HEY!! Mr UPS is in the paper
Kjstudio
Here's the text of the article, I cant get the pics to show up tho...
Anywho, it's about his artwork:
**************************************************************************
St. Cloud artist shows essence of star athletes
The busy triathlete, father and delivery driver squeezes in time for his "gift"
-- art.
By Frank Carroll , Orlando Sentinel | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted March 17, 2002
Realism defines Ken Junkins' art, but his multi-tasking lifestyle is a sketch
in surrealism.
An overachiever, Junkins, 47, packages duties as a husband, father of two and
nationally ranked triathlete around a 60-hour workweek driving a United Parcel
Service truck.
Junkins' art evolved from doodling on church envelopes as a 4-year-old to a
fine arts degree from the University of Alabama nearly two decades later.
Refinement is evident in sports portraits of Danny Wuerffel, a former Florida
Gators quarterback, former Osceola High School running back Willie Green,
Longwood's Olympic triathlete Hunter Kemper and NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt.
All were created in a tiny studio in the family's St. Cloud home that his wife,
Cindi, terms "The Cave," a former den decorated with numerous athletic awards
and family photos.
"Some people are mechanics; some sing. Art is my gift," said Junkins of his
ability to capture shadows, color, lines, clarity and souls in pencil and oil.
Junkins' other gifts extend to baseball, football, wrestling, water skiing,
bicycle road races and triathlons, a grueling endurance sport that can stretch
to a 21/2-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon.
Water skiing was his sport after college. A one-time president of the Central
Florida Water Ski Club, he placed seventh in combined slalom, trick and jump
skills at 1984's American Water Skiing Association Southern Regional.
Burned out, and not just by the sun after 10 years, Junkins stumbled into
triathlons by accident while making a 1985 delivery to an Orlando Magic
training center.
"They were registering and I signed up," he said.
A shorter, Olympic-style version, that triathlon had a mile swim, 25-mile bike
ride and 6-mile run, "the most miserable day of my life," Junkins recalls after
crossing the finish line 160th among 200 entries.
"I told myself I'd never do it again, but I was so humiliated, my competitive
nature got the best of me," he said. "Now I've got 85 behind me."
Junkins has never gone unprepared to another race.
"At the peak of training I'd bicycle 14 miles to work," he said.
By 1999, Junkins, sixth-ranked nationally in his age group (45 to 49),
qualified for the prestigious Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. Competing in tandem with
Kissimmee Dr. Chris Chappel, his friend and role model and another nationally
ranked triathlete, Junkins placed 56th, timed in 10 hours, 37 minutes, only 21
minutes slower than a personal-best clocking he had run seven years earlier.
'He's an animal'
"He's an animal," said Orlando Sentinel columnist and road racing competitor
Mike Thomas of Junkins' untiring, gritty determination.
Junkins' wife of 17 years and daughters, Kristyn, 15, and Kellie, 12, share in
his success.
"If not for their support I couldn't do any of this," said Junkins, whose
competitive streak began early growing up near Hueytown, Ala., neighbor and
NASCAR legend Bobby Allison.
At 14, Junkins pitched Hueytown to a Dixie Youth League World Series
championship. In high school, he lettered in baseball, football and wrestling
before gaining a roster spot with Alabama's Crimson Tide as a baseball pitcher.
Daniel Moore, an Alabama classmate, influenced Junkins' realistic style. A
painting of the Tide's goal-line stand against Penn State in the 1979 Orange
Bowl is an early work of the multi-millionaire Moore.
Junkins took his degree to the business world as a graphic artist, a job he
soon left because of a perceived lack of challenge.
"What they say about starving artists is true," his wife said. "We need
benefits and a steady income. That's how Ken ended up as a truck driver."
Friends are befuddled by Junkins' time management skills.
"He gets every minute out of every day," says his wife.
"I look at what I do as if I have a mountain of dirt to move and only a spoon
to move it with," Junkins said. "It may take me forever, but as long as I keep
moving that spoon, eventually that mountain will move."
Rising about 4:30 a.m., Junkins jump-starts a 60-hour workweek with prayer,
Bible study and quiet time. The next hour goes to sketching in pencil or
painting in oil. A brisk 60-minute workout with weights, running and/or cycling
follows.
