Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, February 13, 1998
Former Jayhawk marks canvas
terry Brown, who was a guard for the Joy hawks in 1990-1991, shows off some of his artwork in the Kansas Union. Branna's artwork was on display in the gallery in the Kansas University. Photo by Dan Elfasky/KANSAN
Artist leaves court to pursue career in portraits, design
ay Marcelo Villela
mvilela@kansan.com
Kanson staff writer
Shooting three pointers was Terry Brown's way of expressing himself. Not any longer. Now he expresses himself on canvas.
Brown was a shooting guard for the Kansas basketball team in 1990 and 1991. But Brown has traded in his ball for a set of pastel paints.
His paintings have been exhibited in Lawrence at the Phoenix Gallery, 919 Massachusetts St., and at the Bourgeois Pig, 6 East Ninth St. And in December he had an art show in Topeka.
Before now, Brown's work had never been displayed at the University. Some of his works were on display until yesterday at the art gallery in the Kansas Union.
Howard Milton, SUA graduate assistant, said he thought Brown's work would be a good addition to have during African-American History Month.
Brown said he started painting while in high school.
"I painted but didn't really focus,
I was too much into basketball," he said.
"I didn't get into it until I ended my basketball career."
During his time with the KU basketball team, Brown set a KU three-point-shot record after hitting his 200th three point shot in 1991.
That record was broken Dec. 18, by Billy Thomas.
However, Brown was quick to point out he set the record in two years and it took Thomas four years to break it.
"Basketball didn't work out, so I'm trying to put that off to the side," he said. "Now I'm trying to concentrate on my art."
Brown's decision to abandon basketball came after his experience with the Continental Basketball Association. He said he didn't like the atmosphere and that he was not making enough money.
Brown said he had played in tournaments, but a career in basketball did not interest him anymore.
Brown, 30, has not graduated from the University and said he did not plan to.
"KU didn't really have the art classes I wanted to take," he said.
He said he was interested in clothing design or a degree in graphic design and had considered attending school in Los Angeles.
A regular-sized Terry Brown signature painting costs about $400, but he said sales were not frequent enough to pay the bills. Brown also works for a medical supplies company in Lawrence.
Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams, who was an admirer of Brown's skills on the court, said he had become an admirer of
Brown's skills on the canvas.
"Terry Brown was a player who could score points quicker and was more difficult to stop than just about anybody that I ever coached," Williams said. "He had a tremendous range, he was a fantastic three-point shooter."
Williams said he considered Brown's artwork fantastic.
"But you are talking about a guy who has absolutely no idea what the dickens I'm looking at anyway," Williams said of his knowledge of art.
Brown said his inspiration came from his admiration for art and the enjoyment he got from it.
Among his creations are African-American couples, workers, children and a portrait of Jimi Hendrixzw, but he said he was not limited to painting people of color.
"It's kind of hard to do white people," Brown said. "It may take me a little longer. I did a couple of
The late Princess Diana was also one of his subjects.
KU white players."
Norman Gee, professor of art,
said Brown's style was romantic
and reminiscent of folk art.
"There's a lot of expression and slight distortions that emphasize and exaggerate facial features," Gee said. "It's dramatic."
Gee was Brown's teacher in an introductory drawing class, served as his faculty mentor and remains an unofficial adviser to Brown.
"I think he shows determination and he definitely has a talent," Gee said. "Terry is realistic in that he doesn't put all his eggs in basketball."
But if art doesn't work out for Brown, he still can give basketball a shot.
"I think I still kind of have the touch," Brown said. "Even though I'm getting old."
For one family,it's always Valentine's
Jayhawk grandpa celebrates day of love with birthday gifts
By Lori O'Toole
Special to the Kansan
Valentine's is just a holiday for some. But for one man, it is also a last name and a birthday.
Herbert Spencer Valentine Jr., grandfather of Stephen Valentine, Overland Park freshman, was born on Valentine's Day in 1920.
"I consider it my day," Herbert Valentine said. "I've never met anyone else who's last name is Valentine and was born on Valentine's Day. In fact, I was almost named Valentine Valentine. Thank God the wiser heads prevailed, and I was named after my father. It would have made a big mess of most of my life."
