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Michelle and I wandered the street one day, snapping photos of random interesting
faces. Mostly we got homeless people. Then we wandered into a branch of the Ottawa Public
Library. This man worked there. We asked if we could take his picture, he said yes, then put
on his glasses and smiled. Snap!
I painted many paintings based on the homeless men we met -- mostly postcards, which I
mailed off to a bunch of strangers across the world.
I also painted "The Librarian". I thought I might give it to the man, but then I chickened
out. What if he took it as an insult? What if he didn't get it? What if he just thought I was
insane? How would I explain what I was doing?
So I held on to the art. Then I started up my website, and started scanning photos to put
up here. There was the painting of the librarian, as well as his photograph. Should I put it
up? Should I ask the man's permission first?
Whenever I am struck with a moral dilemma, I ask Michelle what I should do. This is
probably a bad idea. She thinks Mike Harris should be castrated and thrown in a prison cell for
the whole Walkerton affair.
Anyway, I asked her, "Should I ask his permission first?"
"Naw. If he sees it and hates it, he'll let you know, I'm sure."
I decided Michelle was right. Anyway, maybe he'd be amused to see his likeness up here.
Maybe it's exactly the sort of psychological experience he needs in order to achieve
enlightenment.
I still own this painting. If you want to buy it (whether you're the
librarian in question or not), please contact me.
We'll talk.
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