George “Shorty” Spreuiel

What a fantastic encounter I had with “Shorty.” I was carrying my Aldo messenger bag with papers, pens, and other supplies; wearing a button up shirt and blazer with jeans and sneakers. I sat down on a ledge / bench next to “Shorty” and he looks at me and says, “What are you a lawyer or something?” I replied, “No, I’m an artist.” To which he quickly replied, “Man… don’t go telling people that. Maybe that’s what you are second, but that ain’t what you are.” I explained that I went to college for studio arts and was previously an art professor, but he still wasn’t buying it. Then I mentioned that I have been working professionally as a marketer until recently being laid off and he said. “That’s it. So you’re an artist second.” I went ahead with his take and tried to explain my Art as Ministry project; he wasn’t having any of it. “Don’t draw my picture, don’t take my picture.” After trying again, he replied, “If you want to help people then help people. You got five bucks?” I told him I would get some cash if he agreed to participate as a subject for a portrait. He agreed and offered I went.

When I returned with the cash I gave him the five bucks as promised and we filled out the collaboration agreement. After he signed the papers I asked if I could take his picture now. “Don’t you take my fucking picture!” “But Shorty you said if I gave you five bucks you would participate?” I replied. “No that was five for signing the papers. It’ll be ten for the picture.” We agreed on an additional five bucks and I was able to grab some quick snapshots of Shorty.

I thanked him and explains the project one last time and this time the message cut through the fog of four or five airplane bottles of vodka he was collecting next to him as he passed his time. “Oh man! I see you!” We fist bumped and I told him that once his portrait sold I would return to find him with 50% of the sale loaded on a prepaid card as he requested in our artist collaboration agreement.

Ministry: 50% of the sale price will go back directly to Shorty on a prepaid card to help with food, clothing, and finances.