Author Archives: erik - Page 2

Craddock Cookbook : Mississippi Mud Cake

Posted by erik on November 12, 2010 3 comments

Mississippi Mud Cake

2 sticks melted margarine
1 1/2 cup flour
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
4 ounces of coconut
1 1/4 cups of pecans
2 tablespoons of cocoa

icing:

1 large jar of marshmallow cream
1 pound of confectioners sugar
1/3 cup of cocoa
1/2 cup of melted margarine
1 teaspoon of vanilla

To make the cake, stir together sugar, cocoa, and flour. Add eggs, margarine, coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured 9X13 inch pan. (Use flour sparingly in pan or substitute sprinkle of cocoa) Bake at 350 degrees until done. Do not overcook – cake will be moist like brownies. Cool completely. Spread marshmallow cream on cake.

Mix the rest of the icing ingredients and spread over marshmallow cream. You may use half of the pecans for cake and the rest in icing if preferred.

Recipe requested by my niece, Glenda Craddock

Submitted by Ada Craddock Morris, Binger, Ok

Craddock Cookbook: Pumpkin Roll

Posted by erik on November 5, 2010 4 comments

Just in time for the holidays, I bring you the best Thanksgiving dessert known to man… The Pumpkin Roll. This recipe was submitted to the Cookbook by Viola Parham Craddock. Be sure to try this one out I PROMISE you won't regret it.

Pumpkin Roll

3 eggs
1 cup of sugar
2/3 cup of pumpkin
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
3/4 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon of ginger
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of chopped nuts (optional) – (Erik's comments — not really optional imo)
1 cup of powdered sugar
4 tablespoons of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Beat eggs 5 minutes. Add sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice and mix. Set aside.

Add flour, baking powder, salt and spices and mix with first ingredients.

Grease and flour cookie sheet. Pour batter in and sprinkle nuts over batter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle powdered sugar on dish towel. Turn cake out on towel and roll cake and towel together.

Let cool

Unroll cake and spread with mixture of 1 cup powdered sugar, 6 ounces of cream cheese, 4 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Roll back up and refrigerate.

Can be frozen

Viola Parham Craddock

Did I mention that this is the best holiday dessert that has ever existed? Let me know what you think of this recipe. Also I'd love to hear any recipes that you might have. Email me at connection@craddock.org with yours.

Craddock Pitch Tournament – October 2010

Posted by erik on October 31, 2010 4 comments

Was the Pitch Tournament setup with little notice to exclude potential contenders? Was it held in October right after the vacation season in an effort to leave those out who had already taken theirs? Or was it played on a Thursday right after work hours to ensure that anyone close by with a job was unable to attend? These are a few of the questions that beg to be answered. The biggest question in my mind is, will this years Pitch Champion have an asterisk next to his name? You be the judge.

These are but a couple of the controversies that happened before play even began much less some of the “fishy” situations that happened during the matches.

The story of the 2010 Craddock Family Pitch tournament begins innocent enough. On Sunday the 24th of October the first rumblings of possibly planning a pitch tournament begin but it’s not until Wednesday that an official date and time is set. The date of October the 28th is entered as a Facebook status with the time being set at 6pm. Not to be deterred by the short notice, long distance, awkward day and lack of vacation I convince my employer to let me attend this important event. It is hard to describe the satisfaction I felt when I saw the astonished looks on the other competitors faces when they learned that I had overcome their roadblocks and was going to compete. How naive I was. As I look back at what happened the conspiracy that must have been brewing for months becomes crystal clear.

The Older Generation stacked the cards in their favor from the get go.

Let us go over the evidence by first evaluating who attended.

Joe and Debbie Craddock (Binger, Ok) – Hosts
Larry and Samie Craddock (Anadarko, Ok) – a couple of months from retirement
Ada Morris (Binger, Ok) – retired
Lonnie Craddock (Ft. Cobb, Ok) – retired
Dan and BJ Craddock (Ft. Cobb, Ok) – retired
Ansel Finley (Anadarko, Ok) – retired
Clifford Nath (Anadarko, Ok) – retired
Sue Ann Upchurch (Anadarko, Ok) – retired
JW and Viola Craddock (Apache, Ok) – retired
David and Gay Craddock (Lake Panasoffkee, Fl) – retired
John Morris (Binger, Ok)
Josh Morris (Hinton, Ok)
Leesa Morris (Binger, Ok)
Erik Craddock (Fort Worth, Tx)
Nathan Craddock (Fort worth, Tx)

Is it a coincidence that most of the attendees don’t have any more to do on a Thursday than a Saturday? Some of us would not be deterred. My brother and I took vacation time and drove the 3 to 4 hour drive. We were fatigued from travel but made it anyway. The other non retired players made it despite a full day of back breaking labor. Leesa was forced to find last minute care for her children which must have been highly stressful on such short notice. You have to wonder if that was the plan from the beginning. Was it scheduled so that any younger player would either have to drive hours on end or work a full day before competing?

