Day 8

January 22, 2015
Glue Guns
Day 8: Glue Guns

Ann believes, “If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it.” It’s one of her numerous principles that no one dares challenge. I doubt anyone ever will as, quite honestly, the whole concept makes perfect sense.  I’m probably going to catch an earful when these words finally see the light day. Having said, “Quite honestly” just seemed to fit the last sentence and it’s more of a slipup than it is anything. I should know better than to use those words.

You see, even as I’m typing this, I can hear Ann behind me saying, “Really?! ‘Quite honestly?!’ If you’re not going to start and end a thought honorably then why bother?  I can’t stand people wasting my time…” I could probably just rewrite all this, but I’ve always found her need for authenticity to be endearing, plus it’s about time that I begin gently preparing all of you for what’s yet to come.

Back in the olden days, when I first met Ann, I remember walking into her apartment for the first time. She had all the popular black, rod iron and glass furniture with signature light oak pieces scattered throughout. When I say “popular,” I mean the style of furniture you had to pick up at actual furniture stores and the style that was being pushed at the time. In those day, IKEA wasn’t even a hint of a whisper so if you wanted furniture for your home, you went to a local shop in hopes to find the style that caught your eye in the beginning episodes of MTV’s fairly new “Real World” or you were trying to one-up your best friend’s newly acquired set.

I don’t believe I had time to do a full scan of her living room before I noticed her light oak coffee table with embellishments laced from one end to the other. It was cute and Ann had all these vibrant colors appended to the surface with her favorite shades of purple taking the lead.  After close inspection, I quickly noticed she had hot glued the decorations onto the table.

To date, I estimate our house is responsible for well over five thousand dollars in glue stick purchases. Super glue never stood a chance. If it breaks in my house, give Ann three minutes to heat the gun and presto… the fix is in! Now, I can say she’s burnt her hand on that thing on more than one occasion. “Eh… it’s a necessary evil,” she’ll tell you.

But it’s not all about what breaks. Ann’s endless aspirations to create have made her the front runner for the coveted DIY world championship belt. I’m sure as the day is long that if I went downstairs right now, Ann and my youngest would be making something and one of our four glue guns would be plugged in, resting on a magazine beside them.

So in honor of all that’s broken and in all that’s been fixed, I present this glue gun. Every time I see a glue gun now, I look forward to a magnificence that could only be delivered by her. I know what’s broken she will always fix just as quickly as what’s not will be enriched and most importantly, I see her, just as unconditionally as I did when I first laid eyes on her… almost eighteen years ago.

 

Medium: Watercolors
Size: 6 x 4 (inches)
Materials: 90lb Cold Press Paper
Frame: Mini Wooden Shadow Box with Glass (4 5/8"W x 6 5/8"T x 1.25"D)
Completed: Monday, October 6, 2014

Artist: Adam Kiger
Represented By: Park View Gallery
Artist's Website: www.adamkiger.com

 

Who is Ann and what is 31 flavors of love?!