Art 4 Friends

An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them.  ~Andy Warhol

I love giving away art. There is something so vulnerable about it, but yet, so satisfying. Perhaps it is because I am one for receiving the thoughtful, simple gestures as opposed to the grandiose and material things people often give away. I don't know if everyone loves to receive these types of gifts as much as I, but, unfortunately those close to me - because of low funds, and my understanding of an ideal gift - better get used to it. I enjoy giving someone something that you really put your time and heart into. Something that you envisioned specifically for that person. I don't know about you, but I cannot think of a more personal gift. This is why over the years I have started to do just that. The next couple "art" blogs I would like to post will feature some of the pieces that I have created for others close to me. 

Today, I will highlight some drawings I have done for my friend Isaac. 

Perhaps a slight synopsis of our friendship is also needed...

While serving my time as an Athletic Training Student at UMD, I worked very closely with the football team. One spring, and two summer/fall seasons to be exact. My senior year, as with the year prior, I showed up in August ready for fall camp. It was always interesting seeing the baby freshman - all shy and obedient, and hearing all of the stories and rumors about the new transfers. All I was really told was that this Isaac character was supposed to be "pretty nasty" (which for all of you who do not speak fluent college football player, that means he was supposed to be really good ). Some returning players had apparently seen his highlight videos on youtube and were impressed. Naturally, the AT staff hearing about this footage, had to check it out for ourselves. Well folks, I guess these guys were right - he was pretty sick-nasty. Needless to say, the football season went in the right direction. Thousands of yards and a National Championship later, the season ended with a bang. Throughout this time, I was able to form a pretty good relationship with majority of the team and a closer one with some athletes that had been injured (It is pretty easy to do so when you see these people everyday for 5 months straight). However, Isaac was never really injured that year. It just so happened that he lived about two blocks away from my house. Us both being avid supporters of public transportation (except for when the bus shows up 10 min early or 10 min late), we ended up catching the same bus home almost every night. For anyone who has ever ridden the bus, you know how awkward that can be. It is a relief when you see someone you know riding the same bus. This way you don't get stuck sitting with the person who sits with their legs SO spread that they take up their own seat and half of yours, or the art student who has that HUGE black bag full or supplies, or that smelly guy with 5 teeth when your nose just happens to be working extra well that day. Needless to say, if we happened to see each other on the bus, we decided sitting next to each other had to be better than the aforementioned options (unless of course you had a cold, in which smelly guy with 5 teeth didn't seem so bad). Now not knowing Isaac he came off as the strong, silent type. You know, that guy who walked around with his ear buds in trying to avoid stupid petty conversation. Me being the complete opposite, able and pretty much willing to talk to anyone who will talk back, was not sure how to approach some of these rides. Do I try to engage in conversation? Or do I allow him to continue jamming to his ipod (which now being friends, I imagine was full of Gavin, Sara, Missy, and John...which is probably not at all what I had pegged him for)? I do not fully remember, but I imagine some rides were filled with one or both of these options - mostly including the chit chat option. Regardless, I am not exactly sure when Isaac and I really started to become better friends...but I don't think it was really until football was nearly over. Again, I cannot exactly remember how it all played out, but I believe our "best friend" status actually started after this drawing: 

I am pretty sure the conversation that had prompted this drawing was that Isaac had jokingly said he wanted a picture of himself like Vince Vaughn's portrait on Wedding Crashers. I want to say I actually looked into it and could not find a picture of it to go off of, and so I settled upon this. I believe that sometime close to xmas break I emailed him to tell him the picture was done... Idk if I had done the leave your phone number trick in the email, or if he had initiated that...but regardless, the number exchange had occurred. After this, we talked on a pretty regular basis...which means everyday. ha. Many movies and rock band sessions later, the bond of "holy pants and shirts" was made. For those of you that don't own our cd, that is the name of our kick-ass rock band (sidenote: yet again, another Wedding Crashers reference...hmm). 

Our friendship has remained close despite the distance. Throughout this time we have been able to stay afloat mostly via text messages and someecards. I was even able to make the journey north to see him and the other bulldogs play in the post-season the next two years. Besides those two occurrences, our hang out time has been minimal. Hopefully this will change soon, and visits can be more of a regular occurrence. The second drawing (of which I am actually still in possession of due to my forgetful self not bringing it to D-town the last two times I have been there!) was supposed to be a birthday gift. I was once impressed with this drawing, but a year and a half later, I am not so sure it flows quite like I had imagined it to once. Anyways, I will let you decide:

The beginning stages

Throwing in some guitar

Now adding in some pieces of paper with lyrics from two of his favorite songs... and...

Voila!

Finished product.

Well, that is the end of the story of the art for Isaac. [Oh, by the way buddy, if you still want this drawing let me know...and when you come visit this summer you can have it ;).]

I guess it is about time that he receive another piece...perhaps a painting. If you have any suggestions my dear, let them be known. I have enjoyed making you artwork, and would be honored to continue to do so if you so chose. 

There you have it folks. The story of two crazy kids becoming friends over a silly drawing. I guess weirder things have happened. All I can say is, I am glad that I pursued this art endeavor. So thank you brain, hand, pencil, national championship, wedding crashers, and Isaac for giving the inspiration for this drawing. Without it, I am not so sure how close we would have become; and that my friends, would have been a tragedy.