Sunday, January 12, 2014

"I Miss You Vincent"

A Very Sad Day For Your Art Buddy, Michael


Sad to write...After a long illness my dear friend of sixty years , Vincent, passed away this morning!
The other day I posted a  photo of my gift to him, "Boston News Paper Boy!" Your comments on that post were so comforting.
Thank you!
 

This piece is another of our favorites!

"Young Boston Shoe Shine Boy"

(While growing up in East Boston we both shined shoes and sold newspapers so many years ago.)


24 comments:

  1. Oh dear....Michael....I am so sorry to read this. How strange it must be to have such an important friend leave you. Once I heard someone say to someone else (under similar circumstances)...remember, your relationship with your beloved person continues! You will still talk with him and nothing has changed, aside from the lack of "physicality". Nothing extinguishes a friendship like yours and Vincents! My heart goes out to you. I love both paintings that remind you of your great friend. HUGS to you, "art buddy".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celeste! Thank you for your wonderful and very kind words. You are right it is quite strange and very odd. Also quite sad. Your comments are quite profound and comforting. I very much appreciate your taking the time to write. I hesitated to make this post. Years ago before I was art blogging I would have wondered who would who post the passing of a friend for all the world to see and why. Now I know the answer to both questions. The who? Me! Why? Because I have made so many wonderful and caring art friends! So, thank you again Celeste! I will be checking your work and commenting soon!
      Your ever so slowly becoming less sad art buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  2. Michael I was so sorry to read about your very special and long standing friend Vincent. It must be devastating to lose someone who you shared so much of your life with.
    It was great that he was able to enjoy the surprise of the wonderful painting you did for him. The shoe shine painting is also wonderful and very evocative of another era. It will be an extra special reminder of your friend.
    I'm thinking of you at this very sad time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendy! Thank you so much for writing! I am constantly amazed that I have become so close with so many by being and art blogger! Another era Michael would have found it odd to blog such a personal event as the passing of a dear friend. I find it so very interesting that through the sharing of art and words this new era Michael finds it less odd and more appropriate. I am hoping others agree. As an artist and a human being I find I do better in life by being more trusting of others. All that being said, thank you so much for your very kind words. They do mean so much to me. I am on the mend! A memorial gathering is planned soon in East Boston. I am sure it will be quite a time. Sad but also filled with wonderful stories and plenty of laughter.
      I am concerned about the extreme heat in Australia. I am hoping that everyone is okay. The news in the US talks of extreme heat, very dry, and heat related fires. I wish you well.
      Your on the mend art buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  3. I am SO sorry to hear about your dear friend Vincent passing away, Michael! I know how much he meant to you and know that you feel like part of you has died with him. Stay strong, keep painting and I'm sending you a big hug.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Hilda My Dear Art Friend!
      Thank you so very much for writing. I was replying to other comments that I am still amazed that I even posted such an event. I guess I thought my paintings I share with the world should also have their emotional ties shared as well. That certainly is the case with the last two works. I appreciate your very kind words Hilda. This on line art world has opened many new doors for me. I am thrilled mostly because of the art friendships I have made. I find your wonderful portraits to be honest and emotionally packed and I very much appreciate that in your art! So thank you Hilda for that much needed and happy to receive big hug! I will keep painting for sure! Take care and thank you again Hilda!
      Your Staying Strong Art Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  4. I am sorry for your loss Michael. Your friend is resting and in a better place, you showed him a lot of love and he has taken those thoughts with him.
    These paintings will be a beautiful memorial of all that you shared together. A big hug!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello My Dear Friend, Celia!
      Thank you so very much for writing! Your very kind words are very comforting! I appreciate you taking time to visit and write to me! You are so right about these paintings. I will forever look at the two of them and think warm thoughts of my dear buddy, Vincent! This art blog certainly has turned out so differently than I could have ever expected. I never ever thought or expected to become so close with others whom I have never met in person. I am certain that art is an amazing thing. We are so lucky to be artists and get the chance to share our art with so many!
      Thank you again Celia for so much. I will be back checking out your wonderful and very colorful watercolors soon! Keep up your daily painting!
      Your Colorful Watercolor Loving Art Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  5. Ciao Michael,
    mi dispiace molto per il tuo amico Vincent...è sempre così difficile accettare la fine della vita e pensare al mondo senza le persone che si amano...ma. così è purtroppo!
    I tuoi dipinti dedicati a lui rimangono però a testimoniare la sua vita e la vostra amicizia e, secondo me, è una gran bella cosa!
    Ho riguardato i tuoi lavori, la neve, gli uccellini e babbo Natale pittore...un insieme che fa sorridere e trasmette grande simpatia!!!
    Ciao. abbracci e tanti auguri per il 2014, Floriana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciao Floriana!
      Grazie!
      Thank you so much for writing such kind and wonderful words. I wish I could speak Italian. I hope the computer can translate how much your words mean to me. I am so happy that you wrote that my paintings "remain as a witness to Vincent's life!!" I will always think of him when I look at these works. You are right, it is a good thing! I am glad you enjoyed my snow, bird, and Santa photos. It is so very good and important to laugh! I am amazed, thrilled and fool of gratitude that art blogging has brought me so close with so many wonderful people from all over the world. You are certainly one of them. Imagine me getting comments from Italia, Australia, Canada, Spain, USA, and all over the world. It is wonderful! Thank you again my very dear Italian Artist Friend!
      Many hugs and best wishes to you also Florian!
      Abbracci!
      Cia!
      Grazie!
      Your USA Italian Art Loving Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  6. oh Michael that is sad news about Vincent passing. I am sorry, please accept my sympathy. The paintings that you are painting about your life together are a wonderful commemoration to your friendship

