My anticipation reached its peak this week... the day we finally went to the Chicago History Museum to see Ed Paschke's exhibit of paintings, grouped by decade on the second floor. A video ran in the first room of the gallery, haunting to watch. It was filmed by Art Beat just twelve hours before the artist would die in his sleep of heart failure on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. It portrayed a man who appeared healthy, vibrant, calm, animated, enthusiastic about his current project, appreciative of the chance to talk about it. No hint of what was to come. And yet, what a wonderful thought to consider he lived doing what he loved until the day he died... painting.Our view of the paintings was perfect, the pieces were not crowded. There were other people there, but nothing that interfered with our liesurely pace in thoughtfully letting our eyes rest on each incredible canvas. I absorbed each one, like enjoying a fabulous meal, bite by heavenly bite.
On Wednesday I went with Monica to get the tattoo she's been planning for two years.
Personally, I have no tattoos and prefer my body au naturale! But... if someone wishes to use tattoos to express who they are, by all means go for it! Monica has several tattoos, but this one was to be the most elaborate and biographical. She asked my help in designing it about two years ago while she lived in Austin.
After several revisions and brain storming with Monica, here's my final sketch.
The final design features Chicago's Sears Tower, the Adler Planetarium, the U of I bell tower (stylized) and the London Gherkin, among other symbolic elements.... with a rocket ship zooming off to its next destination.
The artist was Harlan Thompson, who did an amazing job! Monica chose him after searching for just the right one for the job. After all the planning, this is the final result! She loves it!
I feel so blessed tonight...:::sigh:::.... grateful that my work allows me to be flexible enough to enjoy these times with my daughter. Who knows when we'll have time together again after she returns to London. Part of me goes with her now, wherever she goes... on that tattoo... as if we needed an outward expression of what already exists inside us.
Personally, I have no tattoos and prefer my body au naturale! But... if someone wishes to use tattoos to express who they are, by all means go for it! Monica has several tattoos, but this one was to be the most elaborate and biographical. She asked my help in designing it about two years ago while she lived in Austin.
After several revisions and brain storming with Monica, here's my final sketch.The final design features Chicago's Sears Tower, the Adler Planetarium, the U of I bell tower (stylized) and the London Gherkin, among other symbolic elements.... with a rocket ship zooming off to its next destination.
The artist was Harlan Thompson, who did an amazing job! Monica chose him after searching for just the right one for the job. After all the planning, this is the final result! She loves it!
I feel so blessed tonight...:::sigh:::.... grateful that my work allows me to be flexible enough to enjoy these times with my daughter. Who knows when we'll have time together again after she returns to London. Part of me goes with her now, wherever she goes... on that tattoo... as if we needed an outward expression of what already exists inside us.
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