Turn It Over
Old Art & Fond Memories
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Greetings from Hollywood Gardens, PA.
Autumn weather is arriving a bit early in our region, and the last few days have been pleasantly balmy. Our little backyard garden is finally producing a few tomatoes, but overall it’s been a bum year for the crops. Perhaps a sacrifice to appease the gods is in order.
It’s been a busy week at the drawing board after the Labor Day holiday. I took a little time off, and I’m almost caught up. Drawings emerging from the studio this week featured a meeting of two characters from unrelated comic books, a street vendor, Bigfoot, off-duty military personnel, Saint Peter, and a sports mascot.
Looking Ahead, Back, and Behind
Here’s my imaginary mascot, who’ll pop in in a mid-November gag.
We look to the recent past (mid-June) with a self-made reference photo I used when drawing Monday’s “air ukulele” gag. Unbelievably, I couldn’t find a picture of an air ukulele player online.
I’ve shared this 1995 illustration in the past. It’s a painting that appeared on the cover of The Guide, an entertainment supplement to The London Guardian. I sold the original years ago, and it recently found its way back to me, bringing back several memories.
A couple who lived nearby bought the painting and had it in their home for many years. One of them passed away in 2017, and his spouse eventually moved to an apartment in a senior community, and more recently into memory care. The caregiver who was cleaning the apartment found the painting and asked if I’d like to have it, and it’s now back in my home.
The reverse side of the frame triggered the memories I mentioned.
This entry form for a 2007 group art show was attached to the backing. I had a few pieces in the show, but “Popcorn Gal” didn’t make the cut. By the way, that was an aspirational price on the art. I sold it for MUCH less than that.
My late friend Mark Zingarelli chaired the exhibit. That’s Zing in the lower right on the cover of the program, and I’m in the lower left corner.
Zing wrote a swell intro for the exhibit catalog.
The other sticker on the back reminded me of who framed the art. Miller Frame’s owner, Wendi Miller, was accomplished in her craft and was an important part of the community. She configured her shop to have a dedicated space for her large and friendly dog to hang out with her. Customers could see him, but he didn’t have access to the open area, in case anyone was afraid of large dogs.
Wendi was also a human rights/trans rights activist, and above all, a friendly and delightful person who loved a good conversation with her customers. She lived her life well.
I was happy that the art wasn’t discarded, and I’m especially grateful for the way it rekindled memories of people who are no longer with us: my neighbor and lunch buddy who enjoyed the painting enough to display it in his home; my friend and colleague with whom I shared many espressos and hot dogs (not at the same time); and a successful businesswoman who I knew casually as her customer, and who treated every customer like a friend.
I’ll be sure to take a look at the back of this framed piece from time to time.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter and for your comments, questions, suggestions, and pipe pics. I’m always happy to hear from you.
All the best from your cartoonist,
Wayno
Love popcorn gal. Well, anything that involves popcorn I do love. Cool story.