February 26, 2010

A Good Friend. Gone.

When I first started writing Pigtown*Design, one of the first posts I wrote was about an old friend, John Gutierrez, and his metal-working shop, Gutierrez:Studios. As you drive around Baltimore, you see lots of his iron works gracing buildings, gardens, interiors and exteriors. Always perfection, always interesting works.atlanticstoolYesterday, John lost a very short battle against cancer, and I am heart-broken for a talent lost, for a friend who is no longer here, and for his family, especially his brother, Richard with whom I have been best friends since my first day at college, many years ago.

For the past 24 hours, memories of John have been swirling around my mind, first as my pal Richard’s brother, a young artist. Then at Richard’s wedding, presenting the new couple with a custom piece of furniture. On my return from Wales, attending a huge party at his studio where I re-connected with so many friends I hadn’t seen in ages. clipper 021More recently, allowing my niece and me to come and visit his amazing studio one winter afternoon.  Watching John cook his specialty, goulash, halloween party 027in a hand-crafted cauldron over a wood fire at a Halloween Party, where I’d gone as Kitchen Nightmares, and he was the cook.   halloween party 003aAs I was driving home from work one afternoon, I saw John and his crew putting the final touches on the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden in Baltimore and drove around the block just so I could say hi to him. He was that kind of person. pjpstatueMany years ago, as a student at RIT, John first presented his work at the American Crafts Council show. Today, I attended the ACC show in Baltimore and saw the booth that John and Roya, his partner of 30+ years had put together, not knowing if he’d attend. It is a testament to his workers that they loved John enough to be at the show, greeting hundreds and hundreds of people, in their time of grief.Gutierrez Studios 001Richard Gehrman, principal at Brown|Craig|Turner architects put it beautifully in an e-mail this morning:

Mies van der Rohe famously stated, ‘God is in the details.” John walked with God in creating the details that made our ideas look really good. Excellent craftwork is rare these days, and no one was more concerned with craft and design than John. Aside from being an outstanding individual and a personal friend, he mentored anyone with an interest and passion for design. His life was his work, and vice-versa. I can only hope to achieve a percentage of what John’s contributions to our built environment have made in his 45 years of full life.

John Kennedy Gutierrez was loved by many and will be missed by all.

25 comments:

  1. Meg once again I am deeply sorry for all of those who love this talented, obviously much adored man. Mr. Gehrman wrote it so appropriately, "John walked with God" 45 is tragically young but it sounds like he accomplished much more than most of do in a lifetime.

    Your post is beautiful and I'm sure he would be thrilled to know how much you cared & admired him and his talents.

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  2. What a wonderful tribute to your friend, Meg. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  3. Meg, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your friend John was not only a talented artist and craftsman but clearly a wonderful friend and mentor to so many.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to you and all those who were touched by him in life, and now equally so by his passing.

    Kat

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  4. Sometimes it is just not fair
    Suzy

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  5. Meg,

    what sad news! I did not know him, but your appreciation for him is so reflected in your writing.
    he must have been very special and obviously so talented.
    I am sorry for your loss of a friend!

    XX
    Victoria

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  6. Meg, I'm so sorry for your loss & will be thinking of you.

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  7. Meg, I am so sorry I can tell he was dear to you. What talent he had and a wonderful tribute from you!

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  8. Your tribute to John is lovely Meg and shows what a wonderful and creative man he must have been. His legacy lives on in his beautiful work, xv.

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  9. I had no idea!!! We're currently working with Guitterez on a project (as in, I was reviewing shop drawings TODAY and on the phone with them!). This is just so sad -he was really talented and I hope his legacy lives on. He has some very talented people working for him.

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  10. what a lovely tribute to your friend- i'm sure the rest of his friends and family appreciate your words.

    again meg, i'm so sorry for your loss.

    big hugs,

    c, m & r

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  11. I have particular admiration for people who follow their passions in art and design, and create artistry that show the stunning depths and heights of man's creativity. Although it is of very little consolation now, it sounds like the beauty that John added to this world will live on both through his creations and those he touched.

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  12. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, Meg.

    The prayer garden seems like a perfect place to visit when you are missing him.

    Peace,

    Lori

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  13. Meg,
    Sorry to hear of the loss of a friend and such an immense talent for the city of Baltimore and beyond. Hold on to the joy and special memories. They are yours forever.
    ~Rebecca

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  14. I am so sorry for your loss.
    lovely post/tribute to your friend.

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  15. I am so sorry. Thoughts and prayers for him and all his loved ones.

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  16. Always a bleek day when creativity is lost and the purity of an artist is felt no more. Though I did not personally know him, what a wonderful man he was. Thoughts and prayers to you & his family,
    L.

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  17. Thanks for bringing a grin to my face this morning - at such a sad time seeing you and John cooking goulash reminds me of all the JOY he brought to our lives.

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  18. My name is Erin Paige Pitts and I have been reading your blog but just subscribed and I look forward to following you. I am a residential designer in Maryland, recently named one of the "20 Young Designers to watch in 2010" by Traditional Home magazine. I'd love to connect with you. I too have just started a blog www.erinpaigepitts.wordpress.com and you can also find me on FB Erin Paige Pitts Interiors.

    I too am so sorry to hear about John Gutierrez. What at loss...

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  19. Sorry to hear of your loss.

    I hope that getting out today helped give your mind a break.

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  20. Meg, I am so sorry for your loss. You and his family will remain in my prayers.

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  21. It is so hard to loose a friends--my thoughts are with you.

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  22. Meg, so sorry for your loss and ours of this lovely, talented fellow. xo Terri

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  23. What a great tribute to an admired talent.

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  24. A sad time. A beautiful tribute. You will remember him often as you drive by/walk by all his iron work - always sparking another memory.

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