Uncle John’s Log & Co.

Noteworthy developments since 1952:

(a work in progress)

1952
• Born on April 29th at 10:23 am.

1958
• Entered first grade at McKinley School, Milton-Union system.

1963
• Joined band as a sixth grader and played the saxophone.

1964
• Family moved to new house on Shoop Road near Tipp City.
• Entered seventh grade at Broadway Junior High School.

1965
• Debut of Mission: Impossible, all-time favorite television series.

1969
• Completed Famous Artists School’s prescribed home-study Course for Talented Young People.
• Lead role in Junior class play, On Monday Next.
• One mile PR time of 5:45 in SWBL cross country meet, Tipp City.
• Participated in “Vote 19” effort to lower the voting age in Ohio.
• Elected president of Thespians and National Honor Society.

1970
• Performed on stage in Lost Horizon and Finian’s Rainbow.
• Diploma from Tippecanoe High School.
• Summer job as lifeguard for Len Hellyer in Trotwood.
• Entered School of Design on scholarship as a graphic design major at the University of Cincinnati.

1971
• Civil service position as summer lifeguard for USAF at WPAFB.
• Created Pirate Waters on family vacation to Lake Cumberland.
• Pledged Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
• Started keeping a written journal of thoughts and personal anecdotes.

1972
• Began multi-section cooperative education relationship with Cato Johnson Associates.
• Volunteered for Senator George McGovern’s presidential campaign.
• Saw Ira F Grubman on stage in Abelard and Heloise.

1973
• Portfolio competition scholarship from Art Directors Club of Cincinnati.
• Designer/illustrator for Clifton magazine.

1974
• Spent seven months of professional practice in Brussels, Belgium.
• Traveled in France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and The Netherlands.

1975
• Began personal correspondence with consumer advocate Ida Honorof.
• Met with Melissa Manchester backstage after a club performance.
• Inducted into Phi Eta Sigma honor fraternity.
• Earned Bachelor of Science in Design from U.C.’s College of Design, Architecture, and Art.
• Hired by Bruce Beck Design Associates, a member of The Design Partnership, Evanston.
• Relocated to Chicago (Rogers Park).

1976
• Purchased Motobecane 10-speed road bicycle.
• Hitchhiked from San Francisco to Humboldt County on holiday.
• Completed multi-day training in aikido with Sensei Koichi Tohei
• Met Gene Siskel at Society of Typographic Arts conference.

1977
• Relocated to Vandalia, Ohio to reside at J’s Inn.
• Hired as senior graphic designer for University Publications at Wright State University.
• Worked closely with Dana Willoughby (Dana Lynn Breidenbach) in office of Design Services.

1978
• Left Wright State for freelance assignments.
• Created Railroad Carryout locomotive mural in Tipp City.
• Hired as art director for Health Street Journal, Medway.
• Met Dick Gregory, Russell Means, Jane Fonda, Ann Wigmore, and John Yiamouyiannis.
• Joined The Longest Walk in Washington, DC to protest anti-Indian legislation.

1979
• Dixon Clan purchased The Blue Bank Farm in Casey County, Kentucky.
• Returned to University Publications at WSU as senior designer.
• Resigned with supervisor Dana Breidenbach to establish new business partnership.
• Co-founded Graphic Design Works. in Mad River Township near Dayton, Ohio (dba Dixon Design).

1980
• First trip to the campus of The Summit Lighthouse, Malibu.
• Created the original OHIOANS artwork for WSU.

1981
• Portrait of Dick Gregory brought $700 at auction.
• Created logo design for The Blue Bank Farm.

1982
• 12-week spiritual retreat at Summit University, Malibu.
• Married Dana Lynn Breidenbach on September 11th at Dixonwood.
• Hired as Adjunct Assistant Professor at WSU.

1983
• Birth of my Godson, Nicholas James Dixon.
• Created primary graphics for the Dayton International Airshow.

1984
• Considered closing studio and moving with Dana to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
• Relocated studio to Yellow Springs, Ohio as a member of DAATA.

