In the studio

I was lucky enough to grow up down the block from Tom. When his garage doors were open I knew he was painting in his studio. Canvases covered the walls and floors, paint was everywhere, weed wafting down the block. Tom could work on everything all at once. But no matter how involved he was he would always invite me in. Standing in an artist's studio so close to where I was growing up was very inspiring. I could see the artist's dream is real right from my front porch. We would hang out surrounded by his work and he would let me talk about it. Ask about it. How it made me feel. He would tell me what he was trying to capture in his work and what was working and what wasn’t. He was a beautiful person and I will love him forever.

- Hannah Hooper