Once upon a time, there was a peaceful village in a beautiful valley surrounded by green grassy hills, and the people who lived in the valley were happy.
Then one day, the evil bastards at US-West built a giant ugly billboard, the size of a 3 story building just cuz they could. "It's private land and we have rights. So go on about your daily business while we bounce microwaves at ya."
So, when the evil bastards weren't looking, the people from the peaceful village gathered a hundred gallons of paint, some brushes, some ladders, and some rope. And they trekked up the hill. And with their ladders, they climbed the evil, ugly microwave reflector, carrying their paint and brushes with them.
It took many, many hours, but they finished finally, and with their paint they made the reflector beautiful, and on it was a message for all the people of the valley.
17December2011: An image of the T-shirt I refer to in the comment section is now found here.
15 comments:
partial disclosure: in 1988, some redneck painted out some of the peacesign, so 3 of us went up and repaired the sign. we were gifted specialy-made t-shirts for our effort. of the many things i've done in my life, repairing the peace sign is the one i'm probably most proud of.
Cat, what a fantastic post!! And I so love that you were a part of it!! I read the entire article with my chin in my hand, glass of wine next to me...and grinning the whole time. This is just great! Thanks a bunch for sharing, and for caring about things that really matter :) Lolo
What a great story! We could use more people like you. :) I really liked the colors and composition. Thanks for sharing.
I would be proud too! What a wonderful story and an amazing depiction you created! I love all of it!~valgalart
it is specially nice that you have recorded the moment in more than one way now for prosperity.. you have also made it a moment for people here in illustration friday... a moment of history! .. thankyou for caring
Hmmmm.. Must be you on the ladder. Fun illo (with a purpose) and quite interesting story. Perhaps the city should buy the land with sign intact. It certainly seems to be an important part of your town's identity.
great story and illo only wish more ppl would do the same instead of ust talk about it
6 years ago, this month, Qwest removed the reflector, and I think it's in Steve Saroff's backyard.
There's now land in the same area, picked up by the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, and many of us have been lobbying to have the peace sign re-erected there.
Bravo well done! That's the way to show those "evil bastards."
This post opened the floodgate of memories for me, too.
I hope you DO get your sign and I hope you DO stick it in a prominent place.
My word verification is efnfbi
Great submission for sign! BRAVO!
obuti
luvfbi
Love, love , love the story and your part in it. Wish you lived by me so we could sit outside in the evening sipping our green tea (or red wine) and watch the deepening night sky:)
Great story -- gotta admit I got just a bit misty-eyed reading it.
I like it!
Makes me want to reach for the paint.
Post a Comment