Saturday, April 26, 2008

THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP

"Not anybody and everybody can be your friend. It must be someone as close to you as your skin, someone who imparts color, drama, meaning to your life." - Henry Miller

WHAT IS A FRIEND? I like Henry Miller description of a friend - "Someone who imparts color, drama and meaning to your life." Someone said that the ideal friendship is between people who share the same interests like art and writing. For me, one of the greatest joys of blogging is gaining friends who are also artists and writers. They constantly impart color to my life. They also impart drama. I choose my friends because I believe it is better to cultivate a few close friendships than to maintain many superficial acquaintances. One of the artistic friends I met through blogging is Lloyd Bradbury. I am sure he's no stranger to you because I often promoted his art blog. Since the beginning I know he's going to be a good friend. What a coincidence that our blogs have the same format! When I read about his life story, I was deeply touched. He is blind but overcame his depressing disability through painting. His life story inspired me so much, because like him I struggled with a difficult disability (hearing loss). We have different obstacles but share the same goal in life -"to be creative and artistic, no matter what." I am grateful to have him as a friend, one who helps me to realize how beautiful our imperfect world is. Lloyd encourages me by dropping on my blog at least twice a week. He shares lots of nice words and stories. His vibrant abstract paintings make my world alive too. He's a friend who adds meaning to my life. Although the color of our skins are not the same, yet amazingly we clicked and became friends.

A FRIENDLY GIFT Last week-end, my husband and I arrived home at midnight from our long trip to San Francisco and Pacifica. I was exhausted but I couldn't help myself from opening a huge envelope lying among my mails waiting for my arrival. I smiled! It was from Lloyd. He sent me a print of his painting. I was...... speechless. I didn't expect he was serious when he asked for my mailing address. I am an artist but I deeply appreciated a gift of art from fellow artist. I gazed at it thrice before I dashed to bed and fall sound asleep.

A PAINTING BY LLOYD IRVING BRADBURY- This painting is untitled by I named it "BLUE CACTUS." Lloyd sent me this painting. He told me...."This print I sent you is one of a kind. The sketch was larger and torn up as it was on a scrap paper as a doodle for another background. It was not complexed but was created for YOU. I thought of cactus plants that your inspiration gave me. "
A MILLION THANKS TO YOU LLOYD!...... "I will always treasure this print and art you created specially for me. What a splendid imagination you have! How great to have an artistic friend like you. I am happy that you've been inspired by one of my cactus paintings."

If you are interested to know more about Lloyd Bradbury and his paintings please check his art blog at the above URL. He's a wonderful self-taught artist and works with mixed media. You might become friends too.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a great post about frienship.Like you, I choose my friends. You're fortunate to have an artist friend like lloyd.

Ebb Tide said...

AA-thanks for your comment. I think if you really like to have good friends, you have to be generous.The relationship should be strong on give and take. No room for envy or jealousy.

SandyCarlson said...

This is a great post about friendship as well as about the potential the Internet and blogging present to us to make the most of our interaction with others. We connect on the level of ideas. We are our truest selves here.

I enjoyed your post, and I cherish what you have to say and your visits to my blog. You're an angel, Ebb Tide.

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy-Once again, thanks for your wonderful comment. Like you I cherish your comments on my blog. You encourage me to keep on blogging. Most of all I appreciated your faithfulness in supporting my blog.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post on the art of friendship.It's true that not anybody or everybody could be our friends. We must have the same interest.

Ebb Tide said...

To AA- thanks for your friendly comment. Someday, I hope to know your more. Who knows, you might me one of those future angelic friends
to be.

Lloyd Irving Bradbury said...

you make me happy

Ebb Tide said...

Lloyd- I am glad you're happy. Are you teaching your grandkids how to paint?

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I came back to reread this wonderful post. Like returning to a well for a second drink!

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy-Like your analogy about my blog and a well. Beautiful thought indeed.

Anonymous said...

I agree that a good friend brings color to our life.I could imagine my life without such kind of friend. Lloyd's art is splenndid.

Ebb Tide said...

Angel- You're blessed to have friends who bring color to your life. Keep and treasure them. Life w/out color is DULL. We only live once.