A is for Gilbert

oil on panel 11 x 14

 Its been go go go since ArtWalk and I hit the wall today. My buddy Mick McGinty  of " Twice a Week" emailed me after I commented on his latest masterpiece. He asked me ... what are you doing at the computer ... who's minding the store? I actually was across the street taking advantage of $2 beers and $1 tacos at the Club Car Restaurant. I was digesting all I have been through and reading the latest issue of International Artist Magazine which features a nice article by my friend Jim Gurney. He is a national treasure.

 It occurred to me that I would not trade these past few weeks for anything. I have come home exhausted usually around six and I give my last energy and love to my family.

 But I have to tell you about someone who has really touched my heart and I thank him in ways he does not even know. The painting above is of a 81 year old man who rides his bike all around Auburn donning his eclectic eccentric cap. His name is " Gilbert" and everyone in Auburn either knows him, has a story about him, or at least seen him on his bicycle. He is very careless on that bike and has been hit literally 10 times. The last time landed him in the hospital. Most people would give up. Not Gilbert. He rides solo around town like a Paul Revere around Auburn spreading the warning that a complacent Life is a sad thing. He is on a mission to spred joy. I hear his honk from his horn and my face lights up ... " Gilbert is around". I get him . I get what he is trying to do but that is not true for everyone. He likes to hang around and chat and some people are not too comfortable with that. He is actually banned from some eating establishments. Sad.

 Gilbert is Local. He has lived in these parts all his life and he was a Tail gunner on those death coffins called B-17's during WW2. He got that assignment after he flew the P-40 many times and complained to his captain that it was too slow. He said ... " I'm going to get killed in that sonna va bitch"! Yeah. 2 out 3 of those fighting steel cages never came back from their mission. Gilbert has a Guardian Angel.

 Gilbert has never learned to read or write . I talked to a man who has known Gilbert since 1938 and he told me... Yeah... Gilbert has always been a little quirky. You know... I LIKE quirky . And I like a man who has courageously served his country.

 Gilbert told me that people love him. He said that when his wife died that he went to pieces. He adored her. He mentioned that if it wasn't for his friends that he would not be here.

 I look forward to each day now when Gilbert sounds his horn and he walks in and sits himself down in my chair and starts talking. We all need to talk. And Gilbert knows that intuitively. He's not one of those ol folks pinning their time away watching TV. He is out and about and he does his rounds everday talking and meeting with his friends.

 He told me tonight as I visited him at his elderly Apartment Complex, You have a gift from Jesus Frank... You are Powerful. 

 I guess when you do have a gift from Jesus you have to be powerful. Gilbert loves Life and wants to go out swinging.

 He is my new Hero.

 I will be publishing postcards of this portrait. Locals are already lining up for copies.

Thanks Gilbert!