Comments on: Goodbye To Tom Kennedy: Art Car Artist, Activist, Teacher & Prankster http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/ art, culture and technology from San Francisco and beyond Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:56:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Junaid khan http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-725684 Junaid khan Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:31:31 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-725684 I am sitting here in shock. I met Tom in 1990 at University of Houston. I was a freshman and he was the guy in business suite always late for the accounting class. I use to save him a set, back row, asile. He ended up my first boss. He hired me as a summer intern and I worked for him till the time he left. I rode in the Shark in 1991 or 92. He was like a kid. He drove the Lady of What we have in common bus to my wedding and transported flowers in the bus. We drove off in the art car with the boreshead and buttons on westhiemer and honked at people!! Can't forget that night. I can't believe he is gone enjoying the ocean that inspired it all. Love you man. Junaid I am sitting here in shock. I met Tom in 1990 at University of Houston. I was a freshman and he was the guy in business suite always late for the accounting class. I use to save him a set, back row, asile. He ended up my first boss. He hired me as a summer intern and I worked for him till the time he left. I rode in the Shark in 1991 or 92. He was like a kid. He drove the Lady of What we have in common bus to my wedding and transported flowers in the bus. We drove off in the art car with the boreshead and buttons on westhiemer and honked at people!! Can’t forget that night. I can’t believe he is gone enjoying the ocean that inspired it all. Love you man. Junaid

]]> By: Snug http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-678408 Snug Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:33:12 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-678408 I'm very sad to hear about Tom passing away. His shark car made people happy! I’m very sad to hear about Tom passing away. His shark car made people happy!

]]> By: DragonFyre http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-635894 DragonFyre Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:24:33 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-635894 Goodbye Tom: I had the honor of meeting tom in 2001 BurningMan and talking with him. I fondly remember Riding on Pepper Moser's Roving living room and being chased and shot at by the Twinkie cannon. Enjoy your spiritual path into a higher plane. DragonFyre Goodbye Tom:
I had the honor of meeting tom in 2001 BurningMan and talking with him. I fondly remember Riding on Pepper Moser’s Roving living room and being chased and shot at by the Twinkie cannon. Enjoy your spiritual path into a higher plane.

DragonFyre

]]> By: Maria Teresa http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-619578 Maria Teresa Sat, 23 May 2009 20:33:33 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-619578 Tom, I you not ever I knew, I saw you for the first time in the commemoration that your friends did; I saw the video, the your friends. ..tutto a lot heard and near the ocean. You were an expensive friend of a mine expensive friend, a thing we have in commune I and you. ...siamo native in 1960, year of transition between a past and a present one, we of that year with artistic gifts, poetic, original inventors and. ... spericolati. ..... persdone that live at the utmost the life. You, now you are in the cosmoe see us, see the well in the all mondoe we. ......Ciao Tom, I am proud of to know you! M. Teresa Tom, I you not ever I knew, I saw you for the first time in the commemoration that your friends did; I saw the video, the your friends. ..tutto a lot heard and near the ocean. You were an expensive friend of a mine expensive friend, a thing we have in commune I and you. …siamo native in 1960, year of transition between a past and a present one, we of that year with artistic gifts, poetic, original inventors and. … spericolati. ….. persdone that live at the utmost the life. You, now you are in the cosmoe see us, see the well in the all mondoe we. ……Ciao Tom, I am proud of to know you! M. Teresa

]]> By: Michael Connelly http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-606455 Michael Connelly Fri, 01 May 2009 01:01:17 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-606455 One of my fondest memories is sitting in the Kitty Car watching the full moon eclipse in '07 -- and then all the people running past as someone lit a torch to The Man. Such a lovely, peaceful and serene car. Perfect for that moment outside of Time Thanks for the memories peace & love michael (coyote) in eugene One of my fondest memories is sitting in the Kitty Car watching the full moon eclipse in ‘07 — and then all the people running past as someone lit a torch to The Man. Such a lovely, peaceful and serene car. Perfect for that moment outside of Time
Thanks for the memories