Then we come to the rules of play. Each year the tournament rules are published ahead of time. They don’t really change much but sometimes there are tweaks to improve on items that slow down game play or increase fair play. For example, in the last few years it has become increasingly obvious that drawing the same partner over and over gives an unnecessary advantage or disadvantage depending on the quality of player that one may draw on multiple occasions. This has become a well established issue and in fact a player committed to writing a computer program to better handle the process of choosing who plays against who. It never happened. Who would have the better odds of repeatedly facing a bad opponent? The majority older crowd or the vast minority of younger players. Maybe Larry should also write a program to calculate those odds? What are the chances of that? On top of that there were no published rules and even how many games to be played wasn’t uttered until half way through the first match. Once when there was a question of a rule, the way it was handled was players (preoccupied by their own current game) voting during a match.

It was plain from the beginning that the odds were stacked against any of the younger competitors.

Despite the odds, one of our ranks rose above the shady play of the “retired” group of former pitch champions. If memory serves me every past pitch champion in the history of the tournament showed up for the competition. Of those past champions only I, Erik Craddock was born after 1955. Is it not suspicious that this group of ruthless pitch players were ALL able to attend. It just goes to show you that if you want any chance of competing with this “retired” group you have to be prepared to leap hurdles and dodge obstacles and that is just for the opportunity to play.

As I said though, one of the younger players rose to the challenge. He used all of the self control of a seasoned veteran to stay under the radar. While a couple of the other younger players were participating in the fine art of trash talk, John Paul Morris held his tongue and finally the weakness of the retired group’s conspiracy became clear. In an attempt to ensure that it would be easy to change the rules in their favor with a majority rules vote they had intentionally not been diligent in organizing the event. Unfortunately for them John used this to his advantage and we was able to win four straight matches before anyone noticed. Since the “official tally” was hidden between matches. However, the retired groups hand chosen champion was also undefeated.

In dramatic fashion the last round of pitch matches came down to two games. John and Gay vs Lonnie and Ada played at table B. David and Larry vs Ansel and Samie played at table D. John was ahead of David in total points by a measly one point. All indications were that David would win his second pitch championship in as many years. A feat that has only been accomplished one other time by Lonnie Craddock. Was it fair that John was teammates with his only rival’s wife? Is it suspicious that John and Gay lost that match after he had won so many matches before that? As it turns out it didn’t matter. Despite every reasonable mistake that could be made by Ansel and Samie and even going set while winning 19 to 12, the pitch gods wouldn’t allow David to win I’m sure as a punishment for the attempted treachery.

Overcoming all odds, utilizing wit, self control and a mastery of the game of Pitch, John Paul Morris won the 2010 Craddock Family Pitch tournament.

If you remember these events differently I challenge you to come forward and clear the air. Everyone please congratulate John for his super human performance by commenting below.

Erik Van Craddock

Craddock Cookbook: Oklahoma Corn Bread Dressing

Posted by erik on October 29, 2010 1 comment

Due to popular request we are going to start publishing recipes from the Craddock Cookbook as well as other recipes that are sent in to connection@craddock.org. Today’s recipe was requested by Bill Craddock.

Oklahoma Corn Bread Dressing

1 stick oleo
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 large recipe corn bread (cold), crumbled
8 slices wheat bread, toasted and cubed
2 Table spoon sage (more or less to your taste)
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon pepper
5 eggs, slightly beaten
6 to 8 cups of broth (drain from turkey or broil a chicken earlier)

Melt oleo in iron skillet. Saute onion and celery until tender, but not brown. Add this mixture to corn bread, bread, and all other ingredients. I add about half the broth; mix to see if more broth is needed. I like it rather juicy, so it won’t be so dry after baking. Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes to 1 hour in greased flat pan.

