This Artist's Grandpa Died And This Was The Best Way He Could Think To Celebrate His Life
by N/A, 10 years ago |
3 min read
Artist Lee John Phillips is no stranger to commitment. For the majority of his life, he's painted, drawn, and design tirelessly - for pleasure and work - nearly every single day. But recently, he's committed to work on something far more sentimental than usual.Â
Roughly 20 years ago, his grandfather passed away. Having made a lasting impression on Phillips, the artist decided to pay tribute to him - a very large, very special tribute. His grandfather, who was an avid tinkerer and handyman, had a shed chock full of various tools, parts, and keepsakes. After sorting through them, Phillips felt compelled to preserve them, so he's drawing them all - all 100,000+ of them.
“My grandfather passed away… and my grandmother treats [the shed] as a mausoleum.â€
“The things he salvaged and collected in jars are amazing, they should be seen. That’s why I’m putting myself through this.â€
“Neither she or the shed will be around forever. I’d like to preserve it for my family.â€
“Some days I’ve done 15 hours, others, I’ve snatched 10 minutes. But it is every spare second I have.â€
“Sometimes I get tested. I know I’m being tested but it doesn’t make it any easier.â€
“Then I finish a jam jar and it feels great. I see them lined up, tagged, numbered and ready to go home. It makes it easier to push on.â€
“I already have to have physio for the toll it’s taking on my body.â€
"About 5% done so far!â€
With roughly 5,000 of over 100,000 parts complete...
Phillips knows he'll be working on the project for some time.
Actually, about 4-5 years, by his estimation.
And as tedious and time-consuming as the whole endeavor is...
It's one that's well worth the investment for Phillips, who wants to give his grandfather the tribute he truly deserves.
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