A tribute to an artist

2014 – around the festival of Pongal. “Tomorrow is Pongal. Why didn’t you take a leave today? Oh sorry, maybe you don’t have cleaning tasks or rituals performed like us? Working women don’t pay attention to the tradition. So maybe it’s easier for you!” I could find the sarcasm in my colleague’s words. I did nothing but smiled. The thoughts in my mind triggered me draft my post, “From a working woman’s heart!” I had posted it in my then company’s blog corner and it had the maximum hits.

About a week later, an e-mail popped up. “This post is thought provoking. I see the positivity in your post. Keep blogging”. I was interested to know who this was who took time to read my blog and send an e-mail. I could see he had his blogspace too. I was going through his posts and found that he was an artist from the US and his pieces were great. I was interested to read his blogs too. I had also subscribed to his blogs.

I read few of his posts now and then. We had exchanged few thoughts too. In about a year, I was reading his post where he mentioned that he was selling his art pieces for discounted rates. His art was amazing. Although I am not a great artist nor a person who could understand the minuteness of arts, I could still see some uniqueness in his artwork.

About few weeks later, I got an e-mail that there was a new entry on his blogsite. As I opened with a thought to see his new art, I was disappointed to see that it was a post from his wife that he had a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. Later she had also mentioned that he was diagnosed of Brain tumor. I could do nothing but pity him. What a storm must have been in his family at the moment? I thought to myself. I kept him in prayers too.

My heart felt heavy to read his posts about his doctor’s appointment, MRI scan reports, his paralysis and other health issues. However he also kept his energy in his blogposts. He constantly continued his spray paintings and was posting them too. My mind was reluctant to follow his posts any further as I did not have the courage.

This morning, I got reminded of him after a couple of years now. I felt urged to look at his posts too. As I opened the blog site, I could see just about 3-4 posts that I had not read. I was worried for a moment. I then read a note that said “Ray passed away on 5.20.2015”. My heart palpitated. My hands were turning cold. I was reminded of his words “Your posts are thought provoking and positive”.

I built in some courage and read his last few posts. I could see the energy in his last few posts. He had explained his stage and progress of the disease. In the same post, he had continued about his paintings, his techniques and the sale. The posts appeared to be written with passion and pride about his paintings.

“Your posts are thought provoking and positive” this was not his words to me now, rather my words to him. How could someone daringly face death? This word has always been a nightmare to many of us. However positive I may seem, I am not sure if I would have the courage and energy as he had.

I further wanted to know who he was. I was surprised to know that he is a world renowned Spray paint artist. One of his posts read “Brain scan.. Not as pretty as my artwork”. “What a man? What an energy?” I told myself. How could one smile at his situation and still continue what he was passionate about? Isn’t this something we need to learn? Maybe if you put your heart and soul on something, you would even be masked at your death! His passion in painting made him feel so energetic!

Most of us keep complaining of our lives. Rather than focusing on what doesn’t work, isn’t it a good practice to focus what we love the most and count the blessings in life? I am dumbstruck while writing this post.

His name rightly depicts what he is. He is still living in his posts. Ray, as his name says, is definitely a Ray of hope; a Ray of positivity; a Ray of sunshine. My biggest tribute to Ray Ferrer!

https://urbanwallart.wordpress.com/