In The Arts

Remembering artist Chris Medina

A large gathering of Chris Medina's friends recently held a celebration of his life at the home of Bren and Terry Briano in Canyon Acres, after the 40-year-old unexpectedly died from heart failure on November 6.

Medina was a talented artist, poet, musician and lover of nature. He was born in New York City and lived in England during his childhood. He attended high school in Virginia and graduated with honors from NYU in English literature. He has lived in California for the past decade, the most recent years at his studio/residence in Laguna Canyon. His paintings and original comic books often featured animals, and sometimes included pleas to respect the Earth and one another.

He is survived by his parents, a brother and two sisters.

Graphic novelist to visit Hi De Ho

Phil Yen, known as the "Godfather of the modern American Graphic Novel," will sign copies of his new children's books, including the award-winning "Dinosaurs Across America," at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hi De Ho Comics, 350 Broadway, Laguna Beach.

Recommended as one of the most outstanding 25 graphic novels for kids by the School Library Journal, the book teaches U.S. history and geography.

Yeh will also sign copies of his new book, "Steve the Dog & the Winged Tiger," which tells the story of a couch potato dog who learns to explore the world outside of the TV set, video games and the Internet. The special 1,500 hard cover edition has limited availability.

Yeh is also the founder of Cartoonists Across America and the World, a group of artists whose mission is to promote literacy and the arts. He founded CAA in 1985 when his friend, Wally Amos, informed him of the growing illiteracy crisis in the United States. Yeh's band of artists has painted more than 1,800 colorful murals promoting reading and the arts in 49 states and 13 countries, including a mural for the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution on the Capitol mall with President Reagan and the Library of Congress with former First Lady Barbara Bush.

He was recently a special guest of the 40th San Diego ComiCon where he was presented with an Inkpot Award for his contributions to the field of the comic arts.

Yeh will join writer Michael Aushenker and artist Rafael Navarro, who will make an encore appearance, in costume, to sign "Gumby's Gang Starring Pokey."

Ceramic art and sculpture show