A long workday begins at 8:50 a.m.
More training -- cycling, running or swimming -- is a lunchtime appetizer. When
the route is completed and the company truck is parked at the dock, Junkins
heads home for an 8:30 p.m. dinner. His family gets the next hour. Junkins will
peek at the Discovery or Biography channels before turning in at 10:30 p.m.
Then there are the long training swims that are part of triathletes' regimen.
He swims in Lake Toho
"I'll swim to the middle of East Lake Tohopekaliga and back," he said.
Those marathon swims sometimes consternate those unaware of Junkins' ability.
"I once was met by a rescue boat, firetrucks, police chief and dive team after
some fishermen thought I'd gone down in very choppy water," he said.
Weekends are better. Junkins sleeps until 6:30 a.m. then devotes four to eight
hours to his art. He still finds time for his commitment to Cornerstone Baptist
Church, where he is a lay pastor eager to work with teenage members.
Training put on back burner
A rugged training schedule has been put on a back burner for 2002, a concession
to a needy family, which now has a boat to unite it for weekend excursions on
nearby lakes. He may even find time to finish work on a new studio, a concrete
slab in the back yard that for the past eight years has been a neighborhood
basketball-skating court.
Retirement, still a good 10 years distant, is when he wants to devote more time
to his art. He may even take it on the road to shows around the country.
"I'm tickled that people want to buy my work," he said.
Originals -- $800 for the Earnhardt portrait that hangs in a gallery in the
West Oaks Mall in Oviedo -- may be out of reach for some, but Junkins thinksthe
numbered, autographed prints ($30 unframed and $85 framed) are bargains.
Black-and-white prints are done locally by Gary's Printing in St. Cloud. Color
pieces are sent to Dayton, Ohio, all with the thought of making them affordable
for those who appreciate his art.
"I want people to feel like they're getting a bargain," he said.
Buyers warm to Junkins' art once they learn he is an everyday guy who drives a
truck to support his family. Junkins can be reached at KJSt...@aol.com or
_________________________.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
**~Cindi~**
kdo711
Monique
<font color=#CC0000></font color>
Bzpta2
wife,
Cindi, terms "The Cave," a former den decorated with numerous athletic awards
and family photos.>>
Cin, what a wonderful article. I know you are proud and he must be honored to
have a wonderful article written about him.
So, you are married to a Caveman,eh?
{S UPS
Lisa
Nettorfret
What a tribute ! Fantastic write up.....
>>>
Junkins' other gifts extend to baseball, football, wrestling, water skiing,
bicycle road races and triathlons, a grueling endurance sport that can stretch
to a 21/2-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon.
Water skiing was his sport after college. A one-time president of the Central
Florida Water Ski Club, he placed seventh in combined slalom, trick and jump
skills at 1984's American Water Skiing Association Southern Regional.<<<
Goodness gracious no wonder you have to call 911 !!!!
sorry, had to do it
;)
He IS amazing though !!!!!!!!! and damn not bad to look at too
<b><font color="#993366">Nettie</b>
<b><font color="#993333">For those who love, time is eternity.
~~Henry Van Dyke~~
Gamma51x
mailbox will probably be full now with the e-mail addy listed.
Gail
No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.
Kar00710
...Kar
TheGoochie
THLCCL
GO HEN!
**Kate**
Kjstudio
He is quite a guy, I'm very blessed. I'm just so darn proud of his artwork and
I'm HOPING this will generate some business!!!
We're getting a website in a few months so maybe that will help too.....
**~Cindi~**
Suz
Suz
Happy thoughts are messengers of the heart.
Pudgey3
>
>
Poop! I didn't get this, would some one please send me the link?
Pudge
I intend to live forever - so far so good.
.
Katie
Wow, Cindi, what a GREAT article! Since I've known you for 6 years and have
always known how active Ken is, I think after reading this, I have a new found
respect for him. Amazing, truly amazing. I still would really be interested
in a print of Earnhardt for Rick if he still has any left....
<b><font color=#1E90FF>~*~Katie~*~</font color>
<font color=#FF1493>Though you cannot go back
and start again,
You can start from now and
have a brand new end.
