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2/02/2012

The Sad Days Coming, Photo365, Day 33


I was going to take the day off from Photo365. But I'm not. I'll explain this little bit of confusion.

Tuesday night I got an email from a friend - the woman who did her best to introduce me to watercolor, Rusty. It was an announcement that Vikki North had died that day. Day before yesterday. The "Sad Days Coming" are all the days I'll know she's no longer here to call, to write to, to listen to, to seek out for comment and support.

I knew she was ill. I just didn't know how ill. Vikki was one of those people you just kind of think is going to last forever - it's always a surprise when they don't. A shock. And it stops you in your tracks.

You start thinking about all the things that were left unsaid and undone - knowing that her paintbrush is down, her last canvas, done, and there's no way to add anything, you realize that it's all final. Done. There is nothing, now, to do to fix, or add, or complete. There is no way to say the things that should have been said, and that weighs heavily on me, now. I never even had the chance to say goodbye.

There was a time, a couple of years ago, when Vikki and I worked quite closely together. Vikki helped me find my "Writer" - without her, all those episodes up the right hand side of this page just would not exist. The books I'm working on now would never have been started.

The picture, below, Photo365, Day 33, is "The Kid". Vikki read my story and drew the picture I had in my mind of "The Kid". It is charcoal on paper, and it is a tangible piece of Vikki I will treasure as long as I live.



Vikki was an amazing artist. A true Master Artist. She was a supportive and engaging spirit. She was my friend. She is irreplaceable. If you click on the link in her name - up there, at the top of this post - you'll be taken to a page of her work. Go. Look. See what we have lost.

Ndinombethe.

5 comments:

Tara R. said...

I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing friend and was definitely a very gifted artist.

Jientje said...

She did an amazing job with that drawing of the kid. I remember her well. So sorry you had to loose a friend.

Big Mark 243 said...

I am sorry for your lost... it is always sudden when we lose someone who we cherish ...

Nan Sheppard said...

A truly versatile and expressive artist. I'm sorry Lou, it's terrible to lose a mentor.

Holly said...

My brother Robby and I want to thank everyone for their kind words. We hope our mother is remembered for her enormous talent and what her artwork brought to this world. We appreciate that you all have us in your thoughts and prayers during this time. <3

Robby and Holly