peace & love

michael (coyote) in eugene

]]> By: KATE PEARSON http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-601946 KATE PEARSON Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:05:27 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-601946 My dear friend Tom, I cherish all the adventures I have been on with you! A very memorable journey was our time caravanning around in New York City with Max The Dare Devil Fin Mobile towing Ripper the Friendly Shark and my LOVE 23. We caused quite a stir in NYC got hired to have our cars be in a National Lampoon Swim Suit edition with models posing inside the shark's mouth and driving my car, and Gene Poole riding around in his unicycle. Getting stopped by the police when you took Ripper off the trailer and drove it around the streets. When headed for Hellertown, Max was 3 inches too high to get thru the Lincoln Tunnel, going all the way around a different way thru Harlem. I just hung out with you 6 weeks before you left us, painting your missile red and the whole truck, you fell off a ladder and were sprayed with red paint, you threw away your cell phone with the red painted clothes. You were exciting and thrilling and positive, and I adored you! I feel such a loss in my heart and whole being, I am missing you so much. Haideen I am so glad that you two met, it was so beautiful to be around you together. Tom, thanks for 16 years of amazing friendship. The world lost a most amazing merry prankster and serious sculptor. I still think you're going to come thru Bisbee and visit me again. I have been hearing your great laughter inside my head and in my dreams. Love to all the family and your 1,000's of friends. xoKATE My dear friend Tom, I cherish all the adventures I have been on with you! A very memorable journey was our time caravanning around in New York City with Max The Dare Devil Fin Mobile towing Ripper the Friendly Shark and my LOVE 23. We caused quite a stir in NYC got hired to have our cars be in a National Lampoon Swim Suit edition with models posing inside the shark’s mouth and driving my car, and Gene Poole riding around in his unicycle. Getting stopped by the police when you took Ripper off the trailer and drove it around the streets. When headed for Hellertown, Max was 3 inches too high to get thru the Lincoln Tunnel, going all the way around a different way thru Harlem. I just hung out with you 6 weeks before you left us, painting your missile red and the whole truck, you fell off a ladder and were sprayed with red paint, you threw away your cell phone with the red painted clothes. You were exciting and thrilling and positive, and I adored you! I feel such a loss in my heart and whole being, I am missing you so much. Haideen I am so glad that you two met, it was so beautiful to be around you together. Tom, thanks for 16 years of amazing friendship. The world lost a most amazing merry prankster and serious sculptor. I still think you’re going to come thru Bisbee and visit me again. I have been hearing your great laughter inside my head and in my dreams. Love to all the family and your 1,000’s of friends. xoKATE

]]> By: Janine Davidge http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-601136 Janine Davidge Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:45:38 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-601136 Not knowing Tom or of his works and creations has been a serious loss on my part. I'm glad to have learned of him now though he does no more. My heartfelt condolences to those who are most sad...treasure your memories. Janine Not knowing Tom or of his works and creations has been a serious loss on my part. I’m glad to have learned of him now though he does no more.

My heartfelt condolences to those who are most sad…treasure your memories.

Janine

]]> By: WALT! http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-600159 WALT! Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:16:53 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-600159 Ars Longa, Vita Brevis. Obit in this morning's LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tom-kennedy21-2009apr21,0,2234068.story Ars Longa, Vita Brevis.

Obit in this morning’s LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-tom-kennedy21-2009apr21,0,2234068.story

