11/11/2025
I still can't believe I'm a galleried artist. I want to tell you about the amazing people that inspired my piece "The Punk Reliquary: A Portrait of Grief" and got me into my first gallery. Zanoah was a little punk kid with a heart that was too big for his chest. He was the type of kid to pester you all day but then turn around and demand to walk you to the bus stop to keep you safe saying "you better feel lucky, that I love you". He was a lover and a fighter. The last time I sang for an audience it was Rejoice by AJJ at his funeral. Hanniah was his big sister and when we lost Z she became all of our big sister. She was a powerhouse person and mother. She was so strong and selfless she carried us through her own loss and grief. She was silly and soft, but also unafraid. Robbie, I knew the longest, he asked me for lotion in bad kid math class and then became a close friend. He was with me the day we met our crew. Vance was a talented musician. His speaking voice was so low sometimes you couldn't hear him, but when he played for you it was like you saw him for the first time. Faith was a great woman, with an amazing heart. We were instantly friends. She was funny, respectful, and gorgeous. These people defined my 20's and now their loss has been defining my future in both negative and positive ways. This piece reflects the grotesque beauty of loving someone so much that you have to experience missing them forever. It is my honor to be their Punk Reliquary carrying their stories, names, and impact 1000s of miles from home all these years later. The grief can be crushing and so can the survivors guilt, but this piece comes from the blessing to have these people as a part of my life at all. S.P.E.W. forever, TOO PUNK FOR LIFE.
Mental health is a real epidemic. Please always let the people you love know how important they are to you. If you are struggling with addiction or SH ideation remember how loved you are. You are special, and important, it's never too late. As always; Stay weird, Stay real, Stay another day.
