Sunday, May 3, 2009

Influences...

Yesterday afternoon, Brig’s friend stopped by to tell me that his dad has inoperable brain cancer…we talked for quite a while and it was pretty sad. I heard more news of the same caliber when I went for coffee this morning, so I decided to run by a pan of cinnamon rolls to Brig’s friend, who enjoys ‘mom-made’ baked goods, as his parents are divorced. The dad himself (age 65) answered the door—tears streaming down his face…It was hard to talk and say the right things especially when you don't know the person very well...

After that, I decided to drive over to the town of Wabaunsee, small enough that one can raise chickens in your yard, if one so chose, without much comment from any neighbors, as they have them too, and maybe even goats!

Wabaunsee is the home of Jaguar Joe, the only guy in KS that I know whose living room (which faces the main road) opens up to encapture whatever Jag he’s working on at the moment. We also come to this town for gun purchases in a guy’s basement, and other than that, I am not aware of any other ‘business’ here.

Jaguar Joe, a Vietnam Vet with white Einstein hair, bought this abandoned old limestone grocery back in 1983. The very next year, he was awakened when the back wall crashed away from the structure…as he restored the property, he extended the home and added many tall southern windows—this area is his art studio where he creates his wax sculptures to be cast later in bronze in the backyard.

There not being many (any?) Jaguars in KS, its easy to spot him coming, especially when his Jag was painted as a huge red/white/n blue wavy flag—with large paintbrushes and house paint. Up close, you can even see the texture!

I hadn’t seen him in a couple years, since I had stopped going to the Columbian Artist Group, but since I heard he has cancer too, I had to visit. “Damn! If this is what makes you come see me, I need to get cancer more often!” and “Listen bitch! Stop using your ‘lost glasses’ as an excuse and make some new art!” He’s very vocal and opinionated! Despite his pain, Jaguar Joe was very inspiring and showed me some sculptures-in-progress, some websites to visit, and the spirit to get motivated on some new art.

I will definitely drop bye more often, re-join the Artist’s Group, and yank him along with me to keep his mind on art and away from the pain!

If I can…

: )

1 comment:

Dan Johnson said...

Sad. My sister's father-in-law died of brain cancer...not good. Would like to have seen some pics of Jaguar Joe's place...another "classic"...