]]> By: Mary Jane LaVigne http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-599908 Mary Jane LaVigne Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:30:22 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-599908 “If you only help others…” Tom Kennedy pours beans in to my coffee grinder, cocks his head, gives me a sideways grin, “…and don’t let yourself receive help…” The whirr of the grinder drowns the end of his sentence, but I know what he means. I’m feeling a little bad. I'm sitting at my kitchen table on the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, the second day of the Republican National Convention. For the last four days, the missile truck, the MDC bus and a dozen Missile Dick Chicks, have roosted at my suburban White Bear Lake house, swooping down on Minneapolis and St. Paul to taunt Republicans. This morning, I hit my limit. There’s been no ultimatum, just a sense I woke with that my family, my neighbors and I had had enough. As we made the bed, I told my fella Allen what I was thinking. By the time I was out of the shower, Tom and Allen had it arranged. Now, the Chicks, the bus and the missile truck are packing up and moving on down the shore to finish out the Convention at my friend Larry’s house. “I’m afraid I'm not holding up my part of the bargain,” I say, “expecting Larry to take up the slack.” Through the kitchen window, I watch the neighbor girls in their new clothes head off to the first day of school. In my yard, the big old MDC bus belches exhaust their way, while their mother, a middle-aged woman like me, casts a critical glance and gives me a forbearing nod. Soon I’ll be back to Minnesota mundane. There’s plenty to do to move the Missile Dick crew, but Tom pours me more coffee and sits down to tell me a fable about asking for help. Tom’s story is about Bosnians, bridges and bikes. The cast of heroes includes a former girl friend, Shelly Buschur, the U.S. Air Force and a NATO commander from Northern Ireland. Did a kid’s bike parade create peace between Bosnians and Serbs? Tom doesn’t go that far. But the opportunity to pitch-in drew the best from everyone involved. When the story is over, the bus has been packed and my living room floor is again innocent of cots. It’s clear, my concern for the convenience of my friend Larry, the next host to this troupe, is minor. In truth, I’m sad it’s over. “Our goal is to beat the bad guys by having more fun,” Tom had emailed me months ago as we were planning for the Republican Convention. Mission accomplished. “Once everyone is gone,” says Tom as he hugs me good-bye, “a couple of us will come back and make sure it’s just like we found it. There’s red paint on your driveway. We’ll take care of that.” Like the Cat in the Hat when the mother comes back, all is in order when the bus and missile truck chug out of my yard. A few days later, when they’re just about to head west to San Francisco, Tom calls to say he wants to come by and take care of the red paint. “Forget it,” I tell him. “Consider it a souvenir.” Now that Tom won’t be coming east again, with his head full of visions and his emails full of schemes and new refurbished hopes, life doesn’t offer as happy a prospect. What's left is a passel of memories of when the circus stayed at my house and of Tom Kennedy, the best ringleader of them all. That, and a little red paint on my driveway, will have to be enough. “If you only help others…” Tom Kennedy pours beans in to my coffee grinder, cocks his head, gives me a sideways grin, “…and don’t let yourself receive help…” The whirr of the grinder drowns the end of his sentence, but I know what he means. I’m feeling a little bad. I’m sitting at my kitchen table on the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, the second day of the Republican National Convention. For the last four days, the missile truck, the MDC bus and a dozen Missile Dick Chicks, have roosted at my suburban White Bear Lake house, swooping down on Minneapolis and St. Paul to taunt Republicans.

This morning, I hit my limit. There’s been no ultimatum, just a sense I woke with that my family, my neighbors and I had had enough. As we made the bed, I told my fella Allen what I was thinking. By the time I was out of the shower, Tom and Allen had it arranged. Now, the Chicks, the bus and the missile truck are packing up and moving on down the shore to finish out the Convention at my friend Larry’s house.

“I’m afraid I’m not holding up my part of the bargain,” I say, “expecting Larry to take up the slack.” Through the kitchen window, I watch the neighbor girls in their new clothes head off to the first day of school. In my yard, the big old MDC bus belches exhaust their way, while their mother, a middle-aged woman like me, casts a critical glance and gives me a forbearing nod. Soon I’ll be back to Minnesota mundane.

There’s plenty to do to move the Missile Dick crew, but Tom pours me more coffee and sits down to tell me a fable about asking for help. Tom’s story is about Bosnians, bridges and bikes. The cast of heroes includes a former girl friend, Shelly Buschur, the U.S. Air Force and a NATO commander from Northern Ireland. Did a kid’s bike parade create peace between Bosnians and Serbs? Tom doesn’t go that far. But the opportunity to pitch-in drew the best from everyone involved.

When the story is over, the bus has been packed and my living room floor is again innocent of cots. It’s clear, my concern for the convenience of my friend Larry, the next host to this troupe, is minor. In truth, I’m sad it’s over. “Our goal is to beat the bad guys by having more fun,” Tom had emailed me months ago as we were planning for the Republican Convention. Mission accomplished.

