Wild Things

My friend Pepper (I call her Peppy) is the real deal…a one-of-a-kind Gen-U-Wine character! For many reasons she inspires me. Number one is she is a CREATIVE FORCE. In the 8 years since we met and became art buddies I have seen her reinvent her art several times over, always with great results. A neat trick considering she is within spitting distance of my mom's age yet pulls off the spirit of a woman 30 years younger!

Visually she is as much a treat as her artwork. She has the kind of hair that people cross the street and ask to touch. It is not only the brassy red color, but mostly that she wears it unlike anyone I have ever seen (excepting infant girls). She sports it in 2 thick pom pom-like pony tails on top of her head that bob and sway with her energetic movements. Being of Italian heritage gives them ample opportunity to accompany her vigorous hand gestures. Her hair could have its own Facebook page! I wouldn’t be surprised if they suddenly began to talk, they have that much personality. I should start referring to them as the twins...

Needless to say they attract plenty of attention and Pepper takes it in stride. Here's an example of what she encounters on a regular basis: Recently she made a visit to Daniel Smith's art supplies in downtown Seattle. One of the employees called to her across the store and excitedly started telling her about a series of paintings she had done using pictures she had taken of Pepper some time ago. Pepper had forgotten all about the photos, being used to having people ask for a pic. This woman pulls out her phone to show the images, babbling with high enthusiasm about her Pepper paintings. Turns out these were not just small studies…they measured 3 or 4 feet across. Can you imagine that? Someone snaps your photo and gets so inspired as to create not one, but an entire series of very large paintings!?!?  Such is the life of Pepper!

Not too long ago she contemplated changing her hairstyle to something more normal. This was to please someone in her life that was uncomfortable with them. We, her friends, her buddies were aghast! Her pom poms are so much a part of her it would be like an amputation, unnatural and grieve worthy should they be snipped. Thank goodness she snapped out of it!!

Next week the two of us will be the featured artists at a new gallery in Seattle called Vernissage. Our show is aptly titled "Wild Things" with my wildlife and her seductive women gracing the walls. We decided to have a bit more fun than usual that evening by handing out brightly colored "pigtails" for attendees to wear. It should create a delightfully carnival atmosphere of fun!!