Artwork by Joe Ely
We have few regrets around here. In fact I don’t believe in regrets. Take responsibility, learn the lesson, and move forward. But we do have one that kicks us in the ass from time to time and that is not buying the above piece.
We put together what is still one of my favorite exhibits in 2014 BIG HAIR & SPARKLY PANTS - a survey of what we think about Texas. It was at Webb Gallery in Waxahachie and it included so many of our favorite Texas artists from Rex Klingerhoefer, Dirk Fowler, Robb Kendrick, Fort Lonesome to Joe Ely. and others.
We exhibited this guitar with pencils from hotels and his travels while on tour. We also showed his photos made to look and recall his short jail stay in his past.
Having a gallery and a small business brings times when you can barely pay the bills and your mind wonders wtf and should I be getting a real job, but your heart assures you to carry on the fun and stay positive. We felt great doing this show and did a screening of Dirt Road of Psychedelia in Austin during the run of the exhibit. For the opening, thank goodness Saint Arnold’s brewery supplied the beer. But we really wanted that piece by Joe Ely, but truly did not have the money to purchase it. It did not sell in the exhibit (yes many folks missed that opportunity) but we were recalling this morning about what a nice visit we had with Joe and his lovely wife Sharon when we returned the piece to them.
So regrets, we’ve had a few, but too few to mention.
Rest in Peace Joe Ely. I hope you are in the ether somewhere playing music with another dear friend we lost this past week, Raul Malo. It is so sad to lose these vibrant, talented creative people who are such treasures of creativity and inspiration in our world, especially today’s world. Shining stars who needed to give their bodies a rest and could not continue life without music. We are the lucky ones who carry their music forward for generations.
I really loved knowing Joe and Raul. They were both kind and passionate in their lives and loves. Both will be greatly missed.