Blind Men DO See!

Finally! I got the call last night. After several days of frantic phone tag, my best friend Kristin announced that she was engaged!
In the Summer of 2007 I created the piece, Blind Men See (on the sidebar--oh, I know it is a horrible picture. Ironic that this picture got this piece into a juried show!) as an engagement gift from me to Kristin's boyfriend, Michael. Bold, I know.
Michael and I had several conversations that summer pertaining directly to the fact that EVERY one in the world (including the blind men) could see how much they were in love, except for him. I know that love can make you blind (and deaf and dumb and stupid) but without it, I am not sure why the world should continue to spin. This piece was supposed to be Michael's wake up call. I sent it from a juried show in Houston, Texas to Charleston, South Carolina--Michael's current residence.
But Kristin got nervous. The painting was left boxed and hidden in the back of a closet. And like all good things, hard questions were asked. And time went by.
All the quotes on this piece come from my romantic collection. Where my heart really beats. Songs and quips gathered from my readings and movie watchings and listening to bands in smokey bars. Jonathan Raymond and David Wojnarowicz write the most touching and beautiful words I have ever read in their book, The Half Life. I am thankful I finally created a piece worthy of their writing. I think, deep down, these are all the words I wish someone would say to me. I was just trying to give the words to someone else that could really use them--like Michael.
Earlier this week, while celebrating their anniversary of their real first date (Pittsburgh Pirates verus Chicago Cubs in PNC Park was their first non real date in September 2005), my best friend of twelve years was proposed to by my former McLanahan's Deli customer (corned beef EVERY DAY! at 11:15am) Michael. What started as nice conversation about mustard or mayo. . .by paying attention to the people around me. . . .has now provided a link for eternity. . . .
Meet me at the deli. I think we all need some corned beef to celebrate!
Congrats Kristin and Michael! I love you both more today than yesterday.

Julie's Coffee

Kevin Bacon has the strong hold on six degrees of separation. . . .in State College, Pennsylvania, there are really only three degrees of separation. That is just how it works here. I don't know if it is because this is my hometown. . . but I am sure that helps. You can never get too far away from anyone. This can be bad or very good.
This summer I met Brit. She is married to my friend Jordan who is a friend of my friend Clay (did you get all of that?). Brit is an amazingly talented artist who sets up shows (in her spare time) for other artists at local restaurants, coffee shops and gallery spaces. Brit was at Clay's house and saw one of my pieces that I did for him last year. When I met her on the concourse of the ballpark at a State College Spikes game, she connected my art work with me. . . her usher.
Oh, the weavings of a small town.
She had an artist cancel on her so she asked me if I was interested in showing my work in Williamsport--a town about an hour down the road. I said, "Of course." And several weeks ago I installed (along with great help from my parents! Thank you!) my latest work in Julie's Coffee Shop close to the corner of Market and Third Street. If you get arrested in Williamsport, know that Julie's Coffee is RIGHT across the street from the court house. Handy!
I'll be up in Julie's until the middle of October. Stop by if you are close!