see you later, gary

By Patricia Belyea

SEATTLE, WA :: Saying goodbye always feels so final. But, is an ending ever truly final? We each carry our own sense of what death means, and how the story continues.

Yesterday, my brother-in-law Gary Faigin left this life.

Many knew Gary as an accomplished American painter. Others knew him as the co-founder of Gage Academy of Art. Some knew him through his groundbreaking book on facial expressions for artists. Others knew him as an art critic for the local paper, or as a guide leading tours to the great art capitals of Europe.

To me, Gary was family. He married my twin sister, and for more than three decades our two families lived just two blocks apart in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We were neighbors, companions, and friends.

The art world has lost a rare talent and a generous leader. I have lost a kindred spirit and a beloved family member.

If you stepped into his painting studio today, you’d find his latest works—surreal visions of houses sited in celestial landscapes. His imagination soared, and he had the ability to transform those ideas into deeply compelling compositions.

Just as powerful as Gary’s visuals, were the concepts behind his painting series. Recently Gary has been challenging the meaning of home as we move into the future.

I love you, Gary. And, I'll see you at your new place!