to a friend or business' yard, and the idea is to have it make its way around town. The fundraiser will benefit the Friends of the Ronan City Library, and will cost $25 a trip.

"It's kind of fun to have someone call and ask if you can raise money for them," Dulmes said of the event. "Usually they shoo us away."

Not in Ronan, where even starving artists are a big part of what makes the community go round.