After my last blog post, I was determined to find the original artwork that Ben Wicks gave me back in grade eight. I looked in every possible nook and book I could think of. Nothing. I convinced myself that it must be tucked between some yellowed volumes in my old bedroom in my parents’ house. As luck would have it, my parents still live in the same house. As luck would have it again, I was at my parents’ house a couple days ago and had the opportunity to empty my old bookshelves. Oh joy! I am happy to have the artwork in my possession once again! I’ve decided to frame it and give it a new place of distinction in my studio.

The Second Ben Wicks Treasury, Methuen Publications

A side note: several years after I met Ben Wicks, I bought “The Second Ben Wicks Treasury” in some random bookshop I happened to stroll by. It’s a wonderful collection. There was a little surprise in it that I didn’t notice right away because I don’t always read books in proper order from start to finish. It must have been a full week after buying the book that I flipped to page 24 and was faced with the cartoon that Ben Wicks had signed and given to me.

Thanks again Mr. Wicks.