Rosalee Finley Nath, daughter of Aubrey and Fay Finley, Blanchard, Ok

Have you used this recipe before? What was your experience? Do you have any suggestions for a recipe to feature either from the Craddock Cookbook or your own cookbook? Send them to us at connection@craddock.org.

Recollections: The 1st Craddock Pitch Tournament

Posted by erik on October 27, 2010 5 comments

The 1st annual Craddock Pitch Tournament. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a milestone in my life. After years of nagging, begging and complaining I was finally allowed to play pitch with the adults. I was convinced that I was going to show them all. I was confident that at 15 I had what it took to not only play with the big boys but also to win it all. I suffered their condescending laughs and mock words of support with dignity and grace. I was however unprepared for the level of resistance against me, every partner I had that day intentionally threw the game in an obvious attempt to hold me down. Despite the ruthless opponents I faced, I still managed to win a few matches entirely alone with only my superior pitch skills to aid me.

In honor of the upcoming Craddock Pitch tournament being held in Binger, Oklahoma at Joe and Debbie Craddock’s house, tomorrow 10/28/2010 at 6 pm, I am publishing the first hand report written by my father Larry Craddock. The following was published in the original Craddock Connection newsletter in July 1989.

Fool’s Gold

In Quest of the coveted Craddock Cup

(Although this heartbreaking story was written from one man’s perspective, you will soon realize that many fall into the same deviously conceived trap ……….)

It was mid-morning when they started pulling in, one by one with solemn determination hidden behind their anxious smiles. The humidity was high and it was obvious that it would be hot and sultry for the two day contest of wit and courage. Once again it was time for the ‘Hilltop Pitch Tournament’ but this time there was the coveted ‘Craddock Cup’ to contend for.

When all the contestants had stated their intent to compete, either by attendance or telephone, I explained the rules of the contest. We would play partners but only by random draw. Each game we would draw for partners again with the winners of the previous game guaranteed a draw for the next game. It seemed fitting that the luck of the draw should play some part in a contest that already demanded so much skill. (Anyway, I never knew where all the players would be at any given time, so I couldn’t schedule an equal number of games with each contestant!)

Tension was at a peak as the players huddled around the table for the first draw. As that game began, the remaining contestants went to the second table to draw for another game. Oh sure, I had heard the boasts that “the Cup would never leave the hill” and “foreigners can’t just come to the hill and take the Cup”. In fact, I had even made them myself, never realizing that technically I didn’t live on the hill. But the “Hilltop Gang” never forgot that! It was around 2:00 p.m. Saturday before the first games got underway and everything seemed normal at the start. Everyone was laughing and talking as usual. Those that weren’t playing pitch were cuttin’ up, playing guitars and such. Everyone was munchin’ on stuff and drinking coffee, lots and lots of coffee.

It took twenty games to qualify with the most games taking the trophy. It takes a long, long time to play twenty games of pitch with that many people competing. At first it was all pretty even. You know, you win a few, you lose a few. But time passes quickly when you’re having fun and anyone who was there knows that the “Hilltop Gang” made sure there was plenty of that to go around. That and coffee, lots and lots of coffee. It never dawned on me or any of the other victims how late it was getting. Some, like Larry Morris, had dropped everything and driven hundreds of miles when they found out it was time for the competition to begin. Roger Morris was so preoccupied with arranging the fishing tournament rules that he couldn’t think straight from the beginning. Onis was so anxious that he had been up since about4:00 a.m. Dan had been up fishing all night the night before. Paul was so confident and unsuspecting that he was just caught unaware. It was so sad. Erik, (my son) was exhausted from playing guitar all night. And Joe, he was still trying to figure out if a 6 ounce can of sardines at 89 cents is a better buy than a 10 ounce can at $1.39. Most of them never had a chance, they were mentally exhausted by the time they arrived and by midnight they were bidding 5′s on a trey and an off-Jack. Me, well just because I had double pressure as the organizer of this contest and had previously just completed several tasks that would have fatigued a normal person, well I’m not making excuses. I was just another victim. J.W. and Carl however, they were very relaxed and calm. It was as if they knew something the rest of us didn’t. It was a pathetic sight, an endless barrage of brow-beating, sweat-popping games. But the coffee just kept right on coming, lots and lots of coffee.