“Once everyone is gone,” says Tom as he hugs me good-bye, “a couple of us will come back and make sure it’s just like we found it. There’s red paint on your driveway. We’ll take care of that.” Like the Cat in the Hat when the mother comes back, all is in order when the bus and missile truck chug out of my yard.

A few days later, when they’re just about to head west to San Francisco, Tom calls to say he wants to come by and take care of the red paint. “Forget it,” I tell him. “Consider it a souvenir.” Now that Tom won’t be coming east again, with his head full of visions and his emails full of schemes and new refurbished hopes, life doesn’t offer as happy a prospect. What’s left is a passel of memories of when the circus stayed at my house and of Tom Kennedy, the best ringleader of them all. That, and a little red paint on my driveway, will have to be enough.

]]> By: Olivier Bonin http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-599242 Olivier Bonin Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:53:35 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-599242 Tom made me discover the hidden side of Burning Man, and guided me through the making of the film "Dust & Illusions", in which he is the narrator. Bringing criticism about Burning Man has not been an easy task, and I have more often found blind rejection rather than interest in it. Tom, with his sharp eye about our human condition, has kept pushing me to move forward and help finalized the film with the voice-over. I am very grateful for his generosity all along the way. The film will be showing on May 2nd as a benefit for Tom's memorial on May 1st: http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screening-in-san-francisco-may-2nd-2009 Tom made me discover the hidden side of Burning Man, and guided me through the making of the film “Dust & Illusions”, in which he is the narrator. Bringing criticism about Burning Man has not been an easy task, and I have more often found blind rejection rather than interest in it. Tom, with his sharp eye about our human condition, has kept pushing me to move forward and help finalized the film with the voice-over. I am very grateful for his generosity all along the way.

The film will be showing on May 2nd as a benefit for Tom’s memorial on May 1st: http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screening-in-san-francisco-may-2nd-2009

]]> By: Shawn Jackson http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598929 Shawn Jackson Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:10:37 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598929 I will miss you Tom..even .though you left Houston some time ago it was like you were just here ... always good to see him each time I was with him it was an adventure... Burningman ..the first actual test ride of the whale later the Contessa-- Whale--Iron Maiden waltz on the playa Righting a Raul wrong for Pepper Fireball at Red Ranch ( even though we set the kid on fire) The cross bow pilot with Scrap daddy Knocking down that remote control plane...with a twinkie... in the Asrodome Your telling me what a gifting economy was That crazy bus ride after the illumnated cruise after party Your Booming Doc-ter Jack-son each time we would meet Walking through Sue's hippo farm over 300 she says The die in front of the TV station to stop a war That one-eye fez cap I gave your because it fit your Onee-eyed wonder Nash and how it now peers back at me through your pictures now Yours was the safest bear hug I have ever had Yeah I called you today ..hoping to hear your voice... and I woke Flash up..sorry Flash ,..thanks for sharing with me so early this morning...I will be you and the others in spirit since I can not be with you to celibrate the life of and mourn the passing of a generous heart and an inspiration to us all Missing you just doesn't seem to say it all..since it feels like our journey was incomplete ... Farewell brother, teacher, artist , friend I guess I will have to finally read that book you told me about I will miss you Tom..even .though you left Houston some time ago it was like you were just here … always good to see him each time I was with him it was an adventure…

Burningman ..the first actual test ride of the whale
later the Contessa– Whale–Iron Maiden waltz on the playa
Righting a Raul wrong for Pepper
Fireball at Red Ranch ( even though we set the kid on fire)
The cross bow pilot with Scrap daddy
Knocking down that remote control plane…with a twinkie… in the Asrodome
Your telling me what a gifting economy was
That crazy bus ride after the illumnated cruise after party
Your Booming Doc-ter Jack-son each time we would meet
Walking through Sue’s hippo farm over 300 she says
The die in front of the TV station to stop a war
That one-eye fez cap I gave your because it fit your Onee-eyed wonder Nash and how it now peers back at me through your pictures now

Yours was the safest bear hug I have ever had

Yeah I called you today ..hoping to hear your voice… and I woke Flash up..sorry Flash ,..thanks for sharing with me so early this morning…I will be you and the others in spirit since I can not be with you to celibrate the life of and mourn the passing of a generous heart and an inspiration to us all

