Theo’s Tail, 7x9.5”, original date forgotten, printed 2023.

Thelonius Chipmunk - Theo - was my first furred dependent. Tilly’s older brother she never knew. Theo was named after my cousin who was a Trappist monk. My cousin’s birth name was Joseph (named after his father), but his chosen name was Francis (named after the animal saint), and my brothers and I never knew which of his names to use, so we called my cousin Thelonius (after Thelonius Monk) because he also was a Julliard graduate who gave up his renowned musical career to join the monastery. The two Theloniuses (Theloniai?) shared: bright eyes and premature passing.

When Theo died I sorta lost it. The only one who could break through was Simhon: while I was weeping in the dirt next to Theo's grave, he came over and patted me on the head and graced me with words of comfort (too sacred to share here, sorry). But still: I cried for three days straight. Imagine Old-World wailing. It was the first time realizing truly I have a screw loose.

Theo now sleeps in the garden covered by toad lilies and garlic ramps and sea stones.  I know that no matter where I am: this house will be a home forever because (during one of my perpetual questionings of place and belonging) R told me so: “You have a dead thing buried in the backyard,” he once gently countered. Words of love and understanding.To conclude: Theo's tail: it was a work of art. As someone who's spent the better part of 11 years trying to make tiny things perfectly - here was a tiny thing that had made itself perfectly. It felt against all odds to have witnessed it.

 Archival giclée print on archival hot press smooth fine art paper, reproduced via high-resolution scans by Gango Custom Prints in Portland, Oregon.  The original drawing was created scrappily - with pencil, paint, collage, glue, mixed media, on found vintage flyleaf paper - so I’m excited to be able to share my drawings in a format that will endure.

 Prints are backed with acid-free cardstock and sleeved in clear plastic.  Price includes shipping within the continental USA via USPS.  For international sales, prior to purchase, please message me to adjust the price for international shipping rates.  For those in the Portland, OR area, message me if interested: I offer a $5 discount if you pick up from my studio in St Johns.

 Please note: all sales are final. In case of in-transit abuse: if a piece arrives to you in disarray, please take a photograph of the breakage and contact me within 24 hours of receiving your order.