Things My Grandmother Taught Me to Steal

Choose a direction, and...

Over the past few weeks, three people I cared for passed away. And this morning, it occurred to me that each of them had inspired me to make a piece of art.

This piece was inspired by my grandmother, Lorraine Logue. Three weeks shy of her 95th birthday, the matriarch of the family, and my last remaining grandparent, she died peacefully after a quick decline. There is so much to say about the impact my grandmother had on me. She was strong, giving, and knew her own mind. She loved to read and tell stories. She also slipped every little free thing she could into her purse. In 2008, when the U.S. was in the financial crisis that invoked the phrase ‘the Great Recession,’ I made this drawing. Lorraine, my Gram, loved it. She flew across the country to attend the opening for my show Album, and gleefully signed copies of prints, proud to be that very Grandmother.

All Over Coffee #294, No Matter Which Direction, was made in 2006, and was inspired by Bob Flexner, the father of a good friend. Bob was a father, woodworker, and a generous and funny man. We always had the best conversations. He was full of pithy wisdom and once said this line to me in the wee hours after being up half the night talking. I think of it all the time when considering life choices, both big and small.

All Over Coffee #367, Box of Problems, was inspired by Rich Chen, one of the most intense, thoughtful, and optimistic people I have ever met. He died last week after decades of battling injuries he’d sustained during the Gulf War. In 2007, Rich said this to me while having coffee together in Four Barrel cafe in San Francisco, and it changed my perspective forever. Lines like this, metaphors that reflect truth, are how I understand life. Immediately after our conversation, I walked up the street and drew this piece.

All three of these wonderful people gave to the world in their own unique way, and will be missed by me and all who loved them. I’m grateful to have known them, and am honored to have been inspired by them. I’m just glad I’m able to share these with you again. Each of these people gave me the gift of their presence in my life, and it brings me joy to think I’ve been able to pass on a part of them to others, through my work. I don’t know that there’s much higher beauty to art than this.

Rest in peace dear Gram, and good friends Bob, and Rich. Thank you.

And thanks everyone for reading. If you want prints of any of these pieces, click on the images.

Be well. More soon,

– Paul