Patricia and I became friends simply by being in the right place at the right time. We started talking as strangers over a box of free books. Her and I both scouring its content for obscure found objects and interesting clippings to turn into collages. Now we are a champion team of holding lengthy conversations on just about anything.

I share a lot of my thoughts and creative ideas with Patricia. In many of our chance encounters she bestows a lot of importance on the theme of originality. She began collating clippings and editorials that she’d find in magazines, books, and the likes to share with me. On the back of each cut out are her handwritten thoughts. They aren’t always positive, and I’ve grown to appreciate her uncensored opinions.

Often her critiques would give me something entirely new to think about. Patricia’s small contributions became an exercise of thinking outside the box. I now eagerly wait for whenever she has a new bundle of clippings for me to collect. The latest collection of tangible ideas that I can hold inside my own hands.

If you ran into Patricia on the street you’d be just as enamoured as I am. I could spend forever listening to her recount moments from her life. Much like the time she told me how she once fooled her way into a gentleman’s bar by wearing a suit. I didn’t doubt she made it through for a second. She has a presence so charming, so captivating, that it must have let her glide through her entire life pushing boundaries.

This is a special relationship to me. One who’s contribution pushes my thinking, grows my imagination, and keeps me on my toes.

An ode to you, Patricia. And thank you for my latest collection of clippings, thoughts, and ideas.