Two Phil Epp columns at Saint Luke’s. Man we had to sweat this to get it right. Note MO River curling around both. One column points SW, in the direction of the Santa Fe Trail. The other points NW, in the direction of the Oregon Trail. The symbolism is inherent. Great job Phil, Terry Corbett, and the tile-laying dudes from Guatemala.

Last fall I began helping Isaac Tapia get his citizenship. Isaac grew up here but couldn’t go to college because he lacked that doc. Welll now he’s got it and can finish his education. We celebrated at Jim Leedy’s studio over curry chicken and tea.

Jim is getting old now as we all will, as we all have. But what a life he’s had as a celebrated Abstract Expresssionist, as a pal of William de Kooning’s (they once got into a wrestling match in a NY bar), as an instructor at the KC Art Institute.

I’ve been mentoring Isaac for 6 years, since we met via my educational program at Paseo Academy–an urban high school in KC that my foundation raises money. So damned proud that finally he can finish college without worry of being deported. That’s one purpose of the foundation: get urban kids in college and break the cycle of poverty.

We rescued Moses from a life of abuse and neglect in 2013. This sweet 2-minute video tells his story, and his transformation from a world of misery to one of love. You’d be amazed how much art that pup sells whenever he comes with me to the gallery.