EvieC123
OOPSIE....<eg>
Seriously, what pride you must have in Ken, Cindi. How exciting for you all!
:) :) :)
*~Evie~*
Dan
I didn't see it either.
Stolynn
(note:...I'm reading this article and thinking...the perfect man, the perfect
man <g>)
<b><font color="#FF0000">Lynn
U. <b><font color="#000080">S. <b><font color="#FF0000">A.
WhoDoVoodoo
>benefits and a steady income. That's how Ken ended up as a truck driver."
You didnt mention US. Goochie especially will be ticked she wasnt talked
about.
<g>
Sin
Stolynn
>You didnt mention US. Goochie especially will be ticked she wasnt talked
>about.
oh ..I'm sure they wanted to talk a little more about Cindi..but they didn't
think talking to ax murderers was a nice hobby
TheGoochie
about.
<g>>>
I noticed..It hurts...I must move on~~~~~
Katie
>
>I didn't see it either.
>
Dan, you have mail.....
Sackley3
nancy
Maria T3
Cindi, that was a wonderful article about your husband. Thanks for sharing.
I'm going to try and find a link to see the picture.
~ Maria ~
"And in the end
It's not the years
in your life that count.
It's the life in your
years."
Abraham Lincoln
Nettorfret
I tried and couldn't find anything
:/
Let me know if you do.
Kjstudio
>in a print of Earnhardt for Rick if he still has any left....
Trust me, we have PLENTY!!
I'll email ya the specifics Katie!!
**~Cindi~**
Kjstudio
>wow...I think you're going to be rich after this article...the hell with
>Ebay.
>
Uhhhhhhhh, NO
>
>(note:...I'm reading this article and thinking...the perfect man, the perfect
>man <g>)
>
and ANTOTHER NO LOL
**~Cindi~**
TahoeCZ
>:/
>Let me know if you do.
>
Me either! But Congrats,
Cindi**
:)
Carol
Reruns76
I get up at 4:30am everyday too! I have been thinking that I might like to
have a UPS man. Does he eat much?
Katie
>I'll email ya the specifics Katie!!
>**~Cindi~**
>
Thanks, Cindi***
CarolCorb
>
Cool off with Shenandoah :)
Carol
CarolCorb
so many talented people selling their artwork and pottery and jewelry.
Carol
Kjstudio
>have a UPS man. Does he eat much?
>
YES.
Alot.
He burns alot of calories each day and he's an eating machine.
You might want to check the newer model UPS men tho..they might be
better....LOL
**~Cindi~**
Kjstudio
paper....?
This morning the link had the article with the pic, now it's just the article.
Hmmmmm
**~Cindi~**
MALCOLM102
{{{{Cindi}}}} {{{{Ken}}}}
What a nice article!! Congratulations to the whole family!!
Priscilla
I will learn that to be rich
is not to have the most,
but to need the least.
WhoDoVoodoo
>better.
I know the one that delivers to my store is ADORABLE. The ladies always let me
go open the door for him<g>
Can do a funny Japanese accent, too.
Sin
Cherylb382
printed it out to show Dave!!!!
Congrats to you all!!!!
Cher
Nettorfret
You might want to check the newer model UPS men tho..they might be
better....LOL
**~Cindi~**
<<
(g) I have a funny little Italian guy, doesn't look like he eats much, I could
ask ?
SmileSign
hmm now if he does Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon....i'd be interested......
--SmileSign
Sea si
Neither did I but congrats to your husband making the paper, Cindi. :)
Lupe
~Laughter can be more satisfying than honor; more precious than money;
more heart-cleansing than prayer~
JO
I didnt get it either :(
Mdi
May God Bless you and Keep you. May his arms wrap around you and give you
strength......
JO
ahhh Goochie LOL
Kjstudio
During his peak training he cycles 24 miles ONE WAY to work, not 14 miles LOL
so it's like 48 miles a day to work. His training partner called here cracking
up at the 14 miles..."whoowee Ken, you must be sooooooo tired riding those 14
miles"
:P
**~Cindi~**
Maria T3
>
>so it's like 48 miles a day to work.
