PJ's Smile

I learned yesterday that a friend in Seattle I met while working with KEXP passed away Monday evening. Her name was PJ.

My path crossed with PJ's on many an occasion during my time at the station. In particular, an evening in 2005.

I was shooting impromptu portraits at the Bumbershoot Gala for a One Reel project. I had a backdrop set up and was asking passersby if I could take their photo. It was then that I saw a spritely young woman with fire engine red hair jump into frame. It was PJ and she was all about having her photo taken.

At that point I had known PJ for just a short time, but she didn't hold it against me. At first I wasn't sure if she'd want her photo taken. Many in her position might recoil from the idea of a portrait. Truth be told, most people I meet recoil from it. But not PJ. She was all smiles that night.

The portrait I chose for inclusion in the final gallery showing of End of Summer is, to this date, one of my favorite photographs ever. Her ear-to-ear grin, the hair matching the stripes on her shirt, her courier bag matching her bracelet and her blue, blue eyes. And of course, all the KEXP swag. Come to think of it, I don't think I ever remember her NOT wearing some sort of KEXP paraphernalia. She was so proud of the station. And it showed. Quite literally.

I have the 33" x 22" print from the show in my studio here in LA. It's been on the wall since I moved in and it's right by the door and her smile greets me every time I leave the studio. At first it was just a convenient place to hang the big print on the big wall. But after time it acted as a reminder. A reminder to persevere in life and do it with a smile. Just like PJ did.

There will be a memorial for PJ at the Vera Project in Seattle on Thursday, 7/23, from 4-6PM.