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello My Canadian Art Friend, Sally!
      Thank you so much for writing to me. I am so appreciative of all your comments in the past and especially todays! Your wonderful words and the fact that you cared to write mean so much to me. Because of you and all our other art blogging friends I am so happy I started to post some of my art on line. I hope no one thought my last blog to be too personal or inappropriate. I guess over the last couple of years I have made some new and valued friends.
      I have been checking your blog lately and will definitely respond soon. Especially to your most recent post! I love the red cardinal perched on the snow covered trees. The red jumps of the surface. So very beautiful. Be on the lookout for a similar scene on my blog. About a week ago I started a very similar cardinal painting. Mostly in browns and whites with just a hint of the red cardinal. I am painting on a roof slate to hang on our door as a welcome sign.
      So, thank you again Sally.
      Your Red Cardinal Loving Art Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  7. I am so sorry Michael. When a dear childhood buddy passes, you lose a piece of yourself; your world is never quite the same. A light has gone out. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I do know your loss. Warm hugs. Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Linda!
      I am always so very happy to see your name appear on the comment form. Thank you so much for your concern. Your writing is exactly how I feel. I am so glad that others understand. I so appreciate your sending your sympathies and regards. I was a bit hesitant to write something so personal and now I am glad I did. I love your blog. I enjoy your wonderful art and I love reading your life stories. Your honesty is remarkable. I am learning that this blogging thing is a very good tool not only to share our art but also our life experiences. You do that often and I thank you!
      Thank you for your kind words today and over the last year. Maybe even longer. I should probably check that out! You are a gift Linda!
      Keep on painting. I will be back checking out your blog soon!
      Your L.W. Roth Blog Loving Art Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  8. I am so sorry about the loss of your friend, Vincent. I think it is wonderful that you stayed so close over the years and had so many memories of each other and the neighborhood to share for so long. I am so glad you had given him the painting of the shoeshine boy below. It is a wonderful testament of your friendship and the way you treat your friends. Again, please accept my sympathy about your loss, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello My So Very Talented and Prolific Art Making Friend Joan!
      Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your very kind words. They mean so much to me. I am so happy to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to write! Your words are so meaningful to me. Vincent and I have been friends for such a long time. It is amazing that two little paintings can conjure up so much emotion! This art blogging thing has been such a wonderful experience for me because of you and all the other artist friendships I have made. Thank you so much for so much Joan! Keep on painting. I love picturing you in your car as you plein air! Keep it up. I will comment again soon!
      Take care.
      Your Feeling Better Every Day Outdoor Sketch Loving Art Buddy!
      Michael

