Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A pic of Paul, blue suede shoes and a story from Phil

This is the first picture of Paul we've posted since his accident. It seems appropriate that it would be a celebration of his wedding anniversary, with the following story from Phil Hollenbeck:

When Paul asked me if I'd shoot his wedding, I just wasn't too sure that would be a good idea. I'm not a wedding kinda shooter guy and Paul was in the "business", a young creative on his way up. Did I really want to shoot a designer's wedding? And Paul's so picky. What to do, what to do? Well, when he told me the wedding was going to be at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that sealed the deal. Rehoboth Beach was where I spent some fine summer vacation time with a favorite uncle. We were from Baltimore, a short drive to the beach. Shooting Paul & Patty's wedding would trigger a lot of memories for me. I could visit old haunts, drink Gunther beer while feasting on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and take a day trip to Tangier Island. It would also afford me an opportunity to visit my mother's grave site in Baltimore. She was killed when I was 11, oddly enough, on September 6th, 1954. So it seemed to me that the stars were in alignment for me to shoot this wedding. So I did.
When I got the news of Paul's accident I was both stunned and horrified. Like many others, I just couldn't believe this news. On my first visits to see Paul in ICU at Baylor, I saw many of Patty & Paul's family. These were people I hadn't seen since the wedding eleven years ago. A few of them said, "I remember you. You were wearing those blue shoes." That's true. Blue suede shoes. Think Elvis. Paul was going into week three at Baylor and I was at my Arkansas getaway in Eureka Springs. Rummaging thru boxes from the recent move I came across, yes!, the blue shoes. A major brain fart went off in my head and I thought, "Wouldn't it be great to make Patty & Paul a wedding anniversary gift using these shoes?" So I did. The frame was found by the side of the road. I spray painted it gloss white. The little girl figure was peeled off my art car and the hearts & little basketballs came from Hobby Lobby. The shoes are glued on with E6000, a glue so strong that it will hold a bad marriage together. The shoes are glued to a collage of contact photos from the wedding.
So, to a couple that I love and admire and to a man who has given so much, Happy 11th Anniversary. I owe you, Paul. You always make me look like I know what I'm doing.

Phil

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

paul,
you look great! can't wait to see you next week. you too phil. _sock

Anonymous said...

You two are an inspiration. I can only hope to one day have what you share in your marriage. Congrats on 11 years.

Wheat said...

Congratulations on 11 years. Paul your looking good.

Wendy Virtue said...

Paul you look fantastic! Congratulations on 11 years!

Sarah said...

Looking good my friend! Thank you for sharing the shoe story Phil. I worked with Paul when he got married, and was remember both of you working together... I also remember lots of laughing and hard work!

Love,
Sarah Pucci

Anonymous said...

great photo and such a fun story. congratulations!

Anonymous said...

LOVE this!! You are looking so good Paul! Can't wait to see you very soon. Congratulations on your anniversary!!!

Phil - you rock, my friend.

Lots of love to you all!
Sam