1985
• Death of mother-in-law, Evelyn Maria Rowland Breidenbach.
• One-year hiatus from WSU faculty.
• Purchased one of the last Toyota Camry sedans imported from Japan.
• Vacation to Charleston, South Carolina and Smokey Mountains.

1986
• Returned to Kitridge Road studio and adopted the name Dixon Design.
• Began second three-year stint in WSU Department of Art.
• Remodeled house on Beatrice Drive, Dayton.
• Vacation to Toronto and Niagara Falls.

1987
• Vacation to Montana, Yellowstone, Devil’s Tower, Dakota Badlands, and Mount Rushmore.
• Selected to develop new branding for Upper Valley Medical Centers.

1988
• Developed identity graphics for BCD Technology.
• Taped Pirate Isle on family vacation at Dale Hollow Lake.
• Purchased 324 West Broadway at auction in Danville, Kentucky.

1989
• Commenced restoring Danville “Town House,” room by room.
• Presented business image seminar for Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

1990
• Selected to design newspaper ad campaign for Centre College.
• Bartered design for art with Sheldon Tapley.
• Relocated studio and home to Danville, Kentucky.

1991
• Developed new branding for AdMart International (formerly Ad-Mart Attractions).
• Produced video for Ephraim McDowell Foundation with narration by Charlie McDowell.
• Created first poster design for The Great American Brass Band Festival.
• Birth of my grandson, John Marty Strock, Jr.

1992
• Created community viewbook— Danville Boyle County USA.
• Bartered design for art with Stephen Rolfe Powell.
• Designed inaugural practice materials for Jerome A Dixon, D.O.
• First September fishing trip to Barefoot’s Resort.
• Catalog for AdMart International won Addy Award from Lexington Ad Club.

1993
• Death of my brother-in-law, Ivan Wayne Adkins.
• Dozed off and destroyed Toyota 4-Runner in crash on KY-151.
• Designed logo for Broadwing Farm.
• Taped Pirate Revenge on family vacation to Lake Cumberland.
• Brochure for CIP International won two Addy Awards from Lexington Ad Club
• Death of my father, John Edward Dixon.

1994
• First project for Burkmann Industries.
• Inducted as a member in the Rotary Club of Danville.
• Community viewbook won Blue Pencil Award from Kentucky Association of Government Communicators.

1995
• First project for Kentucky Trust Company.
• Created CD graphics for New Columbian Brass Band.
• Sara Pearson became our first and best intern from Centre College.
• Community viewbook won Superior Rating from American Economic Development Council.
• Completed first 45-miler on Motobecane 10-speed road bike.

1996
• Created Eagle Nest logo.
• First project for ACUTA.
• Completed first 100-mile “Century Ride” on Peugeot 16-speed road bike.

1997
• Created logo for TLA.
• Designed graphics for local Brass Band Festival Wagon.
• Selected to develop new branding for Clinch Valley College.
• Met Charlton Heston in Lexington.
• Brochure for Boyle County Tourism won Traverse Award from Kentucky Tourism Council.
• Launched Website for Dixon Design.

1998
• Completed 25th Anniversary Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon in 2:07:45.
• One mile adult PR time of 6:26 in the 12th Moonlight Mile run, Danville.
• 5,000 meter PR time of 22:54 in the Railroad Days 5k Run, Junction City.
• Completed first individual tri-sport event, McDowell Challenge for the Cure Triathlon, Danville.
• First project for Jackson of Danville.
• First project for Mathews Conveyor.
• Bartered design for art with Brook Forest White.
• Created brand graphics for Red Crow Hot Sauce.
• Vacationed at Anse Marcel on the island of Saint Martin.

1999
• Selected to develop new branding for UVA-Wise (formerly Clinch Valley College).
• First project for Tim and Jo Ann Rice.
• Began serving a ten-year term on the Salvation Army Advisory Board
• Passed Rokyu-level requirements in Aikido.
• Provided cycling leg for 1st-place team, McDowell Challenge for the Cure Triathlon, Danville.

