Yesterday I awoke in such a funk I just wanted to pull the covers up over my head and never come out. I didn’t know why though… did I have a bad dream? Am I sick? What is causing me to regress into this darkness that I had just pulled myself out of last month?
Then I remembered….
I have been dreading this week for some time now. I had managed to put it out of my conscious thought, but It just lay in wait, behind the joy of the present, ready to rear It’s ugly head and strike with the precision of a coiled rattler, and just as venomous! Only this Diamond back has two heads!
One year ago ( yesterday ), I met the man that I was to marry, and live in bliss with… I thought! And three years ago ( today ), my first lover tragically died in a fire. WOW! what are the odds right? Curse you February!!
I had set aside these two days ( in my mind ) to explore both of these topics here, so even though I wasn’t thinking of them, the alarm in my head went off to remind me, gee thanks!! I hate any alarm, none of them are good! I want to sleep in the morning, and not know of the impending doom coming my way!! RIGHT? Okay, maybe that’s too extreme, besides if there had been alarms in the building maybe Chris would still be with us!
I only want to focus on Chris today. My break up isn’t important to anyone else, other than me.
If you don’t already know Him, please allow me to introduce you!
Chris Edward Kohli, was born on July 8, 1959 and was taken from us ( too soon ) on February 12, 2006. He was only 46 years old and in the beginning of a great career as one of Americas next best Artists! I met Chris in Amarillo, Texas, where He studied under Kirk Richards. Chris and I then moved to Minneapolis, Mn. to continue his education, under Richard Lack, As one of three students chosen to be involved in a grad program there. We moved before He was even accepted, that’s just the kind of man He was… Always up for an adventure, and positive that He would end on His feet! His sense of adventure, and excitement, always drew Him to the outgoing crowd, even though He was a very reserved man. Chris loved being “on the fringes of society” not in it! While living in Minneapolis, we had season tickets to the Opera, and also frequented the local punk club for shows. He loved going out and hearing live music. He once told me He did his best painting “Hung-over”, only then could he really focus on the work and not on what was happening around him. I being the cheapest of models ( free ), would sit for Him, holding some god awful pose for hours on end. We would listen to classical music, and He would tell me the history of the composer, and piece, Although it did help a little, I just wanted to move!!
Chris also was a great musician. He studied Piano in collage and would play on occasion at parties. He loved to go unwind by practicing at the collage.
He and I parted ways in 1990, When I went off to Culinary school, and He moved back to Ohio, where the commissions for His work were keeping Him very busy! He was so proud when I graduated from Culinary school. I flew him back to MPLS. for a thank you dinner where I prepared an eight course meal for Him and another friend, We all cried that night!! We stayed in contact for several years, until I moved one too many times, and lost my address book with his current information. I only found out about His passing after waking up one day and suddenly having the absolute need to get in touch with him. I Google’d His name and found out He was gone. A memorial in His name has been set up into give a scholarship to a high school student who is going on to study art!
I am lucky enough to have several original pieces of His and cherish them with all my heart! Every day I get to look at them and remember not only my time with Chris ( the man), but also Chris Kohli, The great Artist. I wish I could share the others with you, however they are to big to scan!
Please enjoy, and thanks!
James
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