Posts Tagged ‘last cigarette’

Madison

Monday, May 4th, 2009

I’ve been working simultaneously on the artworks and have finished Madison’s too. I’ve printed out Madison’s goodbye letter shown on either side of her cigarette. I wanted to create a feeling of a declaration being made where Madison renounces cigarettes for good. I feel there is a firmness and rigidity in the design that reflects how she feels about quitting and moving forward. Apologies for the shadows – one of the photo bulbs blew just as I was about to take it. I hope you like it Madison!

Madison's Last Cigarette & Goodbye Letter

Madison's Last Cigarette & Goodbye Letter

Shirley

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Finally I created an artwork for Shirley. If you look back at the package that she sent to me some time back she sent me a lot of self motivational messages and I included one of those on the main focus of the artwork. You Can Because You Can Believe  You Can. What a powerful message. Shirley’s last cigarette is also included underneath the gauze as is her goodbye letter. I kept the artwork very simple so as not to detract from the great message.

Shirley's last cigarette

Shirley's last cigarette

Madison!

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

I had yet another new package in the mail on Saturday – this time from Madison. Her quit day was Feb. 24th and she is working hard on keeping that quit. Good for her.

This is her goodbye letter and a picture of the package she sent me.

dear smokes,
i am going to miss the feeling of you between my lips. i am going to miss the ‘relaxation’ feeling you always gave me. i am going to miss having you for my comfort zone. i am going to miss sharing you with friends. i am going to miss the fun times of flicking you out the window trying to hit a mud puddle. i am going to miss your ashes in my ashtrays. i am going to miss throwing your empty pkgs away. i am going to miss your butt for other reasons as well. thats only to name a few. but most of all and most importantly, i have got to leave you behind. i am making new changes and there is no way i can let you come with me. i’m sorry. i have chest pains which i know i never had when i quit. i can have cleaner teeth, fresher breath, shinier hair, more friends, i can have it all, money in my pocket, new clothes in my closet, new CD’s on my dresser, candy on my chair where your ashtray sits, i can get a hair cut, new shoes, i can walk to the library for books to keep you away from me (and i’ll get a lawyer if i have to), my home wont be smoky smelling, i can do a lot of things that i cant do with you as my friend. so i guess what i am saying here, gosh this is hard, is goodbye. i just dont love you anymore. i dont need you anymore. i fell in love with someone else. i love me, madison! i now need to care for me not anyone else. just me.
bye
madison_sm
Madison also had her ‘burial’ service for her last cigarettes and this is her obituary to them:
GENERIC UVALL BRANDS
Generic Uvall Brands, 27, of Florida, formerly of Sandwich and Sheridan, Il passed away on Tuesday, July 29,2008 at home after a long battle with cancer. He was born June  30, 1981 to Misty Light (Long) and Marlboro (‘Red’) Long and was loved very much by his adoptive parents Awl Brands and Menny More.
He will be remembered for his chemical dependancy by his special partners Bic and Cricket Lighters.
He is survived by his non-smoking wife, Madison, his sons Kool and Camel, his daughters Virginia Slim and Misty Menthol.
He is proceeded in death by his cousins Terreyton, and Viceroy, and an Uncle GPC & mother-in law, Doral.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 30, 2008 at the Florida Fake Funeral Home of Oak Tree Ground near Roots at 9:00 a.m. Upon his request, there will be no prior visitation. Memorials may be directed to cigarette companies of your choice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FFS at ALA
*All available information is given here, please do not call and ask any questions. He really wont be missed by many.
Thanks Madison!

Great News

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

I have been awarded a solo exhibition at the Erik Lauritzen Gallery, at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada during February/March 2011. That is truly wonderful news! My goal is to collect 100 last cigarettes and GROW my Wall of Honor – it will be so beautiful.

Also, I have been collecting materials for my next phase of this project – to create an installation. I just have to firm up my ideas before I start. Also because I have no idea where it might be exhibited, how I would store, move it, I am kind of in a quandary as to what materials I should use and how to keep the cost down. I’m excited though :-)  

Temple for Erica

Monday, August 25th, 2008

Erica has 7 weeks today – I hope you like the artwork to celebrate that achievement. Once again I used the temple format, used the gauze, bells, nails etc as a visual language to describe the experience of quitting i.e. one of celebration , death (of old habits, dependancies, beliefs), healing and renewal, with temptation always lurking around.


How do you make someone’s day?

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Erica made my day! Today I received a new cigarette in the mail from a new buddy from The American Lung Association. I had no idea that Erica had sent it and of course I was thrilled. Her package was wonderful and I especially liked the card that she wrote on.

Erica – stay strong and hang in – you WILL do it and thank you so much!