Missing you just doesn’t seem to say it all..since it feels like our journey was incomplete … Farewell brother, teacher, artist , friend

I guess I will have to finally read that book you told me about

]]> By: Jon Alloway http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598662 Jon Alloway Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:16:58 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598662 Tom Kennedy was a great friend and a brother. We shared many adventures some of which involved Skinner's bowling ball cannon. Some involved rolling in his art car creations. Some involved alternative planes of perception. Some just involved the simplicity of just hanging out. I am devastated by the loss. Over the past few years, I have periodically been a guest at the house of Flash, Dana, Tom, Haideen, and Chris DeMonteray. It's been my San Francisco home. Each day waking up around there is an adventure. You never know what you are in for. I have many funny stories but this is not the time or the place. The most important part of the experience revolved around the breakfast table, and the morning ritual of toast, thanks to Chris. Invariably the conversations at this breakfast table with any combination of the residents were beyond platinum. Sometimes they were very heated, most of the time hilarious and all of the time provocative as we shared our various war stories, rants, dreams and perceptions. Most of the time Tom was there and now I'm very sad that I won't experience this in the same way again. Tom was a man amongst men, and his death has so deeply impacted so many from our wonderful community of oddballs misfits and broken toys… ah hem… artists, pranksters, and cacophonists. My deepest condolences go out to Haideen, unquestionably Tom’s best friend, a lovely spirit and general over all wonderful woman. I can not possibly say enough good about them both. My heart goes out to Flash, Dana, Haideen, Chris, Tom’s mother, and pretty much everyone else devastated by Tom’s passing. I am completely floored by the kind words and impact that Tom has had on so many. It’s been incredibly spaced out all week over this monumental loss while digging through my vast and unwieldy archives for images, video, & memories. It’s like I’ve been tripping Tom, and quite the emotional roller coaster. Here’s a link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/99773174@N00/sets/72157616648137595/ Watch the short videos for an extra special dose of the Tom Kennedy whimsy. Full fins ahead, I’ll see you in the next dimension Tom Tom Kennedy was a great friend and a brother. We shared many adventures some of which involved Skinner’s bowling ball cannon.
Some involved rolling in his art car creations. Some involved alternative planes of perception. Some just involved the simplicity of just hanging out. I am devastated by the loss.

Over the past few years, I have periodically been a guest at the house of Flash, Dana, Tom, Haideen, and Chris DeMonteray. It’s been my San Francisco home. Each day waking up around there is an adventure. You never know what you are in for. I have many funny stories but this is not the time or the place. The most important part of the experience revolved around the breakfast table, and the morning ritual of toast, thanks to Chris. Invariably the conversations at this breakfast table with any combination of the residents were beyond platinum. Sometimes they were very heated, most of the time hilarious and all of the time provocative as we shared our various war stories, rants, dreams and perceptions. Most of the time Tom was there and now I’m very sad that I won’t experience this in the same way again.

Tom was a man amongst men, and his death has so deeply impacted so many from our wonderful community of oddballs
misfits and broken toys… ah hem… artists, pranksters, and cacophonists.

My deepest condolences go out to Haideen, unquestionably Tom’s best friend, a lovely spirit and general over all wonderful woman. I can not possibly say enough good about them both.

My heart goes out to Flash, Dana, Haideen, Chris, Tom’s mother, and pretty much everyone else devastated by Tom’s passing. I am
completely floored by the kind words and impact that Tom has
had on so many.

It’s been incredibly spaced out all week over this monumental loss
while digging through my vast and unwieldy archives for images,
video, & memories. It’s like I’ve been tripping Tom, and quite the emotional roller coaster.

Here’s a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99773174@N00/sets/72157616648137595/

Watch the short videos for an extra special dose of the Tom Kennedy whimsy.

