Saying Goodbye...

When you get woken up by an unexpected early morning phone call from a family member across the country, you usually know it's not going to be good news.

Such was the case this week. Woke up in the early hours because of a phone call from one of my Aunts. I thought it might be about my elderly grandma; she's in her late 90's. But I was shocked to hear that my cousin, who was in his 40's, had unexpectedly passed away in the middle of the night.

I had to work at the art gallery that day, so I bought some art stuff with me. I decided to process in one of the only (healthier) ways I know how - to get lost in art and to create something in his honor. I sketched for a while and then decided to do a simple black and white portrait in charcoal. It seemed right.

Here is what came out of that drawing time.

In the photo I was using for reference, he was in a log cabin in long sleeves, casually leaning over a table. That's what I wanted to capture.

And I wanted to show his kind face.

As I left the gallery, I noticed an amazing sunset across the street. So I headed down to the water to just soak in the view and appreciate the beauty.

He's the "last light" from that night. This is for you, Eric.