Shortly after my brother Troy's passing (March 2007) I went into his art studio and waded through stacks of paintings, scraps of paper with doodles and rough drafts. Also were many notes, scribbled out thoughts, and even essays and poems on art, life and the coexistence of art and life together. I had no idea he wrote so much. Reading through all this was nearly like raising my brother's voice from the dead and hearing a part of him I had only seen glimpses of in his lifetime. One paper I found was entitled "My Thoughts on Art." In it he wrote that after much consideration and thoughtfulness he had formed his own definition of art as, "The uniqueness put in every one of us by God that can be expressed in more ways than I can imagine." He goes on to say to his reader, which had been no one until I picked up his paper, "Knowing that you have a uniqueness and that God gave it to you for your benefit, you should know with confidence there is, or will be a way that you can express your art and bring gladness to God in doing so." My brother's words were profound in showing me that art is part of all of us and that we are all reflections of the Master Artist who has created us each as His unique art pieces. I pray that Troy's art and his humble insight show you the uniquely artistic heart God instills in each one of us to use for His glory.
I will miss my brother. I am grateful that his art and writing are a beautiful remembrance to the life he lived.
- Wendy Hogan