This is a photo of my friend Taral Wayne (MacDonald), taken in the living room of his Parkdale apartment circa 1998, when he was about 47. Taral passed away suddenly in that very room Thursday of last week, August 1, 2024, at the age of 72. [N.B. On this I stand corrected: Wednesday, July 31.]

Taral could be a good sport. I was an early adopter of digital photography and here, I'd brought my Kodak DC40 down to his place and asked him to pose for a photo for an internet friend of mine clear across the continent. With his trademark sure-whatever shrug, he did it for me. It's no big deal, I know, but it's always been one of my favourite photos of him: patient, quietly indulgent, almost avuncular. I didn't see much of him in recent years, but I'm always going to miss him.

For a little while about 15, 20 years ago, I had a little side hobby taking scans of his linework and sort of taking them to the next level in Photoshop and Painter, and then sharing them with him. He never really made a big deal out of them, but I noticed he did carefully preserve them all in a special directory. in his own way, that was a sincere compliment, and I always appreciated that.

There's tons of his art here on the site, so there's no point in putting up more... besides, it's not really my place. But I do feel justified in putting up the versions I created. I'm certain he wouldn't have objected, provided I gave credit where credit was due. So in celebration of the artist and friend we've lost, it's my intention to put up a piece inspired by him and completed by me once a day for the next few weeks, along with my memories and impression about the artwork in question. I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Here's to you, Taral.