Sir William Bezek

Yes, that's right...I've taken the liberty of "Knighting" William. I think he deserves it. And if anyone feels otherwise? (Liz...) They (or she) can suck it.

***CAUTION: BRAGGING CURVES AHEAD***

So, Will's Birthday was September 28th and we headed up to Petaluma for Halloween and Vine, which Will was a featured artist in. This was his second year.

He's a painter and sculptor and tailor and carpenter. He has sold his oil paintings out of galleries in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. And some more of his incredible work graces our walls and I truly never tire of looking at them.

Some people refer to some artists as a "Jack of all trades, master of none". But, it's the contrary with Will. He is a master of MANY trades. And I'm continually humbled in his artistic shadow.

Does it mean that I want to choke him less? No. But it does mean that I think he's an incredible man. One can still wish to choke incredible people, no?

This pic is from the website for "Halloween and Vine", which you can find him on. He sculpted and built and sewed everything that you see in that photo with him. Even down to the 19th century vest, trousers and coat and tails that he was wearing. (He later blew out the crotch of said trousers while dancing in them drunk last Halloween with NO UNDERWEAR ON, because the pants were wool and they were "hot". I came around the corner from the bar, having gotten more drinks for everyone, and SURPRISE!, there was his bare bottom peeking out the back of his pants for the rest of the dance floor to see. Actually, it wasn't "peeking"...it was staring.)

He handmade the clothes that the witch is wearing. He sculpted and painted that witch AND goat from scratch. The goat is even anatomically correct down to his woo-haa.

There's a clock in the background with a screaming face. He sculpted and painted the face and built the clock.

See? Humbled I am, I tell you.

A couple of years ago, he built a LIFE SIZE horse drawn hearse from scratch, which if you are in attendance at the Halloween Blogger Bash, you'll see it. He also built it so that it comes apart in pieces and can fit in the closet on our patio.

At Halloween time, we actually have vans full of senior citizens come to our place to see the elaborate displays that Will builds outside. While the sweet old folk are "OOOOO"ing and "AAAWWWWEEEE"ing over everything, I'm usually quietly creeping among the walkers and wheelchairs relieving them of any spare cash or change that they might be holding onto in their wallets or purses. I like to think of it as admission.

Hey! Now before you go judging me, I think that they should feel lucky that I didn't grease the sidewalk before their arrival, which would make my job a whole lot easier!

See? Philanthropic to the bone.

So, Will did it again this year. His original work at Halloween and Vine:

Some people started lining up at 4 a.m. 4 A.M.!! ISN'T THAT CRAZY?? And when the doors open at 9 a.m., they literally RUSH in. It's amazing. I stand there slack-jawed. It's like the frenzy that people get in when a new fancy toy or phone comes out. Except these people don't dismember anyone, even though they look as though they might.

A young woman came up to Will at his table this year and she was gushing over him and said, "My younger sister thinks you're a rock star!" (Both girls were mid-teenagers) "She saw you last year and our Mom bought that incredible bust you created of that skeleton woman and my sister just thinks you're AMAZING and so do I and so does my Mom and my sister is afraid to come over and talk to you! I keep telling her that you're really nice and kind and everything, but she's real scared."

It was terribly cute, but I thought that I was going to have to say, "You and your mom and your sister's crazed-up vaginas need to back AWAY from the table and get out of here before I start pepper-spraying the lot of you!"

But seriously, it was so sweet. And I was just beaming for Will. The young woman finally drummed-up the courage to come over and Will was blushing. He handed her a complimentary CD that he had made for his favorite patrons and fellow artists and she just looked star-struck.

As she beamed and he beamed, I did as well...

with immense pride.

Because he's my rock star.