My old standby

I used to joke that I took self portraits because the talent was affordable. It's been almost 10 years since I've done one. A real one. And it took another family death to create it. Last night, after hearing my uncle died - all I felt was chill - my hands are still numb. The thermostat is set to 74. When I was a kid I used to sit on the heater vent and pull my shirt over my knees to get warm. The intense heat brought comfort and temporary relief. In Denver I created a piece that upset a lot of people - but for me it was an exploration of all the little "what ifs" we try to suppress. When we moved to Boston it was dismantled and stored in a box. A lot of work does that - evokes emotions no one wants to see on a regular bases. So I box it up and put it away. These little exercises are my outlet , my means of showing myself what I feel. Its a lot cheaper than therapy - heck someday I may even make a buck or two off them :-)