Nicole McClain at Mid-Ohio Comic Convention

Another year for the Mid-Ohio Comic Convention in Columbus. The show welcomed many well-known celebrities such as The Silver Surfer (Doug Jones) from Fantastic Four 2, notorious pinup artist and personal friend Dave Nestler, amazing artist and personal friend Tommy Castillo of DC Comics, and of course the Salem, AZ team.

Nik Havert (writer), Nicole McClain (Kerry Connelly model), Paul Schultz (artist)

A very special thank you to all of the fans who came out to say hello to the Salem, AZ team. It was great to see you, meet you and sign autographs. We are excited to see so many people interested in the book (before it is even published!) and without you this wouldn't be possible.

Nik Havert reties Kerry's holster wrap

Dave Nestler and Nicole McClain

Check out Dave's new series of "Chicks on Picks" where he features models from his paintings on guitar picks. They are well designed and are certainly one-of-a-kind for all of you guitar players (and collectors). To see my "Bored of Education" painting created by Dave Nestler click here.

"Kerry Connelly" threatens Dave (with a smile)


Nicole McClain and Tommy Castillo (DC Comics)

Be sure to keep an eye on Tommy. Expect nothing less than more artistic and detailed creativity from him in the near future. The latest version of Alice in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood, and BigFoot Meets Tommy are a few of my favorites.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Snowball Fight by Jimmy Fallon

More Merona ... Give Me Just A Little More Time

You've asked and I have them . . . Keep your eyes out for more shots from the Merona photoshoot. I'll be posting them soon ;) Here's one quick one for now.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Give Me Just A Little More Time by Chairman of the Board

Hunting Season 2007 - 2008

2007-2008 Deer Season

Archery Season: Open Statewide Antlered or Antlerless Deer
September 29 - February 3

Early Muzzleloader Season: Special Permit Required Wildcat Hollow, Salt Fork Wildlife Area, Shawnee State Forest

October 22 - October 27

Youth Gun Season: Open Statewide Antlered or Antlerless Deer
November 17 - November 18

Gun Season: Open Statewide Antlered or Antlerless Deer
November 26 - December 2
December 15 - December 16

Muzzleloader Season: Open Statewide Antlered or Antlerless Deer
December 27 - December 30

No more than seven (7) deer may be taken during the 2007-2008 season, no more than one (1) antlered deer may be taken per license year, and no more than two (2) deer may be taken per day.

From one deer hunter to another: Goodluck!

Nicole McClain in her tree stand setting up.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Who's That Girl by Madonna

Happy Halloween to You and Yours...

Every once in awhile it's ok not to dress up as the hott nurse for the Halloween party. October 31st is a time for family, to scare kids, and special effects. I hope your Halloween was every bit as safe as it was scary.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Read My Mind by The Killers

Giving Back - The Special Olympics Fund Raiser

Cheerleaders, videographers, bagpipes, the mayor, local businesses and a crowd full of family members, friends and residents filled the stadium to support Special Olympics and its athletes during the annual police versus fire department football game. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program. The police and fire departments are included in that special group of donors leading the community effort to raise more than nine thousand dollars this year from ticket sales, raffles, and donations.

I am honored to be a part of this event each year - not only to see my friends on the police department, but to witness the generosity and sportsmanship of the event - and to give more than my annual donation to Special Olympics. My role this year was that of a photographer. I enjoyed being on the 'other side' of the camera and catching my notorious up close and personal shots of not only the players, but the Special Olympics athletes as well (although I managed to pass the camera once or twice to get myself in some of the shots). The Special Olympics movement includes more than 2.25 million athletes who train and compete in 30 sports through more than 200 Programs in more than 160 countries around the world.

Would you like to help increase awareness and donate to Special Olympics? Click here to donate today.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Love Generation by Bob Sinclair

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

I'm pleased to announce the photoshoot for "Salem, AZ" has finally taken place! I want to thank all of you for your devoted interest and inquiries. I can't speak of my amazement or appreciation enough.

To give you more insight into the "Salem, AZ" project, where I am the lead character Kerry Connelly, I thought I would post some notes from Nik Havert (and of course pictures!) on the recent photoshoot. Sometimes the inside details give the best, and most fun, insight. As for the "Salem, AZ" Team? Let's just say I appreciate each of you for your time, efforts, support and for choosing lil' ol' me. ;)

Don't let the smirk fool you...

