Paul Lewing on mon 18 oct 04
I had a conversation with someone at a show this last weekend that I just
had to share.
I've done so many tile commissions and made so many pots over the years that
it's not unusual for someone to come into the booth and tell me they live
with my work and that it means a lot to them. I love these stories, but I
got a unique variation on the theme this time.
A guy asked me if it was I who had done the mural at Fremont Canal Park here
in Seattle. This is a tiny, secluded park, basically just a ramp from a
railroad grade down to the shore of the Ship Canal. It mostly consists of a
small shelter that looks much like a bus stop, with an area of decking in
front, and a bench you can sit on to watch the boats go by. The back wall
of the shelter is a concrete panel with a tile landscape painting that I did
about 1980.
When I said it was indeed mine, he said, "I slept on that bench almost every
night for seven months, when I was homeless. I'd lie there and look at the
mural and wonder about the guy who painted it. I recognized your name from
all those nights of seeing your signature".
Wow! That was a new one. It sure made me count my blessings.
Paul Lewing, Seattle
Kate Johnson on tue 19 oct 04
> When I said it was indeed mine, he said, "I slept on that bench almost
> every
> night for seven months, when I was homeless. I'd lie there and look at
> the
> mural and wonder about the guy who painted it. I recognized your name
> from
> all those nights of seeing your signature".
> Wow! That was a new one. It sure made me count my blessings.
That is sobering, Paul. Also very humanizing...the homeless aren't cyphers.
They could be US. I love this story...
Regards,
Kate Johnson
Graphics/Fine Arts
http://www.cathyjohnson.info/
http://www.epsi.net/graphic/
http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_1494_profile.htm
| |
|