Twenty games sounded reasonable to me, at least it did at first. However, as the evening passed and I realized we would have to play hard and long just to get twenty games in, I recalled that the number twenty had been suggested to me by one of the “Gang”. What a fool I’d been. Suckered into their own devious, diabolical plot. They knew we had all been cutting down on coffee. They knew that we’d have to play late to get in twenty games. They knew that coffee would seem to be our only chance. And they also knew that we would all end up on a caffeine high that would make us nervous and desperate enough to bid ‘em up on 9 high hands. What we didn’t know was that they’d been drinking five to six times as much coffee as a normal person for a year now. Just waiting for this time and sure enough, they executed their plan with precise, unmerciful determination. If you examine the scores of that hopeless contest, you’ll see that the “Gang” won most of their games late at night when everyone else was drinking coffee, lots and lots of coffee.

As ‘predicted’, the “Cup” didn’t leave the hill. J.W. took the “Cup” and Carl took the second place ribbon. (Just speculating but, I figure they planned on taking turns with the “Cup”, never thinking their plan would be revealed.) Don’t feel bad, we were all just victims of a precisely engineered plan. Perhaps if Reginald had been here he could have held his coffee with ‘em. Or maybe Lonnie could have just winged it with his incredible pitch skills. Leonard could have shamed them into confessing and I’m sure David’s keen perception would have detected the plot in time to call a recess until morning. Do I feel bad? Well as organizer of this extremely competitive event, I just wish I hadn’t fallen so easily into their plan. But, we’ll all be on guard next year for that coffee guzzlin’ “Gang”.

Until next year, sharpen up your pitch moves and drink coffee, lots and lots of coffee, so we can’t be fooled again.

Signed,

caffeine crazy Larry

Boy those were good times. I have a million memories of all of the pitch tournaments over the years. Most of them involve Uncle Joe bidding 5 with a 10 high while sitting directly across the table from me. I know its short notice but if any of you would like to come out and play tomorrow evening you are hereby invited to show up with only your pitch skills, some thick skin and a willingness to lose every game you play against me. Comment below with your best pitch tournament memories.

Erik Craddock

Recollections: Memories of Binger Hill

Posted by erik on October 25, 2010 No comments

Binger Hill is a special place. Half an acre of land at the top of the hill east of Binger, Oklahoma. It is situated straight across the highway from the water tower which proudly proclaimed Binger as the home of Johnny Bench. The faces have changed dramatically but the place is almost unchanged from my first memory of it over 30 years ago. Tessa Wilson is the daughter of Lynne Morris McCafferty who is the daughter of Ada Morris Craddock. Her description of the Binger Hill, which is the home of her grand parents, brings back fond memories of the place that helped define the lives of hundreds of family members including myself.

Erik Craddock

Some of my fondest memories as a child were visiting my Grandma Ada, Grandpa Carl and the rest of the clan. Visiting them was the perfect mixture of southern charm and a sense of belonging, no matter if you were blood relation or not.

I remember the warm summer days were spent playing outside with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I was one of the youngest and I followed them all around like a lost puppy but they were all very patient with me. They would answer all of my unending questions. To me it was an adventure to just be with them. They showed me that you didn’t need all the “new” and “cool” things to have fun or be accepted because with them you were accepted just the way you were and that having everything you wanted didn’t make you better. They taught me how to use my imagination and they definitely taught me how to hone my brilliant wit and sarcasm.

My favorite time would be in the evenings when everyone would get out their guitars and sing. I would sit enthralled by the magnificent harmony they would create. It was as if all time had frozen and all of life’s worries and stresses would melt away. I just wish that my children were able to know these same feelings and memories because something this special and rare should be shared and cherished by all.

Tessa Marie Wilson

I had the chance to visit the hill a few weeks ago and I’m happy to report that there were kids running around all over the place. They were getting into the same kind of mischief that we got into when we were kids. My only regret is that I don’t make it over there more often. What are your memories of Binger Hill? If you never had the chance to visit, where is that special place that you visited as a kid? Please comment below or email us at connection@craddock.org.

Featuring : Daylin Farrow

Posted by erik on October 21, 2010 2 comments

Please welcome Daylin Farrow to the Craddock Connection. Daylin is the son of frequent Craddock Connection contributor Lynne Morris McCafferty who is the daughter of my Aunt Ada Craddock Morris.

Where were you born?
I was born in Oklahoma City, OK on July 23, 1977.

