The Sting of...

As a new year approaches everyone has a sense of starting over. We start the tally at one counting every new achievement as if it’s never been accomplished before. We also count our hardships and disappointments and by the end of the season we assess if we considered the year to be a good one or as one never to be repeated.

It seems if you follow art closely: This year so far we had to ‘pour one’ for more than one homie. We had to say good bye to some great influencers and innovators of our time. There are different reasons why they have passed from this world. Some had gotten sick, some took their lives into their own hands (which I would never recommend) and some passed from natural causes. Regardless, they changed the game with their artistry and turned things that can seem cliché into an original. They enabled us to think beyond ourselves and recognize what we never understood. We cherish their memories, because their creations help us to progress into the next phase of our artistry. Therefore, I would like to pay special homage to a few originators who granted us back-stage access towards artistic evolution.

Jan 20: Singing Legend; Etta James, (73)

Jan 21: Multifaceted Designer and Oscar Winner; Eiko Ishioka (73)

Jan 28: Dealer and Collector; Steven Leiber, (54)

Jan 31: Surrealist Painter and Poet; Dorothea Tanning (101),

Feb 1: Inventor of Soul Train; Don Cornelius, (75), Longest first-run syndicated show in history

Feb 1: Painter, Musician , Innovator; Mike Kelley (57)

Feb 3: Actor; Ben Gazzara, (81)

Feb 6: Cantalan Painter and Sculptor; Antoni Tapies (88)

Death affects us all. We are left with a longing of happier days, and reminded that we will never see their smiling faces without the aid of a photograph. Yes, death is final, dark and depressing, and if you hadn’t guessed, I too am affected by it. But, death can never take from the dying the legacy of what they left behind- as long as we hold on to their memory. They may be gone, but they will never forgotten.