Kat Under a Hot Tin Roof
Isn’t it funny how we as artists practice the “dance of avoidance” (Ted Orland, Creative Authenticity) when we have all the time in the world to practice our craft? Why do we do that? Why do I do that? I got sick last week, the doctor ordered me to stay home for four days and recuperate, and what did I do? I worked harder on my lesson plans, anticipating my return to the classroom. I’ve taught 22 years! I don’t have to re-invent the wheel for public school!
Now, north Texas is expecting up to 8 inches of snow. Tomorrow’s (Friday) classes are already canceled, and Monday is President’s Day. So–I’ve just inherited another 4-day weekend. I’ll get to know myself a little better this time, perhaps, and have something to show for the hiatus before I get back into the classroom next Tuesday. Right now, I’m just sitting, chilling, and rhapsodizing on the huge, HUGE snowflakes filling the sky outside my study window, and recalling–Oh yeah! a blog for today! So, here goes. . .
I’ve had the privilege of playing acoustic guitar and singing in a band for a number of years now. I have posted a watercolor of Kat Duke, one of our most amazing charter band members. Kat is a gifted, soulful song writer, acoustic guitar player and vocalist (my how dusky and sultry her alto voice is!). She and I began pulling people aside back in 2004 to play together, and, next thing we knew, we were a band with gigs on the calendar. Through the years, band members came and went, but Kat always remained steadfast.
Finally in January 2008 Kat decided to pursue her long deferred dream of moving to the Pacific Northwest and living out the life of a folk singer. She boarded a plane for Seattle, and we were all saddened to lose her, yet proud of her brave step into the future. Before she departed, I secretly created this watercolor of her. The pose came from a photo I took of her playing my guitar in my art booth at a festival at Kessler Park in Oak Cliff, Dallas. I created the brick wall from my imagination, and added graffiti of all the band members who had played with her since 2004, and a logo of the band that she and I stayed with the longest–Interchangeable Parts.
Anytime I want to hear Kat’s voice, I only have to look at this painting. And it all comes back . . .
Recollections 54 The Art of David Tripp 