Where did you grow up?
I moved around a lot growing up. I lived in various towns in Oklahoma. If I can remember right, they are as follows; Binger OK, Alva OK, Holdenville OK, Thomas OK, Weatherford OK, Aberdeen SD

Where did you attend school?
I went to the 1st through the 5th grade in Alva OK, 6th Grade in Holdenville OK, 7th Grade in Thomas OK, 8th and 9th Grade in Weatherford OK, 10th Grade in Binger OK, 11th Grade in Alva OK, and 12th Grade in Aberdeen SD.

What can you tell us about your immediate family?
I am married to Shawnda Kay Farrow from Woodward OK. We have 3 beautiful children ages 11 (girl), 13 (boy), and 16 (girl). We live in the country in N.E. Oklahoma just outside of Tulsa. My wife is a full time student at NSU and the kids go to a small town school in Kellyville. I work at the Port of Catoosa as a Machinist. When we aren’t going to school and working we enjoy spending time together. We love watching the kids in all their activities such as cheerleading, basketball, football and band.

How far back do you know your family history?
The furthest I can think of about my family is Grandma Lucille in Binger OK. We used to drive her crazy playing on this old beat up rusted bus in the back of her house. We would climb on top of the bus and get up in the tree that was hanging over it and jump back of it down on the bus. She was always getting on to us for that.

If I asked your best friend what they liked about you, what would it be?
Humorous. I’m always trying to make people laugh. Sometimes I take it a little to far with the pestering though. I love to tease people.

Tell us about your business.
I started by growing up with dogs and other animals. I developed a passion for them later on in life and began training them. I trained German Shepherd dogs for the sport of schutzhund and when I wasn’t training my own dogs I enjoyed helping others train theres. I than began focusing more attention on breeding quality dog to do the work required for schutzhund. After years of training and breeding I decided to turn my attention to the pet products and supplies market. I decided to sale pet products and supplies. I began working on a website to offer pet products and supplies ( http://www.petprousa.com ) It is a full line pet store for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, fish and other small animals. We carry nearly 19,000 products including top name brand foods and treats. It’s been a chore getting all these products online and I hope that all the hard work will pay off.

What is something about you that would surprise most people?
I’ve turned my life to God. With the crazy things I’ve done and the foolish ideas I’ve had, i believe this would be the last thing people would have thought.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I hope that in 10 years I’ll have made enough money from my online pet store to open a retail location in Sapulpa, OK. I also look forward to spending time with my kids and enjoying life with my wife and other family members.

If you or someone that you know would like to be featured, please email me at connection@craddock.org and we will make it happen.

Craddock Lore – Caratacus

Posted by erik on October 18, 2010 4 comments

The origins of the name Craddock go back to ancient times. Craddock, Craddick, Cradoc, Caradoc and Caradog are all alternate spellings of the ancient Celtic name Caratacus which meant “Love”. The first bearer of the name in recorded history was a British chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe in Britain probably near present day Wales. He was the son of the British King Cunobelinus who was killed by the Romans.

Caratacus and his brother Togodumnus faced the Roman invasion of 43 CE but were defeated by the 40,000 Roman troops that landed in Britain lead by Aulus Plautius. Outnumbered and beaten decisively in two battles, in which the second claimed the life of his brother Togodumnus, Caratacus refused to surrender or back down in any way. Instead he changed tactics and began a guerrila war against his enemies. Attacking camps or supply lines at night and picking off any stragglers. He and his followers were able to resist the Romans this way for over 7 years until the constantly reinforced army finally closed in on him. He made his final stand at a location to be remembered as Caer Caradoc.

He gathered his men and selected a hill fort that made it easy to attack but hard for the Romans to retaliate. According to the Roman writer Tacitus:

“Caractacus, darted everywhere, telling his men that this battle would be the beginning of the recovery of their freedom or else of everlasting slavery. He recalled how their ancestors had driven back Julius Caesar, and through their bravery the British were freed from the threat of being ruled by the Roman military and government. While he was speaking, the warriors shouted applause; every warrior swore not to flee from weapons or wounds.”

Unfortunately, the Romans won the day with their superior armor and weapons. Caratacus was forced to flee. He escaped once again from the legions of soldiers intent on killing him. He sought refuge with the Brigantine tribe hoping to get their assistance in continuing the resistance but was betrayed by their Queen Cartimandua. She handed him over to the Romans in chains an action which enraged her people who rebelled against her soon afterwards.