      Delete
  9. Oh, Michael, this is such sad news and I send you my deepest, most heartfelt sympathies. It did make me happy to know that you were able to give him that joyful, vibrant Newsboy painting and that he had a chance to enjoy it and feel the strength of your emotion. Warm hugs from your painting buddy, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Susan! I wrote before how happy just seeing your words "Oh Michael" makes me feel. Again, thank you for writing to me. I so appreciate our art friendship! Thank you for your very kind and so from the heart words. I am so happy that you described the Newsboy as joyful and vibrant! Besides evoking a sense of noble sadness and pride I also wanted the painting to be joyful and vibrant. There are so many emotions that appear obvious in some of my works and I also feel there are many more emotions that may be "hidden!" I am always thrilled when somebody points out emotion in my art. Especially something as personal as the last two pieces. You, and our many other, art blogging friends I am discovering over and over again are treasures to me. Thank you so much for taking valuable time to write to me. Thank you also for your wonderful art. Your art is always soul lifting and exciting so please keep on making art and share it with the world.
    Your Ballerina, Flying Horses, Life Drawing, Portrait Drawing, Art Loving Buddy!
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh dear friend, I'm so sorry to hear this news :( The paintings of the shoe shine boys are wonderful and man were those simpler times. Happy that Vincent was able to receive your gift in time.
    I send you warm thoughts and hugs as you have for me, during this time of loss. Yes, I felt the same way about posting my mama's death on my blog, but you are right, we are a community and this is how we keep in touch.
    I realize that we are in that place in life where we will suffer more losses and each one will be a blow so we must dig deep for the joy in each day. Not always easy and not always successful but we try.
    Keep painting and enjoying life, Micheal. You are in my thoughts and your kinds words have meant so much to me.
    ~hugs~
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mary!
      Thank you very much for your concern! Your very kind words mean so much to me. I am glad you like my work. A great compliment coming from such a great artist as yourself! You are so right about the art blogging community! I never dreamed I would have ever developed these wonderful bonds with so many fellow artists from all over the world. We are so very fortunate.
      I am very proud of you. You hang in there. You have suffered such a loss. You also keep painting. I truly believe art can heal and do wonders. Art has brought amazing people like you into my life! Take care my Massachusetts and Nova Scotia Art Buddy!
      Hugs to you also!
      Michael

      Delete
  12. Hi Michael, we all have to experience the loss of friends and family, that is never easy.
    But we can also remember the good and happy times we did have with them. I cherish each and every memory I have with everyone in my life. Our lives are experiences and all the memories we collect during our lives are its bonus's.
    So Vincent is still with you.
    Keep painting...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello David, Buddy!
      So very good to hear from you! You are so right about loss! Your words are full of wisdom and are a great help for me. Thank you David! I am learning also to cherish and savor every second on the planet and make wonderful memories. I know I cherish all my art blogging friendships. You certainly are one of them my hot weather loving friend!
      Thanks again David!
      I will keep painting! You also!
      Michael

      Delete
  13. Please know I send my true and deep-felt sympathy, Michael.
    I had a lump in my throat reading the post and seeing your wonderful tribute with words and paint.
    Happy Memories do live forever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie!
      Thank you so very much for writing. I am so happy to hear from you! I so appreciate your kind words of sympathy! I am also moved that my art and words had such an impact on you and others. I so appreciate you sharing that with me.
      You are right about happy memories. My friend Vincent's wife has asked me to speak at his upcoming memorial and talk of the many happy memories I have.
      Thank you from the bottom of my heart Julie!
      Your art friend!
      Michael

      Delete