Spitting Image: In Memory Of Danny T.

As some of you know from my previously shared Axe Man’s Bridge post or from just knowing us personally, we recently lost our close friend Danny T. I wanted to do something special in his memory that I could also gift to his parents. Danny and I shared a love of creating art so what better way to pay tribute to him than to create a piece of art inspired by him.

It was one of the hardest portraits I have ever had to do. Not just because it was done from various photos to create one unique image (I didn’t want to just replicate a photo of him that everyone had seen, I wanted it to be unique just like Danny).  There were many times I literally asked Danny to help guide my pencil and there were many breakdowns where I had to walk away from it because it would hit me what I was drawing and why. But in the end, it came out exactly how I had hoped. Danny in his hat that he always wore, a tiny smirk on his face and his favorite Gibson Les Paul Sunburst guitar. A guitar not only that he loved dearly but played many shows with it on stage with Frank. Even up until the week he passed he and Frank were still jamming out for fun and making new music together. So it was important for me to incorporate that.

Yesterday was his “celebration of life” memorial so I brought it to give to his parents and they put it on display surrounded by his own art pieces. Frank and I specifically picked out the frame because it actually reminded us of something Danny would’ve made. He was actively working on a lot of art projects that involved upcycling items and making them cooler than the life they had once before. On Memorial Day weekend he showed me a table he had been working on and he had burned the wood to give it this same effect. So even the frame had meaning behind it.

I am happy to finally be able to share this with the rest of the world. Not just to showcase what I have been working on but to pay tribute to such a great person. I think it was the beginning stages of healing for me and now that I have given it to his parents I feel a sense of closure. Danny T. was an incredible human being and inspired so many of us. Not only to just be better people but to keep creating. I just hope he realizes how many lives he has touched. Yesterday was a huge reminder of that for all of us but I just hope he knows how much he impacted the lives of so many people.

I know my artwork in the past has helped others heal. So if you would like a print of this piece, please feel free to reach out to me. I had been asked by a few people yesterday and I am sorry that I didn’t think to bring prints to the memorial. My main goal was to just get it there safely, in one piece and be able to gift it to Danny’s parents.

In Memory of Danny Thornton May 15, 1980 – June 11, 2018

LDG Nicole

See more of my portrait work on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio site.

Spitting Image: Best Birthday Ever with Henry Rollins

I can not express the overwhelming amazingness that was experienced with my husband Frank and brother Mike on Friday for my birthday. Henry Rollins was EVERYTHING awesome you could imagine him to be. I could not be more grateful to Frank for doing this for my brother and I. Best gift ever!

The night started off with us getting VIP treatment. Anyone with VIP (only 50 people) were allowed in first for first pick of the best seats in the house. Honestly Thalia Hall is an amazing venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the place. Although being on the floor only a few feet away from him was definitely the preferred. We were enjoying every minute of it. We got some cool VIP laminates that had Henry holding 55 birthday candles on top of a skull. We also received matching autographed posters of the same image.

 

Thalia Hall Sign

Me = VIP Birthday Girl

My brother Mike, Me and my husband Frank EXCITED!

The Spoken Word portion of the show kicked off and as always Henry was filled with incredible stories of his adventures. travel and experiences. It took me back to 15 years ago when the 3 of us and my sister in law Melissa saw his Spoken Word tour on Rollins 40th birthday. Also an unforgettable show. The best part about the show though was his ability to really show us how down to earth he really is. He shared with us his memories of the times he had his own “in awe fan moments” including when he met Bowie and Lemmy for the first time. Which I was so hoping he would do. Listening to those stories brought us not only into Rollins world but also into Bowie and Lemmy’s as well.

He also shared about his contributions and getting Lemmy to be a part of the West Memphis Three benefit CD he put together. A cause you all know I have felt strongly about and have even donated my own work to help raise money for. One thing Rollins said was that the people who knew it was wrong stood up and did something about it. Said NO this is not right and NO we will not stand for it. That people pulled together to do something about it. It made me feel good knowing I was a part of that.

 

Rollins Spoken Word Live

Rollins Spoken Word Live Zoom

He told us how if we want to go out and do something DO IT! When others tell you that you can’t go at it with twice the force! That is what I love so much about him. Here is a man who stood on stage for hours just talking and left the entire audience in awe, inspired and entertained! A dream of mine would be to have the honor of just sitting down with him for like dinner or something and just picking his brain.

After the show was over everyone that was VIP stayed and the rest of the crowd left. We all sat there anticipating with excitement when Rollins would come out and talk to us to do a intimate Q & A. The best part is he came out on the floor and not on stage to talk to us.

Rollins talking to us after the show

He started off by saying he didn’t want to do the VIP thing at first because to some “it isn’t punk rock of you to pay to meet someone” but he knew if he didn’t give this a shot he might not be able to stick around and talk to all of his fans like he is use to doing. He was not comfortable with the fact that we were paying to meet him but he was honored at the same time.  That’s how cool Rollins is. We were the guneia pigs. We were actually history in the making as the very first group of fans/1st show to experience this with Rollins so that was wicked cool as well.

They OMG VIP crew started off with pictures which was very quick but still gave me the opportunity to hand him my Genesis 4:7 portrait and tell him I drew it for him. Show him the “Bloody Bingo” bag I made and even get it in the photo. He was like “wow this is for me” which made my heart sing. I think this photo is worth more then any words I could type here (I have been starring at it all day in awe ha ha)……

Just little ole’ me on my birthday. Henry Rollins with one arm around me and the other holding the Genesis 4:7 (He Never Died) art piece I drew for him in the other. Yeah I call this one “BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!”

My Brother Mike with his idol Henry Rollins

My Husband Frank (who made all of this happen for us) with Henry Rollins

Questions were already asked of the VIPs when entering the venue but he opened the floor to more questions once he finished them. This was my brother Mike’s shining moment (as he is the biggest Rollins fan on the planet). They were just about to wrap things up and he raised his hand. Rollins called on him and my brother was able to reminisce with Rollins about the time Rollins Band was here in Chicago at the Metro and we went to see them live. That Melissa was even 6 months pregnant at the time. That it was the most intense show he had ever seen. Rollins immediately shot the shit with him about the show and in detail talked about what they opened up with and they talked about it being a live taping etc. He thanked my brother for the feedback and for reliving the moment with him.

Needless to say, I can’t stop thinking about Friday so yesterday I contacted Rollins through his site to thank him for everything. To my surprise (yet I am not surprised because he is such a cool guy) I woke up to an email from him and part of it was thanking me for the art piece and telling me he hopes we cross paths again. Best birthday weekend EVER!

Stay Spooky!
Living Dead Girl Nicole

Spitting Image: Bloody BINGO!

So here it is my birthday and I am trying to come up with a creative way to gift my Genesis 4:7 portrait to Henry Rollins tonight.

My brother Mike said “Don’t look for one at the store. Make something. Make it about the movie!”

My husband Frank said “What if you incorporate the BINGO part of the movie and portrait”

Thanks to them, a few BINGO cards, some red paint, glue, Modge Podge, tape and a black gift bag I now have the perfect way to gift it to him!

I keep referring to it as the Bloody BINGO bag ha ha ha. For those that don’t know 2-13-61 is not only Rollins’ birthday but also a trademark of sorts for him as well.

Tonight is going to be EPIC!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole