Strangers by Birth; Sisters Through Art

In the years before my mother became seriously ill with Alzheimer's, she often brought up the subject of what would happen to me once she was gone. How would I live, support myself, who would I love, and who would love me? My answers were always the same. I'll leave New Castle, and merely go back to work as the legal assistant I had been for almost 40 years. I didn't even consider real estate, because it just wasn't my passion anymore. Living, however, was.

But, in time both our lives changed. I eventually gave up full time work to be home to care for her and help my aging Aunt Thelma, as well. Soon, it was apparent, that my plans were not exactly going to come to light – What do they say; tell God your plans, and he laughs. He laughed hard.

The night after her funeral, I sat in the living room with a hot cup of tea, watching the oncoming blizzard from the front door. And I wondered to myself, “Just what are you going to do now, Stacey?” I had no answer, and I stood frozen in fear, loneliness and uncertainty. I had no clue.

About an hour later, I was checking my emails when I as alerted that I had made a sale on Etsy. That was no big deal; I made lots of sales that year – usually, small $5-$10 painted cards or a drawing now and then. I wasn't too excited, decided to read the email rather than wait until morning. Yes, it was a sale – a substantial sale – a good sale – better than any one I'd had to date. Intrigued, I read the transaction details, and saw the name of the customer; Vicki Moore. My mother's maiden name was Moore. This person lived in Washington, DC. You have to know me and my family – we're always looking for signs and signals from beyond – Everything – and I mean EVERY thing – is a message or omen or sign from spirit – or dead relatives. I immediately thought, “Mom set that sale up!”

My customer's order was all over the place. She selected note cards, drawings, paintings – most notably, an oil pastel of a woman with green hair on black card stock. I was so grateful – even more so when she sent me a photo of how she had staged my humble artwork in her beautiful home. I was in awe because this was so new to me, and she was clearly a collector of amazingly unique art. What did she want with my primitive experimental work? But want it, she did.

Over the last three years, Vicki Moore has become one of my prized art collector clients, a patron, and most importantly, my very dear friend. She has championed me through some tricky times when I questioned my own abilities, praised my art and shared her amazingly colorful life with me as well. Much of my inspiration comes from her and some of the fabulous exotic places she's lived on this planet.

Last winter, Vicki offered to bring me down to Miami where she spends much of the season, with the added perk of being able to attend Miami's noted Art Basel. If you don't know what that is, please Google it; I'll just say it's huge in the contemporary art world. Alas, at the last minute, I was unable to travel due to health issues. But, she didn't let me off the hook that easy. When I opened my solo exhibit at the Art Association of Henry County (Indiana) in May of this year, my friend journeyed to New Castle to be with me for my opening reception. I counted her among my few close friends who were able to be there with and for me, and I never will forget that. That was also the first time we had met in person!

We spent the remainder of that weekend holed up in a hotel room in Downtown Indianapolis, talking about life, our similarities, art, and our remaining hopes and dreams. It was a time I will always cherish. Again, it came at the right time in my life – when I needed some positive reinforcement – and a chance to see if my wings could still fly. The friendship we forged over the last two years has grown.

Love is Finding Stacey Art at Vicki's Door!

During Hurricane Irma, Vicki made the (silly) decision to remain in Miami for reasons still unclear to me, despite pleas from her husband, friends and family. She waited out the storm, in her 6^th floor condo as we texted and called throughout the weekend. That was when I understood the value of our friendship – I was scared. She said she wasn't – but, she was. When the storm died down on Monday, she called to say she was just fine and was working on her personal jewelry line (she makes cool stuff!) … as if nothing had happened.

So, to this day, Vicki Moore continues to inspire me – sending me articles on art, galleries and other musings. Most importantly, she continues to share photos with me of how she stages vignettes and decorates with my art. I really appreciate those messages.

So, if my mother is wondering how things are going, I hope she knows, there is another Ms. Moore in my life – another gem along with my scattering of beautiful friends who have remained with me over the years. I am surrounded by love, support and inspiration. I only hope I can give back to ALL of them, what they have given me. I still don't know what I'm going to do. At almost 64, where do I go; what shall I do? It's never too late to start over, nor is it ever too late to realize your dreams – no matter where or what they are.

Published in The Courier-Times, Sept. 2017