19. Speaking of Erin’s artist friends, she became friends with an artist named Ben Salus, whom she’d worked with at Trader Joe’s. Erin really admired Ben, as a person and as an artist. We went to an art show of his once and bought this really cool piece he did about Israel. Once, we even commissioned a piece about our dog, Layla, and we had these two paintings up in our bedroom ever since then; we both really loved them. Ben was teaching an art class at a co-op in Chicago and asked Erin if she would want to be a model for his class. Erin was intrigued by the idea. Besides her desire to contribute to and support the artistic community, her being artistic herself, as well as wanting to help her friend and be apart of his art class, she also viewed it as an opportunity to confront her body image issues. Many people might not know this, but Erin struggled her whole life, to varying degrees, with body image. Sometimes it would get so bad that she would become bulimic. When she was presented with an opportunity to get completely naked in front of a room full of strangers, we talked a lot about it and she told me that she thought it might help her to confront these issues, to some degree. I went with her to the first class to support her and ended up getting to sit on the class and participate. It was a positive experience for Erin, she said it felt great to have her naked body treated like a work of art and to be viewed in an almost detached way, free of judgement and sexual connotations; that she felt more confident and open after modeling for the classes. These are the charcoal sketches I did of her… of course they’re not very good because I have no artistic talent whatsoever. Believe me, any redeeming quality they may have is due partly to the expert guidance of a very talented artist and teacher, Ben, and because the subject of the sketches happens to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever met who I happened to love more than anything.
What a beautiful way to honor Erin on her birthday. Thank you for continuing to keep her spirit alive and always sharing your love for her. Your words are genuine and thoughtful, something she always appreciated. The coffee mugs were a Christmas gift from me, with the thought you guys would each have one. She could not wait to use them, Lol. The pure vulgarity alone was enough to make that mug her favorite! Love you Aaron, I think of you, and her every day. -Jen
Thank you, Jen! I thought they were a gift and I’m happy to know they were from you. I’m keeping her vulgarity alive and still using that mug these days. I love and think about you, too, and I know that she lives on in your heart, so thank you for keeping her spirit alive, as well.