Special notes reminds us

Pois                                               Sarah Brown, 2013

Robert Pois was not just any history professort; historians face a dichotomy of knowing and understanding for the human race that is both rewarding and a heavy burden; they carry our collective memory. He made sure you left his courses critically thinking, despite his topics and advanced scholarship on World War I. One summer day I visited him at his home. The visit was one of many, but this particular time he inscribed his book he wrote on WWI and gave me a copy of Waiting for Godot; maybe he was telling me not to wait?  On the day of my graduation, I remember how we were laughing and trying to pose for the photograph outside the history department building. I gave someone one of those old disposable film cameras. He has long been a person of encouragement, and this framed portrait of us sits on my work desk. Pois passed away in March of 2004. 

Thou Mayest, the inscriptions I have kept

Intimate notes inscribed on the inside of books are my new addition to my handwritten note series. I know I had titled the series Graphi, but am now realizing that as the body of work is "evolving," I must recognize that I still need to keep a list of possibilities. This list is also a resource at other times for some inspiration when I want to photograph or draw, but need some ideas to get started.

Thou Mayest                                            Sarah Brown, 2014

Many years ago, my childhood friend, Courtney, gave me this paperback of East of Eden. She was my dearest and closest confident for many years; she stayed with me for the initial weeks after my mother's death; she showed me the beauty of Sharpies; she had the best handwriting.  Her sentiment of Thou Mayest tells me of her unconditional love for me, and I am reminded that my friends from childhood are some of my most precious treasures. They know me.