My dear friend Denez and I playfully posed in shirts I made from an iconic photo of us I love. In Nov 2025, Denez posed with my ‘LollyGobbleBlissBomb Shi’ self portrait at my ‘Rainbow Bubbles of Collective Effervescence’ Original ByShi Art Exhibition at Montville Reflection Gallery. I had to draw it and make us shirts!
In 2024 Denez commented ‘you haven’t drawn me…’ to which I said ‘I drew one of your sons as a baby in one of the first portraits I did!’ but I took her point… So for Christmas I drew Denez with her husband Craig and her two sons, as well as all in our church group of 12 that have met for dinners and lunches together and been friends for decades! Then in 2025 Denez commented ‘you haven’t drawn me…’ (me: ‘?!’) ‘…on a shirt!!!’ No, I haven’t! Then, amazingly, in Nov 2025 Denez and 16 of my church friends took a road trip to see my exhibition. I was so beyond moved. Denez posed playfully in front of my LollyGobbleBlissBomb childhood self portrait with me poking my tongue out, and I dared her – should I make this a shirt?! Challenge accepted!
This was one of the most blissFULL, wonderful artworks to draw, channeling Denez’ joy and reminiscing over decades of funtimes and memories. Denez is fun, exuberant, joyous, sarcastic and hilarious and I’m so grateful to have her in my life. Our friendship is epic and this is now my most beloved shirt of all time!