(I have this propensity when doing an illustration, painting, mixed media...or whatever.....for developing a back story for a character or characters. This one is no exception.)
For years he entertained audiences with his self taught guitar style and fascinating stories. His musical journey took him on the road most of the year playing mostly small venues where he felt his rapport with the audience was much more intimate. He was a free spirit, a loyal friend and a gentle soul. His acoustic guitar's (the one he called Lovely Lady) music ranged from the blues, to Spanish/Brazilian, to a bit of reggae, to bluegrass, to his own style that defied a label. He lived modest and read many, many books on every subject. He could carry his weight in any conversation regarding everything from politics to architecture. He had only gone through 11th grade and set out to fulfill his need to play music at an early age. He felt the best education for him was life itself. He was asked to record, play the large venues and even appear on TV but he felt if he sold out to handlers and press people and agents....he'd lose his authenticity. Word of mouth never failed him admirers, fans and repeat ticket holders across the country.
Then one day it all stopped,..........the traveling, the reading, the writing, the stories and most of all no music. He had contracted an illness that kept him bedridden and cared for at first in a clinic and then by his mother. He was told he may never walk again and his hands were always stiff and sore. His friends dropped slowly away for fear of what to say or do. His mother, however, never gave up on him. She employed physical therapy and holistic methods and poltices and nutrients.........whatever it took to get him back on his feet. Because she always believed he'd get well he began to believe it too. Together they worked around the clock to get his strength back and his legs working.
Fast foward and there he was sitting by the window writing new songs and tapping his foot. His sound was as pure as ever with the journey of his illness making it even more soulful. He had gained a bit of weight, his hair still long in a pony tail was now gray and began at the back. He felt younger inside. His spirit gave him lift and life.
The time came where he finally stepped on to a stage with his Lovely Lady guitar to perform for the first time in nearly two decades. After each song the applause was resounding and his friends were all in the front row with tears and stomping. He introduced some of his new work and while he played you could hear a pin drop. After the last song the audience were on their feet as he jumped up to click his heels. He couldn't believe it and he raised his guitar silently thanking his Mom.
This was his comeback............this was the beginning of a new leg of his journey.
Hand sketched then digitally colored, printed then hand detailed with a fine black drawing pen and detailed with a white gel pen. The end result came out almost posterized.
Love,
Lisa
XOXO
