Artist Statement:
Memories of Pop
I didn’t always have a close relationship with my grandfather, when my grandmother passed it was if the vale of “control” lifted which allowed me to truly get to know him. My grandparents were collectors of many, many, many things, which is a polite way of saying hoarders. They were the most dedicated hoarding couple I had ever seen or known. But with this, my grandfather’s brilliant mind and unwavering passion for troubleshooting and problem solving was nurtured. I fondly recall his talent for repurposing old things to make them new, tinkering in a dimly lit part of the barn. This ability and trait runs strongly in my family, my father shares this, and I’m grateful to possess it as well. I guess that’s one of many reasons he became a rocket scientist. I remember feeling immense joy for the honor of capturing his portrait. A thought echoed in my mind, “It’s not every day someone can say they photographed a rocket scientist,” and he’s my grandfather; how special is that? I have fond childhood memories of learning how to milk the goats, feed the chickens and ducks, and riding the tractor trailer while sitting atop bales of hay. The early mornings on a farm as a seven or eight-year-old may not be missed, but the joy of spending time with my Pop at the wheel of the tractor is a memory I cherish always. As well as the way my Pop recounted memories from over 70 years back with such incredible detail and clarity. I listened to these stories countless times as many of us did, each time feeling as captivated as the first. The way he seamlessly transitioned from one tale to the next made those stories important memories. I deeply miss the sound of his voice narrating his account of the past.
Brandy Sebastian
Memories of Pop
I didn’t always have a close relationship with my grandfather, when my grandmother passed it was if the vale of “control” lifted which allowed me to truly get to know him. My grandparents were collectors of many, many, many things, which is a polite way of saying hoarders. They were the most dedicated hoarding couple I had ever seen or known. But with this, my grandfather’s brilliant mind and unwavering passion for troubleshooting and problem solving was nurtured. I fondly recall his talent for repurposing old things to make them new, tinkering in a dimly lit part of the barn. This ability and trait runs strongly in my family, my father shares this, and I’m grateful to possess it as well. I guess that’s one of many reasons he became a rocket scientist. I remember feeling immense joy for the honor of capturing his portrait. A thought echoed in my mind, “It’s not every day someone can say they photographed a rocket scientist,” and he’s my grandfather; how special is that? I have fond childhood memories of learning how to milk the goats, feed the chickens and ducks, and riding the tractor trailer while sitting atop bales of hay. The early mornings on a farm as a seven or eight-year-old may not be missed, but the joy of spending time with my Pop at the wheel of the tractor is a memory I cherish always. As well as the way my Pop recounted memories from over 70 years back with such incredible detail and clarity. I listened to these stories countless times as many of us did, each time feeling as captivated as the first. The way he seamlessly transitioned from one tale to the next made those stories important memories. I deeply miss the sound of his voice narrating his account of the past.
Brandy Sebastian
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