Super Talented Friends

When being an adult starts to wear on my soul, which is often, I try to focus on the good points. One that frequently comes to mind is how cool it is when your group of friends suddenly becomes this network of people that have actual skill sets. In high school and college, your friends can't do much other than listen, and maybe give you a ride somewhere. But at this age, suddenly your friends have professional lives that you can take part in, and help them with whatever you've managed to learn since dodgeball. On Friday night, I went to see my friend Erin's opening at the Painted Bride Art Center on First Friday. She is so crazy talented that you want to be a little bit mad at her, but really you can't cause she's also so downright pleasant to be with. Take a look at some of this stuff (photographed by mildly buzzed off free wine me, so the pictures don't due it justice). For a better glimpse, look up Erin Murray on in liquid. I feel the need to add that these are oil on canvas, not photography.
This collection is called 'Unbuilt' which is a study of the various states of ruin our city is in. Erin and her man-child, Chris, lived in Northern Liberties, and now Fishtown, so the expert eye is well trained. The three of us became chums in the No-Libs, and as I walked around the exhibit, I thought I recognized every location. Turns out, I was only right on one of them. I guess Philly has its fair share of vacant lots, crumbling brick and security gates so you can feel at home in many areas of the city.
Here's why Erin is great. Have you ever looked at crumbling stucco, rust stains, cracked asphalt, shuttered storefronts and thought "wow, beautiful." I didn't think so. Considering my career revolves around fixing these things, I face a real existential dilemma, but none the less, she makes you notice the spectacle that is man made decay.
This one was a crowd favorite. Titles 'Southwest Philadelphia', it has an Alamo quality to it, but upon closer inspection, it is stucco, barred windows, and a union-built roof outline.

Chris and Erin being cute

I want to collect Erin's work like Pokemon, but alas, I am a poor non-profit sector CAD monkey saving to move to Japan, so I will have to wait. Erin told me she would give me a drawing as a gift when I get married. I think it would be easier to get a second job and just buy the art, but it does solve one problem for me. Now I have a third item to put in the 'pro' list in my opinion of marriage. The cons list is pretty intimidating, but now I have a solid three on the left. I think I'll put this one above love and below tax breaks. Ah, that's better.

After the show the gang reconvened in the usual places, namely St. Stephen's Green ('the bar' to those in my neighborhood). The Absolut girls were there promoting with free drinks. This went over very well, which brings me to my next talented friend. Anita's very own man-child, Josh (or shwa), is super adept at ruining a perfectly good photo by acting like a jackass. We took about 6, these were the two I liked best. Thanks Shwa!

Anita, Josh and Gail. As my Dad says, 2 out of 3 aint bad.

That'll do Shwa, that'll do.