"Mountains"
Everytime I climb a mountain I collect the top and put it in my bag. I learned something. Then I approach the next mountain knowing what I know. When you learn things you also have to learn where to put them and how. The shapes in the left corner represent that childhood game of fitting shapes into the proper places. I’m approaching the next mountain with a door. The grey character represents the dead or homeless. Or those that had more life to live. There are keyholes in the eye sockets representing finding the key to unlock what would help or change the world in this aspect. What can I do positively? How can I make a real difference? I don’t fully know yet but I’ll always try my best and keep going.
"Black Jesus"
There's a kid they call black Jesus. He doesn't bruise easily and is wearing different layers of clothes. Different hats. Someone or some people beat him up in the bathroom with a pipe or pole at the shelter the other night and he came into the center today hurting. Didn’t show it. All these hard things happening are a key to a bright future if used right. That’s why there's a key arm. At the same time he has no arms and no control. The creature hurting/hitting him has an empty stomach. They’re hurting too, that's why they beat people up. Something is missing.
"Ben"
My friend Ben Busy is bald. He was pissed but happy when I showed him this card. Next to him is his best friend Pax who is also his pet dog. There is a paint brush above because most of the hand painted signs around Seattle are done by Ben. He also always rocks these circular steampunk glasses. Cheers Ben.
"Ban Nana"
A creature who absolutely loves bananas. He has a plant for a nose and part of his face.
"Teardrop"
There have been a lot of nights where I’m the last one in a space with nowhere that I’d like to go afterwards that’d feel like home. This card is referring to a night at the paint studio and some nights at the nightclub. I always try to play it cool, wave bye to everyone and pretend like I'm happy or it's no bother to stay. I’ll just crash here for the night. Then when I hear the last door close and it’s quiet I’ll cry a little. I signed this one twice because I’ll always have myself. The E and A stand for someone who recognized this recently and let me stay with them even if it’s not always convenient.
"Hope"
There is a window with four things. The top left is an ocean. I'd like to live beside an ocean one day. The ocean can be both peaceful and then during storms, powerful. The top right window pane shows a bottle being poured out. I don’t like alcohol or drugs very much but use them to cope when living the life I live. I can’t wait to afford to rock wall climb or de compress in a home I’ve created instead. The bottom right is a girl. To have a girl I love deeply one day would be lovely. Love and intimacy are something I’m not used to yet so it’d be an amazing journey. The little guy with brown hair is me. I have red around my mouth because I’m speaking with my heart. Eyes blue to focus on the Hope in front of me. The final window pane is black because without darkness the good could not be illuminated.
"Champagne"
I am popping a bottle of champagne and am slightly weary. There is a ladder leading up representing the societal ladder you climb with money or recognition. There is a block that says soul because I wonder if this journey I’m embarking on is the right one in order to grow who I am and my soul. As of now I think so. The person celebrating with me is neither friend nor foe. What a strange trip.