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

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Notes from Nik Havert:

Holy effing ess.

It's not every day I get asked to help dress a model, let alone a model dressed like a character I co-created with Paul Schultz.



I drove to meet with Nicole McClain and her photographer pal, Bruce Gates, to shoot "a discfull of photos" of Nicole dressed as Kerry Connelly - the lead character from "Salem, AZ." We had the entire costume, apart from the jacket, which Nicole forgot at home, but that didn't matter. She was stunning. The resemblance was uncanny. There is no other word for it.



Nicole had her replica .45 revolver. My good pal, Sherm, loaned me several of his Old West replica guns: a double-barreled shotgun, a Winchester rifle, two .45 revolvers with holsters, and two Josey Wales-style .44 revolvers. I also brought some stuff along for us to play with during the shoot: a huge Bowie knife, an old bullwhip, and a prop witch's broom from our Halloween decorations.



I got to be Nicole's dresser for the shoot, adjusting the spurs on her high heeled fetish shoes, tying down her .45's holster to her thigh, moving hair out of her eyes, and the like. She didn't have to twist my arm to do it, that's for sure, but it gave me a new appreciation for modeling. She was a trooper, and sweat it out under bright lights for two hours, often holding awkward positions and sometimes several heavy firearms while doing it. Some of the shots had her wearing a black wool serape while under the lights. I told her I'd buy her the biggest margarita she wanted after we were done, and she smiled and said that wasn't necessary. "This is what I do," she said, a consummate professional all the way.

We took almost four hundred photographs. I brought along two books on spaghetti westerns which featured many shots from various films and copies of vintage movie posters. We used a lot of these for certain poses and ideas. A personal favorite was a take on a Spanish poster for "For a Few Dollars More" in which Nicole is crouched and stepping on my outstretched arm and picking up my dropped revolver.

We did shots with and without witch hat, with and without gloves, and with and without serape. We did shots of her standing, crouching, and sitting (on an old wooden beer box). We did shots of her with one revolver, two revolvers, and three revolvers. We did shots of her with rifle, knife, bullwhip, and multiple handguns. It was a great time.



The whole session was video taped, and Nicole plans to put segments from it on YouTube and Myspace. We have many great shots that could be used for several covers, and enough for at least one pin-up book. Paul will have enough photo reference material to last him several issues. I plan on posting some of the photos after we get the new laptop PC.

In other Pickle Press news, Bill Messner-Loebs may have his artwork for "665 Mystery Road" finished by the time the Mid-Ohio-Con gets here. I've also sent in my table fee for that show, and Paul Schultz plans on being in attendance. I have a couple things I'd like to have published for the show, but I'll hold those details back for now in case they don't pan out by the time November 24th gets here. However, I will say that Nicole hopes to be at the show in costume, so that should be enough to get you to Columbus that weekend.

I plan on sending in my table fee for the Phoenix show soon. I'd like to have "Ninja Nympho Roommate" printed by then, as that show has a big manga-loving crowd and I think the book would sell like hotcakes there. Joe should have the inks done in a couple months, if all goes well.
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My special thanks to Bruce Gates and Richard's video (Web site coming soon) for making the shoot a smashing success!

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

Nicole McClain for Merona Jewelry

Fall is setting upon us which means raking leaves, Halloween and deer season. Here are the pics from the Merona jewelry photoshoot. This post has the added bonus many of you have been asking for... I'm happy to finally answer all of those emails and questions, "Are you ever going to have any videos?" YES. Check it out below. Thanks for your patience. ;)

A special thank you to Bruce Gates of the Art Factory and my videographer Richard's Video (Web site coming soon) for your wonderful work.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Kiss Me by Cassie Ft Ryan Leslie

Nicole McClain Muralized

Was it muralized or mesmerized? The results of this mural were uncanny and everyone that passed was pointing saying, "I saw your mural on the wall. It looks just like you. Even down to the highlights, it's you." I would laugh, smile and say thank you.

I forgot to sign the wall while I was there, but no worries Mitch, I'll be back to do that soon.

To check it out for yourself, visit Saddleridge in Pittsburgh (also catch a few pics of me in the slideshow). You can't miss it.

To order a custom mural for your business, home, event, or to view murals from Nicole McClain, visit my murals website by clicking here.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Bound By Love by Gran Bel Fisher