I got to go to the art show!   We got to the Gallery at about 6:30, and I met one of the sales reps named Cindy.   She walked us through the gallery, and helped acquaint us with Tico's work.   His work is very strong visually, he has a unique use of color, and he also works in ceramics and bronzes, which I didn't know.   He had one small bronze sculpture on display which was only one of an edition of nine, and Heather and Richie own one of the nine. It sold for $1,000.   It was two nude girls and was called "Two Liberties."    He also had this beautiful painting of Ballerinas, which my oldest daughter wanted immediately.   But, it was $5,000.00.    One of the standout paintings was one called Eva Dior, and was of Eva with her head thrown back, holding a cigarette.   He was asking $10,000 for that one!   Just as I began to get discouraged that I could not afford a Tico original, Cindy pointed out to me several small watercolors called "Kisses."   They were extremely affordable, and when she told me that all "collectors" would get their photos taken with Tico AND their newly purchased artwork, I became the first "collector" of the evening!

At about 7:15, Tico arrived via the back door.   He was wearing a black sweater and black pants, sunglasses, and he's cut his hair REALLY short.   He looked extremely handsome!   Cindy brought him over and introduced him to me and my girls, and he was so charming, I felt right at ease with him.   We talked about his artwork, and I asked him how long he'd been painting, and he said for 35 years.   I was so touched, I gave him a small hug and said "I love you!"   He chuckled, and gave me a huge smile.   I told him I had been painting for about 25 years, and that I had a degree in art, so I was delighted when I'd found out he was so talented.   I told him I'd been a Bon Jovi fan for a long time, and we talked about the two concerts I'd attended, and he said "bless you" when I told him I WAS there in '95 during their very WET These Days tour.   He told me how much they appreciated the fans sticking it out, and how hard it was to play in such horrible conditions, and it happened in Europe almost EVERY night of the tour!  I asked him about Bon Jovi, and he said that in '99 they'd get back in the studios again, so they could meet the millennium with a new record!   Just as I was asking him about Richie's record, and if he liked it, someone from a local radio station whisked him away, which was good, because we'd been talking for about 10 minutes, and I knew people were getting ANTSY!!!  (HEE HEE)

I told Cindy that I needed to leave about 8, because I wanted to get back to my car before it got dark, and I'd had to park a block away.   So we let Tico mingle a bit longer, then she went and got my "Kisses," and we grabbed Tico, the gallery owners husband, and Jessica, Shannon and Me had our photo taken with Tico, holding my "Kisses" in front of the Ballerina painting that Jessica liked.   It took the owner a few minutes to figure out how to work the camera, so I got to stand there quite awhile with Tico's hand on my back! I thought that was really cool!  : )   We got to spend about 10 more minutes with Tico, and I asked him if he was going to have any of his originals made into prints, most particularly the Ballerina painting, and he said yes!    We talked awhile about that painting in particular, and he said he would have more Ballerina artwork in the future.  Tico's work is going to be at the Gallery for about three weeks, I may try to drag hubby out there. He'll consider any price for artwork, as long as he likes it!   We're starting a Ballerina collection anyway!  : )

I let him talk to the girls for a bit, and he was really interested in both Shannon's drumming and Jessica's ballet.   He told me he thought Jessica really walked like a ballerina, and he smiled and told Shannon that no, he hadn't met Hanson yet, but he did want to meet them, especially Zac, the drummer.   He gave me a big smile again, and said "She really has to meet Hanson, doesn't she, mom?"    I laughed, and told him, yeah, she was TOO MUCH like her mom!   LOL   I then asked him the burning question that I'd been denied earlier, did he like Undiscovered Soul?   He said YEAH, he liked it a lot!

Then it was time to say good-bye, as once again the crowd was swelling.   Tico took our new painting, turned it over and personalized it to us:  " To Jessica, Shannon and Lori   Love Always, Tico Torres. "  We shook hands, and I told him it was an honor to meet him, and I thanked him for spending so much time with us.  Then we left -- walking on clouds!!!!

I found him to be totally gracious, charming and very willing to answer any and all questions about either Bon Jovi, or his art.   I thought his art was highly original, thought provoking, and very well executed!  Shannon said she thought she was going to throw up when she first saw him she was so excited, and Jessica said she thought it was cool that he had Ballerina artwork. Shannon said that she noticed he kept watching us as he moved through the crowds, and she said "mommy, I think he liked you!"  LOL

It was a small intimate crowd, of about 50 people, and I highly recommend a Tico Torres art show if one ever comes to your town.   You HAVE to meet this man!    I am now on the galleries mailing list, and I found out they also represent Jon Entwistle (sp) of The Who, and Ron Woods of The Rolling Stones, in addition to several Rolling Stone Magazine photographers!  I told 'em next time they had a job opening, look me up?  LOL

If this post sounds like it rambles along, please forgive me,   I'm still excited, and I've been home since 9 p.m.   Two years in a row, I've had a very Bon Jovi birthday!   Last year being high bidder on my Sambo strat, and this year, becoming the owner of a Personalized Tico Torres original, and MEETING Tico!   Maybe next year, Richie will show up on my doorstep and yell "happy birthday!"   (A girl can dream, right?)   The last thing I said to Tico was: Next time you see Richie and Heather?  Tell 'em I said hello.

He just chuckled, gave me another beautiful smile, and said "of course I will!"   What a great guy!    : )