A Leduc artist known for drawing fantastic comic book heroes is doing something pretty heroic himself: he’s raising funds for Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Hospital.
David Tuff, who owns and operates Hectic Art, has organized “Art for Heart,” a “comic art battle” and silent auction at an Edmonton comic shop, Happy Harbor Comics, on Saturday, November 26 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Tuff said in an interview Sept. 15 a comic art battle is a live competition between comic artists who compete against each on the spot to create the best or most distinctive art.
He said it’s going to be very cool to see eight artists all creating and competing against each other at the same time.
All art drawn during the comic art battle will be up for sale that day in a silent auction.
There’s no charge to get in and Tuff said he’s hoping to get as many people there as possible because the fundraising event has a very worthy beneficiary: the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“It’s an amazing cause, but my daughter spent the first year of her life there,” said Tuff, noting that she needed heart surgeries.
In a press release, Tuff stated, “To explain why this is a cause so near and dear to myself and my family, I will share a story about my daughter Calla. Calla was diagnosed with a rare heart defect even before she was born, at just 18 weeks into my wife's pregnancy. It was a frightening experience for my wife and I and it was followed up by weekly check-ups and doctor appointments up until her birth. When Calla was born on Dec. 31, 2014 they were almost certain she would have to have open heart surgery within days but the strong fighter she is, she was able to wait until five months for her first open heart surgery and because she is doing so well since the surgery, she shouldn't have to have her next heart surgery until she's 3-5 years old.”
While she still needs surgery as she gets older, Tuff said “She’s better.”
The artist said other work will also be for sale during the comic art battle, and that he’s attempting to get some special celebrity guest artists too.
Happy Harbor Comics is located at 10729 104 Ave NW in Edmonton.