Full fins ahead, I’ll see you in the next dimension Tom

]]> By: Kelly Lyles http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598660 Kelly Lyles Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:13:44 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598660 We were in Vegas (with artcartists Rev. Charles & the Northrups) when we heard the news from Jim Skinner in Portland. It was incomprehensible! I'm numb, like everyone else, but reading through the tributes gets the tears flowing. Tom was absolutely beautiful in every aspect (noone's stating the obvious, the man was GORGEOUS!). Physically, his spirit, his art, his drive all "Larger than Life" literally and figuratively. Jim Simmons called Tom a "god" amongst our tribe, but I preferred to think of him as our revered Homecoming King, the one all the women swooned over & all the men wanted to be. We were all universally thrilled when he found his Queen in Haideen, and seemingly his "Raison d'Etre" in politics and causes. They did the things we all talk about, spreading hard-driving messages with a spoonful of sugar. One of my best memories is at Burning Man in '99 or so when the Rangers (or Nevada cops?) were trying to halt Artcars speeding across the playa (some interlopers had been executing dangerous stunts, one broke an arm jumping car to car). Tom was intervening - a giant swathed in Bandoliers of bullets (we were 'disgruntled postal workers') . As our spokesman he was placating the lawmen with "...but Artcars are the peaceful ones...", the juxtaposition tickled my funny bone. Another memory is being hit by the One-Eyed Wonder's Twinkie launcher in the astrodome just before he shot the remote controlled plane down (& a spoof lawsuit ensued). Tom's fireworks hats. Too many fun memories to list. OK, it's a reminder to get away from the computer & go have some fun, life is short but oh so sweet... Kelly We were in Vegas (with artcartists Rev. Charles & the Northrups) when we heard the news from Jim Skinner in Portland. It was incomprehensible! I’m numb, like everyone else, but reading through the tributes gets the tears flowing. Tom was absolutely beautiful in every aspect (noone’s stating the obvious, the man was GORGEOUS!). Physically, his spirit, his art, his drive all “Larger than Life” literally and figuratively. Jim Simmons called Tom a “god” amongst our tribe, but I preferred to think of him as our revered Homecoming King, the one all the women swooned over & all the men wanted to be. We were all universally thrilled when he found his Queen in Haideen, and seemingly his “Raison d’Etre” in politics and causes. They did the things we all talk about, spreading hard-driving messages with a spoonful of sugar.
One of my best memories is at Burning Man in ‘99 or so when the Rangers (or Nevada cops?) were trying to halt Artcars speeding across the playa (some interlopers had been executing dangerous stunts, one broke an arm jumping car to car). Tom was intervening – a giant swathed in Bandoliers of bullets (we were ‘disgruntled postal workers’) . As our spokesman he was placating the lawmen with “…but Artcars are the peaceful ones…”, the juxtaposition tickled my funny bone. Another memory is being hit by the One-Eyed Wonder’s Twinkie launcher in the astrodome just before he shot the remote controlled plane down (& a spoof lawsuit ensued). Tom’s fireworks hats. Too many fun memories to list. OK, it’s a reminder to get away from the computer & go have some fun, life is short but oh so sweet…
Kelly

]]> By: Alex Harrah http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598535 Alex Harrah Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:31:14 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598535 I first met Tom in 1991 or 92 ? he was the first to make me feel welcome to the art car family . He was the life of the party. One fond memory I have is when he and some volunteers came to my house in the suburbs in his school bus to deliver a trophy, I had no idea they were coming ,it was quite a site and a nice surprise. I remember when he moved to California feeling sad for our loss then, we were loosing our cheerleader. But happy for his new adventure. He did more in those few years than most do in a lifetime. I was really proud of his Bosnia trip ! . This just ain't right !! Love ya Tom . Alex Harrah I first met Tom in 1991 or 92 ? he was the first to make me feel welcome to the art car family . He was the life of the party. One fond memory I have is when he and some volunteers came to my house in the suburbs in his school bus to deliver a trophy, I had no idea they were coming ,it
was quite a site and a nice surprise. I remember when he moved to California feeling sad for our loss then, we were loosing our cheerleader. But happy for his new adventure. He did more in those few years than most do in a lifetime.
I was really proud of his Bosnia trip ! . This just ain’t right !!
Love ya Tom . Alex Harrah

