I don’t usually write a lot about my pieces but I really feel like this one needs a longer write out about it’s creation and the process from conception to birth. This is a commission for a friend who lost her best friend. She reached out to me and said,
“What I envision is a fantasy kind of portrait of David. The portrait I see in my mind is David going off on his next adventure. It is based off of a couple pictures and some of his signature clothing. I'm going to send you the pictures and tell you my vision, and please let me know your thoughts?
It is mostly based off of the pictures "davidcarousel" and "davidsalute." I envision David, instead of riding on a carousel horse, riding a unicorn. And instead of holding on to the unicorn with both hands, he is saluting with his right hand, while his left hand holds on. I see some kind of rainbow path stretched out in front of him - the path for his new adventure. I envision him wearing his pimp coat (shown in several of the pictures) and his black top hat with rhinestones (you can see it in a couple pictures, although they may not be super clear) He also wore a lot of shiny shirts, which I show in some pictures. That is something that doesn't necessarily need to be included, but could be if you think it would look good. He also really loved cats, and a couple friends suggested turning him into a cat. I don't think turning him into a cat makes sense at all, but maybe there is a way to have something cat in the picture? Like a constellation in the sky? A cat on the path? This is something I don't necessarily need included either, but figured it may be worth mentioning if you have an idea.”
At first, I had an “oh, shit moment” as most artists do and the inner saboteur started to say, “you can’t do that, you aren’t talented enough to do that, just write her back and tell her you aren’t the person for the job.” And then I sat down in meditation and found myself calling out to her friend, asking for his guidance. Lo and behold, he came through and stated, “I know we don’t know each other but I want you to know that you are the person for the job. Give her your signature bold colors.” As he flitted away, I opened my eyes and knew that I had to do it. When I came to my desk, I found little flecks of glitter surrounding my keyboard and mouse, which is odd because I haven’t used glitter in over 7 years in a different house. (I learned a long time ago working with kids in an after school art program that glitter is a nightmare to clean up and have avoided using it since.) Anyways, I found it odd that there was glitter there and after talking more with Heather, I found out that he loved glitter and I took this as further confirmation that I was the one to do this. And so I got to work, kinda…or at least went into the planning stages.
I put the project off for a week or so until late one Saturday or Sunday night when I just felt this push to get it done. Like it was imperative that the piece be finished before the day was up. And so I plugged away and finally around 11:30pm at night, I arrived at the final piece you see here. I immediately sent it to Heather and by the time she opened it, she was astounded at how beautiful it was and let me know that it would have been his birthday.
So fast forward through some printing and shipping issues (it was mercury retrograde after all), the piece made it to their intended recipients, David’s parents and his brother. All of them sent very heartfelt messages stating how beautiful it was and how much the loved it. Each of them said it meant so much to them and how it would hold a special place in their homes. It definitely made me tear up knowing that what started out as a commission of a complete and total stranger actually ended up being a walk on a healing journey with people I didn’t even know. The ripples the extended out into the world based on one of my pieces was a feeling I have never experienced before and reminded me of what ART is meant to do in the world: Heal. If there is any compliment I could ever get about my work it would be that someone was having a bad day, look at my art and felt a little better somehow. This project, without me even knowing it became something so much bigger and this is why art is more than a pretty picture on the wall.
Thank you Heather for your vision and trusting me to give it life. It truly means so much more than you could ever know. As artists, it’s very easy to never truly understand why it is we do what we do and become disheartened by it all. However, every so often, the muses offer us a glimpse into the meaning of it all. This project was just that that. It has instilled a bit of trust and faith in what I do and a big ole “fuck you” to the inner saboteur. Not only was a healing piece for those grieving the loss of a friend, brother, and son, but also a healing piece for a wounded artist…
So for those who knew David, I pray that this brings you a moment of peace and healing in your heart, and for those, like me, who never really knew David, I pray that this memorial reminds you to keep creating, keep living your most authentic life, and don’t be afraid of glitter every now and then.!
In love and light….