Caratacus was carted off to Rome where typically the fallen leaders of far off enemies would be paraded through the city on their way to be executed. However this time it would be different. Due to his years of success and his brave resistance, Caratacus had become a legend for the people of Rome. The emporer wanted to meet this man who had so successfully fought against the Roman legions with his small guerilla army. Once he gained the audience of the Emperor Claudius, he by all accounts held his head high instead of bowing down as was the custom and spoke the following:

“Had my moderation in prosperity been equal to my noble birth and fortune, I should have entered this city as your friend rather than as your captive; and you would not have disdained to receive, under a treaty of peace, a king descended from illustrious ancestors and ruling many nations. My present lot is as glorious to you as it is degrading to myself. I had men and horses, arms and wealth. What wonder if I parted with them reluctantly? If you Romans choose to lord it over the world, does it follow that the world is to accept slavery? Were I to have been at once delivered up as a prisoner, neither my fall nor your triumph would have become famous. My punishment would be followed by oblivion, whereas, if you save my life, I shall be an everlasting memorial of your clemency.”

Upon hearing this speech, the impressed Emperor pardoned Caratacus along with the rest of his family. They were allowed to live the rest of their lives in Rome to which Caratacus is quoted as saying “And can you, then, who have got such possessions and so many of them, covet our poor huts?”.

Caratacus was one of if not the first monarch to bear the name that has become Craddock but he was not the last and maybe not even the most famous.

Featuring: Brea Craddock Bursch

Posted by erik on October 13, 2010 2 comments

I would like to introduce everyone to Brea Craddock Bursch from the state of Washington. Brea is a wife, mother of two and very talented photographer. Brea was kind enough to answer a slew of my questions about her. She runs and operates CYE Photography. Be sure to check out her Photography Blog.

1. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where did you attend school?

I was born in Edmonds, WA. The first child to Elwin Jr. (Tom) and Becky Craddock of Mukilteo, WA. I have 2 siblings; a sister, Kirsten, and a brother Elwin III (Tommy). I grew up in Everett, WA and attended Mariner High School in Everett and the University of Washington in Seattle with a degree in Psychology/Sociology.

2. What can you tell us about your immediate family?

My husband is Jeffrey Bursch who is a Journeyman Sheet Metal worker with Local 66. I have 2 sons; Reiken Calvin aged 2.5 and Quentin Raymond age 1. My sister, Kirsten, married my husband’s brother, Jason and they have 2 girls; Madison (5) and Lauren (1) who are double cousins to my boys. My father works in IT management and my mother works in the mental health arena as a caseworker. My brother, Elwin Thomas Craddock III, plays basketball for a local college.

3. How far back do you know your family history?

Not very far. I know that my paternal grandfather (Elwin Craddock Sr) had multiple siblings, maybe 6 or 7? He died when my father was 15, in 1974. I know that he served in the military and I believe originally resided with his family in Montana before coming to Washington. There are still some of my relatives in the Billings, MT area. One of my paternal grandfather’s siblings, Muriel (Craddock) Jones lived in San Jose, CA and there are multiple relatives in the Modesto, CA area whom I have met. She has since passed.

4. If I asked your best friend what they liked about you, what would it be?

My sense of humor! I love a good laugh and am completely willing to embarrass myself to get it!! This really helps out when photographing families and little kids… That tall, blonde, crazy woman singing silly songs and dancing in front of a confused toddler with camera in hand in a public park? Yep. That’s me. Anything for a good photo!

5. How and when did you become a photographer? Tell us about your business.

I started my business just over 2 years ago. I’ve had an interest in portraiture since high school when I took a film photography class. After the birth of my first son, the desire to capture each and every moment I could took hold and I moved from a photography hobby into a photography obsession! I started a photography company called CYE Photography. The ‘CYE’ stand for Completely Yours Events (&) Photography.

I want everyone to have beautiful photographic art of their family, their most precious posessions, in their home to look at every day! My focus is mainly on the experience of new life (maternity, newborn), children and families. I do a handful of weddings/engagements each year as well. My most recent work is available on my photography blog and my main website can be found here: www.cyephotography.com. Stop on by and enjoy the view!