]]> By: Cheri Ratgirl http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598480 Cheri Ratgirl Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:29:03 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598480 I've known him for 15 years and I am completely devastated and shocked. He was an incredible person on so many levels that I can't even put into words. We are all very lucky to have been a part of his life and this is such a terrible loss for us and for the people he would have brought smiles to in the future. The world still needs you Tom... I want to thank you because YOU really LIVED. YOU were an inspiration. I am sure where ever you are now you are doing the same :) keep smiling... I can hear you laughing now. I am sorry that I am so far away and I just can't make it to your memorials, please forgive me... I wish I had just one person here who knew you to share memories with. But you are in my heart always.... I am so sad, but I know you wouldn't want that, so I will try to be ok and smile again soon. Love, Cheri I’ve known him for 15 years and I am completely devastated and shocked. He was an incredible person on so many levels that I can’t even put into words. We are all very lucky to have been a part of his life and this is such a terrible loss for us and for the people he would have brought smiles to in the future.

The world still needs you Tom… I want to thank you because YOU really LIVED. YOU were an inspiration. I am sure where ever you are now you are doing the same :) keep smiling… I can hear you laughing now.

I am sorry that I am so far away and I just can’t make it to your memorials, please forgive me… I wish I had just one person here who knew you to share memories with. But you are in my heart always…. I am so sad, but I know you wouldn’t want that, so I will try to be ok and smile again soon.

Love, Cheri

]]> By: David P. Stephens http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598303 David P. Stephens Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:54:57 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598303 What can be said that hasn't already been said? What does one say at a time like this? Sometimes silence is the only option - sometimes it helps us to focus. I met Tom in Houston, 1998, and again in 2000. He was the embodiment of a gentle man, with the heart and soul of a child, not afraid to speak his mind or take a stand for what he thought was right., all the while following visions of color, shape and harmony and laughter. Swim Tom. Swim deep with the dolphins, the sharks and the elusive creatures of the deeps. Swim close to the surface where the moonlight and the sunlight play and dance - go quietly, go far. Your spirit is manifest. What can be said that hasn’t already been said? What does one say at a time like this? Sometimes silence is the only option – sometimes it helps us to focus. I met Tom in Houston, 1998, and again in 2000. He was the embodiment of a gentle man, with the heart and soul of a child, not afraid to speak his mind or take a stand for what he thought was right., all the while following visions of color, shape and harmony and laughter. Swim Tom. Swim deep with the dolphins, the sharks and the elusive creatures of the deeps. Swim close to the surface where the moonlight and the sunlight play and dance – go quietly, go far. Your spirit is manifest.

]]> By: Gary http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598249 Gary Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:43:35 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598249 I really don't know what to say, I'm in shock. I really don’t know what to say, I’m in shock.

]]> By: Baron Ambrosia http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-598069 Baron Ambrosia Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:03:56 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-598069 A brilliant legacy and beautiful spirit. A brilliant legacy and beautiful spirit.

]]> By: elise fried http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-597923 elise fried Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:28:58 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-597923 To the poet who can make manifest his vision, and share it with a thousand others. Not only words, but melting and twisting metal, taking seriously the fleeting muse and forming it for all to form their own lasting poems... Whales chasing ships in the dust. Forever. Much love, Elise To the poet who can make manifest his vision, and share it with a thousand others. Not only words, but melting and twisting metal, taking seriously the fleeting muse and forming it for all to form their own lasting poems…
Whales chasing ships in the dust. Forever.

