Eric Weinbrenner Story
“Eric Weinbrenner STORY” 2022, 96 x 50” Mixed media on canvas
One of the most memorable, emotional and meaningful paintings I have gotten to work on was this piece. I will never forget the process or any of the moments shared while working on it collaboratively with Eric Weinbrenner, a close friend who I got to meet after he was diagnosed with ALS. He sent me a text asking if I could work on a piece for him and that he’d send all of the details and pieces that he was hoping to put into it.
I got the envelope holding a handful of documents which were all major moments and memories of Eric’s life. After reading through a rather long and detailed email from Eric, that had to have taken him days to write via his screen reader, I began sketching. And then, I started painting and layering in each moment and memory taking time to piece it together in the right way.
“This was one of the most memorable, emotional and meaningful pieces I have gotten to work on.”
-Jesse Pierpoint
Creating this work was extremely emotional and many times I had to take a break as it was a little overwhelming. I cried. A lot. I was essentially was creating a piece of artwork that was telling Eric’s life story. During that process, I got to share each of the sections being worked on with Eric from beginning to end. Once it was complete, I sealed it, rolled it up and shipped it to his home in Arizona to be stretched and framed.
A few months later, I get a video from Eric and his best friend Jonathan. With his permission, I have that video here. Again, this is one of my all-time favorite projects and something I love to do for others. Trying to capture and tell someone’s unique story is such an honor. And in this case, it just happened to be a great friend. Cheers to you Eric. Keep fighting my friend. Love you buddy.
PROCESS PHOTOS
This is Eric’s organization he started after being diagnosed. I have enjoyed getting to be a part of helping others through the work they are doing.
Paint For A Cure lends support to those affected by ALS. Our main goal is to provide medically accessible housing and monetary assistance to ALS patients and their families who cannot afford these necessities.
Eric’s love of art, specifically painting, was the driving force behind the theme of Paint For A Cure. In order to fund our ALS friendly homes, they aim to inspire thousands of artists to donate their art or create special pieces to be sold at auction. Through the power of painting, they dramatically change the lives of families impacted by this terrible disease.