6. What is something about you that would surprise most people?

I need to be alone to recharge. I think I am really an introvert at heart. Don’t get me wrong, if I am around a group of people I definitely am an extrovert, and very type A at that. But I can be a bit of a recluse sometimes and am happy to just stay at home for days on end. This is usually when I feel most creative and really get inspired for different types of photo sessions.

7. What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

Jeff and I hope to have another child, a daughter, to complete our little family. All the kidlets will be in school and I will have opened up my dream studio which will be built on our property and we will be pluggin’ along in joy. I also hope that we have finished a few missions trips… our first is this Spring in Cofradia, Mexico to build a home for a very deserving family!

Everyone please welcome Brea and her family. Meeting new family members is the reason I began this website in the first place. If you would like to be featured on the Craddock Connection please email me at connection@craddock.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

Featuring: Erik Charles Edward Craddock – Part 3

Posted by erik on September 28, 2010 No comments

In Part I we learned about Erik and his family. In Part II we learned that creating cartoons isn’t all fun and games… well to us anyway, it actually seems like fun and games for him. In Part III, we learn a little more about the man behind the sinister grin and his future plans of world domination.

What is something about you that would surprise most people?

That I am who I am. I actually keep pretty quiet about what I do, despite how much of a showman I appear to be on my websites and in my work. In reality, odds are that you probably wouldn’t know I’m in the same room as you unless somebody pointed me out (although, if you slip me a drink or two, or start up a conversation with me, that changes right away…).

Also, at one point, I was studying to be a serious photo-realistic Illustrator. I was inspired by the works of Wayne Douglas Barlowe, Boris Vlajello, and Frank Frazetta/Ken Kelly, and wanted to work as a Cover Illustrator/Sci-Fi Illustrator. However, it was in college that I had learned to really embrace Cartooning.

Although at the time, making the decision to give up Illustration to pursue Cartooning as a career was a very tough one to make. But my folks and my friends all played a crucial role in this decision, because all of them encouraged me to follow my dreams, and not a paycheck.

Please understand that the reason for my hesitation was because the world of comics was a much different world, back then. The current comics market is nothing like the comics market of ten years ago. Ten years ago, men in tights (complete with bulging muscles and horrid constipation) dominated the market, and work like mine was considered “fringe” and “underground” at best. We were the zerox copies nobody was buying at the comic shops.

Back then, Cartooning was considered a “low art”, and was thought of as disposable at best. The “high arts” of the time were Illustration and Animation. Illustration, by far, was the highest, as Illustrators were the best trained, the best paid, and most lauded. Animators were the runners up, and they were used for everything from commercials, to movies, to children’s cartoons. Then came Designers and Computer Animators, followed by Fine Artists, Sculptors, and Photographers, then Interior Designers, and finally Cartoonists… dead last. We were the low men and women on the artistic totem pole.

However, time has a funny way of changing things. Thanks to stock illustration & photography, overseas animation, CAD, rampant globalization, and in-house designers, the fields of Animation and Illustration, two fields that were the pillars of the industry for nearly a hundred years, were completely decimated in less than 3.

This left a rather large power vacuum in the art world, which Cartooning merrily filled up.

Now, ten years later, CARTOONING is considered THE high art. There are even several museums dedicated to it, and more art galleries than I can count (and I can count pretty high). And the ironic thing is my work, which was once considered underground, is now mainstream!

It’s absolutely amazing to me now how, looking back after all of these years later, things have worked out rather beautifully. Because if I had gone with the “sure bet”, then I’d probably be bankrupt and living under a bridge right about now. The saying is true: “He who dares, wins.”

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

Breathing oxygen and moving about on my own two legs, under my own free will.

Jokes aside, I really hope that I become a serious creative force in the field of entertainment, and that my talent is recognized on a global scale. I also hope that in ten years time, people learn to look at American Cartoonists the same way that they would look at a rock musician, or a playwright. It’s already beginning to happen (Scott Pilgrim, anyone?) and I just hope that public awareness and acceptance of the form, and those who practice it, continues to grow. I feel that it will because we’ve come a long way since Krazy Kat, Gasoline Alley, and the Katzenjammer Kids.

Please include anything you would like our readers to know about yourself that we failed to ask.

What? Besides my mutant healing ability, the fact that my bones are laced with pure Adamantium, or that I can’t be killed by conventional means? Nothing much, really. I just love doing what I do and I hope that as time marches on my work and the medium I work in continues to grow in both quantity and quality.