2000
• Created identity program for Symbiotix.
• Attended landmark Norman Rockwell exhibition in Chicago.
• Escorted Donald H Rumsfeld to Centre College for 2000 Vice Presidential Debate.
• Brochure for Boyle County Tourism won Traverse Award from Kentucky Tourism Council.

2001
• Vacationed at the Cooney Abode in Hayward, Wisconsin.
• Caught PR king salmon on Lake Huron after September 11 attacks that same day.
• Official start of nephew Brendan’s Xorph.com.
• Vacationed in California and rode the Coast Starlight to Davis.
• Observed 30 years of journal-keeping.

2002
• “HAUS OF CARDS: A Retrospective” 50th-year exhibition of miniatures, Historic Grayson’s Tavern, Danville.
• Completed “50 on 50th” birthday challenge (31-mile/50k run + 19-mile walk).
• Made “pilgrimage” to Simon Kenton grave site with best buddy Mike Menke after 25 years of postponement.
• Completed 25th Anniversary Chicago Marathon in 4:53:27 (11:12 per mile average pace).
• Designed identity graphics for the 10th Planet.
• Death of a favorite aunt, Rosetta Dixon Cooney.

2003
• Developed Website for Barefoot’s Resort.
• Grandson Marty’s first trip to Barefoot’s Resort.

2004
• Created new branding for Danville Bike and Footwear.
• Designed logo for The Heritage Society of Centre College.
• First developed campaign materials for Mike Harmon, State Representative.
• Seminal wood engraving workshop with Wesley Bates.
• 100-yard swim PR time of 1:27, Centre College pool.
• Death of my brother-in-law, Joseph B Wood.

2005
• Launched Uncle John’s Log & Company.
• Bruce Joel Willoughby survived grave illness.
• Developed Website for Danville / Boyle County Chamber of Commerce.
• Appointed by Governor Fletcher to the Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission
• 50-yard swim PR time of 0:35, Centre College pool.
• 150-yard swim PR time of 2:25, Centre College pool.
• Brochure for Great American Brass Band Festival won Traverse Award from Kentucky Tourism Council.

2006
• “CONNECTIONS: WE ARE ALL ONE” juried exhibition of SLMM associate members, Lexington.
• 500-yard swim PR time of 9:12, Centre College pool.
• 1,000-yard swim PR time of 19:09, Centre College pool.

2007
• Featured artist for The Great American Brass Band Festival.
• Profiled in Arts Across Kentucky magazine.
• “COMPASSION” juried exhibition, merit award winner, EKU, Richmond.
• “KOSMOS: Discovery and Disclosure” solo exhibition, Community Arts Center, Danville.
• “EXPLORING MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS” SLMM national juried exhibition, The Albuquerque Museum.
• Joined Facebook social network.
• Selected to develop new branding for Pike Valley Farm.
• First wood engraving commissioned by Larkspur Press for collection of Maurice Manning poems.
• Salvaged stone and brick from demolition of First Baptist Church on West Broadway.
• Named by Governor Fletcher to The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
• Celebrated 25th wedding anniversary on September 11th.

2008
• Death of my Godfather, Andrew Donald Dixon.
• Wedding of my Godson, Nicholas James Dixon.
• First competed in annual Martini .310 Australian Cadet Rifle match at Simpson Knob, Kentucky.
• Attended the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Organization Conference in Dallas
• Fulfilled first major portrait commission for Mrs. James Brady.
• “THE MARK OF GREAT ART” juried exhibition of selected Kentucky artists, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto.
• “CARVED SURFACES” joint exhibition of wood engravings to honor Wesley Bates, Elk Creek Vineyards, Owenton.

2009
• “FREEDOM” juried exhibition, promotional card designate, EKU, Richmond.
• Provided creative direction for Jacob Tamme advertising campaign, Bluegrass Community Bank.
• Celebrated 30 years of self-employment with Dana, my “partner in all things.”