"He's an animal"
<g>
Nettorfret
so it's like 48 miles a day to work.<<
acccccck
I keel over doing 2 to 3 miles !!!
SmileSign
good thing you guys don't live in snow country...now THATS a work out on bike
or foot.....
--SmileSign
Kjstudio
>good thing you guys don't live in snow country...now THATS a work out on bike
>or foot.
you got THAT right, Chris...!! All he has to worry about here is getting rained
on all the time and the occasional smart ass who likes to swerve and see how
close he can come to hitting Ken with his car!!
**~Cindi~**
Pestus2
>
>I didnt get it either :(
>Mdi
Neither did I. : (
Pestus
My mind not only wanders...sometimes it completely leaves
Kjstudio
**~Cindi~**
Reruns76
Awww... thats nice :)
Keep us posted.... esp. if you need someone to call 911.
Nettorfret
Awww... thats nice :)
Keep us posted.... esp. if you need someone to call 911.<<
PFFFFFFTTTTttttt
LOL !
Pudgey3
>close he can come to hitting Ken with his car!!
AND--the occasional SNAKE in the road, not to mention gator! I remember Florida
very well.
Pudge
I intend to live forever - so far so good.
.
Dan
occasional smart ass who likes to swerve and see how
>close he can come to hitting Ken with his car!!
Around here they throw stuff at you....you have to be careful.
Cy
That was a great story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. :)
Cy :)
Susan
<font color="#800080"></font><font color="#800080">
Phebes </font> <font color="#0000FF">
The earth has music for those who listen.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
</font>
Imndano
>
Ya know HE COULD make a girl change her spots ya know?
I think he is gonna be my Tom Cruise, not sex mind ya, just cut my lawn & bring
me lemonade ;)
<B><Font Color="#FF0000"> Patti
These colors <Font Color="#000080">don't run.
Kjstudio
>>and being drop-dead gorgeous
>>
>
>Ya know HE COULD make a girl change her spots ya know?
>I think he is gonna be my Tom Cruise, not sex mind ya, just cut my lawn &
>bring
>me lemonade ;)
>
>
ROFLMAOOOOOOOOOO
WAIT till I tell him about THIS!
<g>
**~Cindi~**
Aplejack
>me lemonade ;)
tsk tsk, as if the UPS man isn't busy enough... lol
Cindi is one lucky woman.
AJ
Kjstudio
Yeah...but he doesnt EVER bring ME lemonade!!
LOL
**~Cindi~**
Pudgey3
>
>Cindi is one lucky woman.
>AJ
He's a lucky man ,too.By the way,Cindi, Judy printed out the article about Ken
and I'll put it with the framed print when I give it to Josh.That will make it
even more special.
Maria T3
>and I'll put it with the framed print when I give it to Josh.That will make
>it
>even more special.
What did you buy? Sounds like a special gift.
Katie
>and I'll put it with the framed print when I give it to Josh.
I did the same thing! Thought Rick would think that is pretty darn special!!
<b><font color=#1E90FF>~*~Katie~*~</font color>
<font color=#FF1493>If I had the whole world to write
on to express how much
I love you, it wouldn't all fit.
Kjstudio
>> Judy printed out the article about Ken
>>and I'll put it with the framed print when I give it to Josh.
Aw, how sweet of you all!
That's wonderful!
:) :)
**~Cindi~**
Pudgey3
The Dale Earnhardt print. It's so wonderful,even has #3 in it.I was just going
to get the print but when I saw what it looked like all matted and framed I had
to have that one.
Maria T3
>The Dale Earnhardt print. It's so wonderful,even has #3 in it.
The one I saw was fabulous!
Pestus2
Great gift!
Katie
>to have that one.
Me too, Annie !! It's gorgeous, isn't it? I'm giving it to Rick for his
birthday in June. I know he'll love it......
DITTO1292
I didn't see the story....but I seem to be missing several original posts and
just getting the replys..what is that all about????
DK ():-)
"Today, I will look at my mistakes with both compassion and honesty. I realize
my mistakes are human and are not grounds for rejection-by myself or by anybody
else."
Katie
>
>I didn't see the story..
I just emailed it to you, Donna.....