I just hit 40 and wanted to do something particularly outrageous for this milestone.  So I jumped out of a plane.  It was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life.

I really wanted to jump out of a window instead.  It was a trying year.  I went through a divorce and the loss of a job.  I moved two times and the second home was a disaster.  The roof caved in and the septic system exploded.  Ah life. After the plane experience, I decided I wanted a new piece of art in my latest home - one that showcased me in all my crazy glory.  That’s when I contacted MyPopArt.com.  I guess in a weird way, I thought that if I hung up a cool piece of art in my new home, it simply couldn’t fall apart anymore…damnit.

So I decided on the Marilyn Monroe style, quadrant art piece - with 4 varying replicas of my beautiful albeit stressed face.  I took a photo with my new camera.  It took me all afternoon because I was the photographer and had to set the timer.  And I wanted the photo to really feel like me - with all the flaws and foibles and stresses.  With all the beauty, elegance and fortitude.  Me at 40 - take it or leave it shot.

Finally I settled on one that seemed to fit the bill.  It was a simple shot of me but seemed to express subtle elements of my personality.  When I got it back, I felt a little embarrassed to put it up on the wall but soon got over it.  I mean, who cares what anybody thinks.  I’m 40 years old!  Ha!  You can’t tell me what to do!  You’re not the boss of me!

At first I put it on the living room wall but soon realized it fit better in my bedroom.  So I could wake up and see myself, simply and plainly but brightly and colorfully.  We’re made up of many components after all.  Pop Art made me see the caricature that was me; the fun and vibrance that lie deep inside.  And heck, it just looks good on my wall…and covers up the crack that’s forming.  Great.