2010
• Tippecanoe High School Class of 1970 reunion, 40 years.
• “BLACK & WHITE” exhibition, Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea.
• Provided album design for DUST, first solo release by M. Lucas.
• Trade show exhibitor, World Equestrian Games, Lexington.
• First solitary whitetail deer harvest, The Blue Bank Farm.

2011
• Death of my stepson, Bruce Joel Willoughby.
• Grandson Marty enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
• Launched series of “MISSION: MADNESS” gatherings with my sister Joan.
• Received David Bell Birney HOPE Award from The Salvation Army
• Death of a favorite uncle, Clarence Gels.
• Nephew Brendan suspends regular contributions to Anacrusis after nearly 8 years of ritual.
• Traveled round-trip with Dana to San Francisco bay area on Amtrak’s California Zephyr.
• Saw landmark exhibition, Kurt Schwitters: Color and Collage.
• My mother diagnosed with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

2012
• Artworks accepted as part of major exhibition to celebrate centennial of collage (1912-2012).
• “ABOUT FACE” exhibition, Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea.
• Helped organize first-ever “Community Trails Summit” in Danville / Boyle County.
• Completed “60+60” birthday challenge (60-lap swim + 60-mile ride).
• Created logo design for Last Adventure Farm & Orchard.
• Attended monthly “Tribal Monday” meetings with Kathleen O’Brien, artist.
• Launched The Collage Miniaturist.
• Celebrated 30th wedding anniversary on September 11th.
• Fifth consecutive winning campaign as designer for Mike Harmon, State Representative.
• My daughter returned from South Carolina to live with us.

2013
• “NEW YEAR, NEW WORK” exhibition, Community Arts Center, Danville.
• Invited to participate in annual “ARTTOUR” in Central Kentucky.
• Created new logo designs for ACUTA and BELLS UP Winery.
• Artwork was selected in top five at the biennial “Art-Full Raffle.”
• Added online-purchase feature to The Collage Miniaturist.
• Illustrated RF Tales: Tale of the Gumbog
• Continued each-Thursday visits to Mombo as part of a Clan care regimen.

2014
• “INGREDIENTS RECLAIMED” solo exhibition, Mahan Gallery, Danville.
• Designed poster for 25th Great American Brass Band Festival.
• Collage artworks on display at four different Central Kentucky galleries simultaneously.
• Attended Phil Town’s “Transformational Investing” workshop in Atlanta.
• Completed milestone portrait commission for Greg Barrett and Lynne Johnston.

2015
• Joint venture with R H Hunt displayed at “IT TAKES TWO: Collaborations by Kentucky Artisans.”
• Wood engraving and collage artwork appeared in two different Lexington exhibitions.

2016
• Essay published in exhibition catalog for “DADA Centennial: Day of the Dead.”
• Elected as coordinator for annual “ARTTOUR” in Central Kentucky.
• Artwork selected for Governor’s Derby Exhibit, Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort.
• Key participant in “JUXTAPOSE: Collage and Assemblage,” Danville.
• Artwork also displayed in Santa Fe, Cincinnati, and Berea.

2017
• Selected by Kentucky Arts Council jury for “Kentucky Crafted” program.
• Three major collage artworks exhibited at the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art, Lexington
• Featured prominently in Berea at “225: Kentucky Artists Celebrate Kentucky’s History.”
• Death of a favorite aunt, Carol Dixon.
• Joined Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky.

2018
• Celebrated 40th anniversary of first date on March 10th.
• Played “Mr. Kraler” in theater production of The Diary of Anne Frank.
• Bicycled 80 trail miles in Ohio with Scott Vagedes and Mike Hoover.
• Participated for second time in “The Governor’s Derby Exhibit,” juried by the Kentucky Arts Council.
• Injured left knee in a backyard mishap while washing Joe Wood’s truck.
• Supported Dana’s public opposition to an inappropriate mural proposed for downtown Danville.
• Completed eighth collage miniature collaboration with Allan Bealy.