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new year's eve at dave dorman's
batavia, IL
december 31, 2006
INTRODUCTION
 Just less than one month ago I attended
Art Appreciation Weekend,
where Dave Dorman himself participated in while demonstrating his
incredible artistic talent to a large group of artists. While I was
there I was simply amazed at his talents, as I have always been
interested in his artwork, but to be able to see it up close like that
was out of this world. What was even more amazing that day was him
drawing up a sandtrooper on a Dewback, and it was almost complete with
colors in just about an hour. This was going to be one of those special
moment you wouldn't forget for the rest of your life.
But, just when I thought I was having a great time the ante was upped
a notch. Dave's wife, Denise, was onsite that day and invited all of us
who participated during that event from the
Midwest Garrison to bring in
the new year at their house. I was totally flattered and in awe of this,
and of course I couldn't turn down such an incredible offer. I didn't
have plans for New Year's Eve, and what better way to celebrate New
Year's Eve than doing that with one of the best Star Wars artists of all
time? It was a no brainer.
ARRIVAL AT DORMAN HEADQUARTERS
Ever since the day I was personally invited over to Dave's house for
New Year's Eve, I had been very much looking forward to that day. For
the first time ever, my wife and I dropped our 21-month-old son (Lucas)
off at my parents' house, where he would spend the night there away from
us. It was a hard moment for us, but it was about time for him to spend
an evening with his grandparents.
Afterward we made our journey to Batavia, IL, where Dave has been
living for over a year. The drive took less than twenty minutes, so we
were thrilled we didn't have to drive any further than that on such a
dangerous night to be driving, with all the drunks out there partying it
up. Once we arrived it was time to get the armor out of my car, as it
was Dave's request that I bring my sandtrooper armor. I knew this was
going to be a night to remember.
THE PARTY BEGINS
 I had learned earlier that day that I was probably going to be the
only member from the Midwest Garrison who would be there, as others had
to cancel out at the last minute. That wouldn't affect me in the least,
as I was ready to rock and roll. After saying hi to Dave and his wife
Denise, I got suited up in the armor, and waited for all the guests to
arrive. As they walked through the front door, many of them were shocked
to see a sandtrooper standing in Dave's family room.
 After people mingled for a bit it was time to take pictures with the
trooper. Dave and his family were the first to do so, and we captured
some funny moments with Dave holding up a Master Replicas lightsaber to
add the Star Wars flavor to the mix. Next up for the photo shoot were
friends of his, and most seemed to be enjoying the moment quite a bit.
After the pictures were all done, it was time for me to get out of my
armor and enjoy the party.
THE SKETCH BOOK
 Several of Dave's friends who were there were artists, and throughout
the night they all drew one scene or character into a sketch book. One
guy drew something that reminded me of Eddie from the album covers of
Iron Maiden, others drew their own developed characters, but Dave stole
the show with the sandtrooper figure aiming his blaster at the viewer.
He must have spent less than thirty minutes, but in just that short
period of time he had put together something that looked great. The
sketch book would be going with the Dormans to the next San Diego
Comic-Con, where it would be auctioned off to create a scholarship fund
for some lucky and deserving art student.
TRULY AN HONOR
 When I first arrived at the party I gave Dave a small present, a
picture of us together from the Art Appreciate Weekend. I had it framed
and I even signed the picture saying, "Dave, Happy New Years 2007! Chris
"TD1043" Rhoads." He really enjoyed the picture, and I had printed
another one for him to sign so I could put it in a frame for myself. Not
only that but I also brought my book "Star Wars: The Art of Dave Dorman"
so that he could sign the inside of it for me. He didn't just sign the
book, but he also drew in a quick picture of a sandtrooper on a dewback.
He wrote in there, "Sandtroopers rule the dunes!" When he handed the
book back to me I immediately looked inside, and was just blown away by
his artwork. What might have been just a simple doodle to him, it was
something incredibly special to me. This is something I will not forget,
and the book will be displayed proudly in my
Star Wars collection.
THE WAREHOUSE
The last part of the evening included me locating Dave to say my
goodbyes and thank you to him. I was informed that he was downstairs in
his basement, so I went down there to let him know that we were leaving.
When I got downstairs it felt like I was in a warehouse, as there were
just rows and rows of boxes, most of which were probably containing all
sorts of artwork he had done throughout his career. On one table he
showed us several Star Wars prints of his, and some of them I believe
might have been the originals. If you think his prints are off the hook,
you should see the originals! After seeing all of this I didn't want to
leave, but it was getting really late so it was time to call it a night.
MANY THANKS
Dave, I wanted to say "thank you" to you and your wife, for inviting
my wife and I over to celebrate New Years with you and your friends. We
had such a wonderful time, and we're looking forward to getting together
again soon. Happy New Year!
PHOTO GALLERY
To see the photo gallery containing 27 photos click
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