Valentine, Palm Springs, Calif., winter resident, shared this unique coincidence with people across the country in 1937 when he was featured in the syndicated column Ripley's Believe it or Not.
"I never thought much about anything until my high school principal, Mr. Monsees, found out that I was born on Valentine's Day." Valentine said. "During the fall of 1935, he walked me down to the art room where his daughter, Thelma Monsees, was. She drew a picture of me, and he sent it to in Ripley's."
Valentine, then 16-year-old senior attending Southwest High School in Kansas City, Mo., was unaware he had been in the column until after it had been printed. He received a copy of the column in the mail from his older brother, William, who was attending the University of Michigan.
"I was surprised, of course, because I hadn't known it was going to appear," he said. "My brother used to tease me because my name was printed next to a two-headed calf."
Sixty-one years after the column was published, it still has signifigrandfather of KU student
"I consider it my day. I've never met anyone else who's last name is Valentine and was born on Valentine's Day."
Herbert Valentine
cant meaning to Valentine.
Valentine's article has helped him through some tough situations.
"I still have a copy of the article which I carry with me in my wallet," he said. "I pull it out and show people when they notice my last name. I keep the negative at home in case anything happens to the copy."
In 1972, he was in the U.S. Virgin Islands trying to catch a plane on Feb. 14. Although all of the flights were booked, he showed airport employees the article, and they helped him catch the next flight because of his unique connection with the day.
Valentine also has received free desserts and drinks at restaurants on Valentine's Day.
"The restaurants like having me," he said. "They say it's fun for them."
Valentine said Feb. 14 had other benefits, too.
"The family never forgets me," he said. "When the day comes up, they are all reminded it's my birthday."
Stephen Valentine, one of Herbert Valentine's four grandchildren, also likes the holiday's meaning.
"Valentine's Day right now is more about romance," Stephen Valentine said. "I think that the holiday should stand for the general idea of love and that love is the way to go."
Stephen Valentine said the holiday had special meaning for his family because of his grandfather.
"Every day is Valentine's Day for us," he said.
The Kansan
corner of LOVE
Tyler— If you wannabe my lover,you gotta get with my friends!!! your forbidden lover,Steve
TA- Thank you for being my best friend & making me a better person.I love you more every day.-Dar
To all the JAWS out there You are in our hearts. Happy Valentine's Day -Devil, Train, Laces, Biz
---
Thanks for taking the initiative in this relationship. May your V-day be NICE!! Guess Who??
Goose & KC - To the best roommates in the world. Thanks for putting up w/me. Happy V-Day! - Love Rachel
Cindy:
I know distance hasn't been our friend. I miss you and can't wait wait to begin the rest of our lives together.
With love forever, Matthew
To all my shagadellie friends on the Kansan design team, You are a bunch of groomy birds and you freak me out! Happy VD, Matt. T.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
GROMITI I LOVE YOU, EVEN
WHEN IT'S NOT A HALLMARK
HOLIDAY
-GROMIT
Alison, Thanks for being my girlfriend for a day. Jason
To my sexy Sling Blade,Be my Valentine! Love, Chris
Matt-
Just wanted to let every-
one know how much I
love you.
Love Always,
Stacey
Dear Brandi, Becky, Chrissie,
"Farmer",& Justin,
Happy Valentine's Day! Keep
up the hard work.
Love,
Your manager
Leigh
Scott-
Will you be my Valentine?
I love you! Clara
Love,
Shannon
To my Kappa Delta Sisters I love you guys. I hope we all get flowers!
TRUELSEN- You simply amaze me every day.
Happy Valentines Sweet Boy. Love Sweets
Happy Valentine's Day Pookie, From Chailii, Takee Sheebaba, Simba, Hodge, Little Biskit, Quinton, Baubara, Eli, Dote the fish, and me. Rotweillers rule. Chew Toyz & Doggie Biskits.
---
Sonya.
Sugar is sweet
Your voice is like honey,
How about a date?
I'll bring the money... Rick
Lopez-
Are you happy I put one in for you!
Love ya lots, Curran
Amy, Happy Valentine's Day Love Matt
Happy Valentine's Day from the University Daily Kansan!