Random Thoughts
Last January I had a stroke. Shortly before that I found out
I had several others. At that time my right hand started acting strange. So I
tried doing a painting to see if I still could. That ended up being “Who are
the Quick and the Dead.” After the larger one I tried another painting, a large
one of myself. I had told my wife that I wanted to get looser in my painting.
The work is looser but now I see that I also want the control. It’s a little
scary to try to paint now, but it will only get better if I do. I am thankful
that my wife, Patsy, made a good decision in the course she took and I know
that it was not an easy one. I love her and know how much she loves me even if
I don’t always show it.
I thank all who did exhibits of my work, even when it wasn’t
the most recent. Lara dragon for doing a retrospective titled “This Was Now”
Nicole Royce for including me in the “Celebrity” exhibit, Fred Tieken for
putting me in the inaugural show at the new Tiegen Gallery, and to Randy Slack
for including me in the “Sweet 16 Chose Theory”. It was a busy autumn. Though I
only sold at Tiegen so far, at least it was seen. In all I have sold more than
van Gogh did in his life. And I’ve been included in galleries that featured
Pattie Boyd and Linda McCartnry.
Thinking back, I used to do paintings about death. They were
sometimes unreadable. I didn’t really think that much about what I was saying.
Death has become more close to me now. I have lost both of my parents and I
came close myself, almost a year ago. As a friend of mine said, “I don’t mind ding;
I just don’t want to hurt.” I can relate to that. The life we have is actually
quite short, which becomes clearer as the end gets closer, more noticeable as
time runes out. I hope this isn’t too depressing. Just trying to say do what’s
important while there is time. Really search for the importance.
I Did do a painting not to long ago when both my wife’s and
my mother were both thinking about ding, not wanting to be on dialysis any
longer. Originally I was going to do something different with me standing
behind an empty chair, but then decided to use a Photo my wife took of me in
Venice at the French pavilion. I did change the face (Looking sideways) and the
background.
The French Pavillion
I did get to go to France for the fourth time this last
summer. For a while it seemed not so, but in the end we went. Didn’t get to
Spain as I Hoped but thanks to a friend and Patsy’s sister we went. Didn’t get
to visit all the paces I hoped to but had a good time just the same. It was
nice to spend some time in Arles and see the van Gogh drawing exhibit. We did
get to the Orangerie in Paris too. Hope to get back soon.
