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IMAGE - Michael Dunn
"Survival Party" card
1993 - charcoal on paper - 8.5" x 11", folded to a card
Private collection



During the last four months of 1993, I went through some severe "emotional trauma", as they say, truly the most difficult period of my life. By December 28, I was feeling quite a bit better, and threw a big "Survival Party" for all those friends who had helped and encouraged me. During this period and as part of getting better, I had taken up sketching personal cards (always something to do with boats) for folks, and I drew the card above for everyone at the party, with the little poem below inside.

The other day while Paul was over checking out images for his site, I showed him this card, and he asked me to be a guest on the site, even called me an "artist" :) Thank you Paul, you're a good friend, just wanted to let you know.


LETTING YOU KNOW

You were once an "acquaintance" of mine
for days or years close as I would let you be
Inside I knew you were my friend -
even if I would never let you know

When it came time for my life to mend
From a single catastrophic blow
You forgot my aloof and distant air
And offered a word, a hug, a touch of hope

Now you are my friend and we both care
And I promise I'll always let you know

...Michael Dunn

IMAGE - Michael Dunn
Traditional Ship's Mats, as on the Tall Ships, made by Michael for each of his two children - Christmas 1997
Private collection

IMAGE - Stephanie & Natashs
Stephanie & Natasha with their Christmas gifts - 1997

I met Michael Dunn a few times over the past few years. He'd stopped by my tent a few times to look at my folk art and he seemed to taken with it. I never thought much of it, but it's always nice to have someone drop by.

In 1996 I started playing around with a computer. I had always been intimidated by them, but had taken some electronics and radar courses for my mate's ticket and figured I would try. I got my self hooked up to the internet and started lookin' at art galleries, I even came across some folk art galleries. I was kinda upset that people were selling folk art over the internet, I thought it took away from the art, so I hatched the idea to create a nonprofit gallery. A gallery that would promote folk art, since I sometimes brought my art into the schools I wanted to show some of the childrens art. I wanted to do a lot of things, but I had no money:>)

I went searching around for some one who could create a folk art gallery for me:>) Someone that was good with computers and someone willing to barter. After asking around, I heard of such a fellow by the name of Michael Dunn. Well now I don't want to bore you and to make a long story much shorter... I was over Michael's the other day and he showed me this card he had made for his friends with his lovely poem... and now like they say on that radio show... you know the rest of the story.

I'm happy I met Michael, I consider him a very good friend and I'm proud to have him in the "Art of my less folkey friends" gallery. PS: Michael did a wonderful job with the old red truck folk art gallery. Thanks Michael.

...Paul McFadden



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