Much love,
Elise

]]> By: Carl Hanni http://laughingsquid.com/goodbye-to-tom-kennedy-art-car-artist-activist-teacher-prankster/comment-page-3/#comment-597625 Carl Hanni Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:06:43 +0000 http://laughingsquid.com/?p=21701#comment-597625 I was fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time with Tom when he was staying in Bisbee, AZ, in 2001? 2002? Tom was, really, the best company. I was honored to be able to drive the One Eyed Wonder in the 4th of July Parade while he drove Ripper the Shark, altho I seem to remember we just called it the Eyeball Car. Kate, Gretchen and other artcarartists were also in the parade. I was also got to spend some time with him in Portland and Tucson, and the last time I saw him in Douglas, not long after he got married. We spent several weeks in Bisbee working on a plan to drive Ripper through Bosnia and other Eastern European countries, using Ripper The Friendly Shark as an ice-breaker to bring a sense of peace and fun to areas that had recently been torn apart by a series of civil wars. This was something that Tom believed in in an instinctual, deeply felt way. There was no show-boating about the guy, just a huge amount of natural ebullience and joy of living. The plan, as it was concieved, sort of fizzled after Bush started the war in Iraq. Although it was probably needed more then than ever, somehow it took the air out of our sails--at least for the time being. Three memories: *Tom driving One Eyed Wonder to Tucson to see the great Czech band Uz Jsme Doma and blowing everyone's mind out in front of the Solar Culture Gallery when we let loose with the fire canon, sending sheet of flame 20 feet out of the back (or was it front?) of the car. Yeeeh haw! *Shooting twinkies out of the twinkie mortar installed in One Eyed Wonder on the 4th of July in Bisbee, one of which hit a woman in a fast moving wheel chair who happened to drive straight into the path of an 50 yard, arcing, fast-moving desert cake. Kasplatt!! Tom, naturally, charmed her and made her realize that she hadn't been an actual target. *Blasting through a roll of film of Ripper being loaded onto a semi in Bisbee, on its way to a shipping container, in route to France. Photos are around...somewhere. Tom was giddy, and a bit nervous, and we toasted Ripper's journey with mid-day beers. Anyone that knew Tom knew how he made people happy just by showing up. He had that effect on people--instant levity. All of you art car people out there know this, but it doesn't hurt to say it: art cars make people smile. Pretty much all people, as far as I can tell. Time spent with Tom and his cars meant being surrounded by happy, smiling people. That was an incredible gift that he possessed, and the memory of how happy he was the last time I saw him, in Douglas, after getting married will forever be my last visual memory of Tom. It was perfect, fitting and, like the man himself, perfectly real. Carl Hanni, Tucson, 4/15/09 I was fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time with Tom when he was staying in Bisbee, AZ, in 2001? 2002? Tom was, really, the best company. I was honored to be able to drive the One Eyed Wonder in the 4th of July Parade while he drove Ripper the Shark, altho I seem to remember we just called it the Eyeball Car. Kate, Gretchen and other artcarartists were also in the parade. I was also got to spend some time with him in Portland and Tucson, and the last time I saw him in Douglas, not long after he got married.

We spent several weeks in Bisbee working on a plan to drive Ripper through Bosnia and other Eastern European countries, using Ripper The Friendly Shark as an ice-breaker to bring a sense of peace and fun to areas that had recently been torn apart by a series of civil wars. This was something that Tom believed in in an instinctual, deeply felt way. There was no show-boating about the guy, just a huge amount of natural ebullience and joy of living. The plan, as it was concieved, sort of fizzled after Bush started the war in Iraq. Although it was probably needed more then than ever, somehow it took the air out of our sails–at least for the time being.

Three memories:
*Tom driving One Eyed Wonder to Tucson to see the great Czech band Uz Jsme Doma and blowing everyone’s mind out in front of the Solar Culture Gallery when we let loose with the fire canon, sending sheet of flame 20 feet out of the back (or was it front?) of the car. Yeeeh haw!
*Shooting twinkies out of the twinkie mortar installed in One Eyed Wonder on the 4th of July in Bisbee, one of which hit a woman in a fast moving wheel chair who happened to drive straight into the path of an 50 yard, arcing, fast-moving desert cake. Kasplatt!! Tom, naturally, charmed her and made her realize that she hadn’t been an actual target.
*Blasting through a roll of film of Ripper being loaded onto a semi in Bisbee, on its way to a shipping container, in route to France. Photos are around…somewhere. Tom was giddy, and a bit nervous, and we toasted Ripper’s journey with mid-day beers.

Anyone that knew Tom knew how he made people happy just by showing up. He had that effect on people–instant levity. All of you art car people out there know this, but it doesn’t hurt to say it: art cars make people smile. Pretty much all people, as far as I can tell. Time spent with Tom and his cars meant being surrounded by happy, smiling people. That was an incredible gift that he possessed, and the memory of how happy he was the last time I saw him, in Douglas, after getting married will forever be my last visual memory of Tom. It was perfect, fitting and, like the man himself, perfectly real.

Carl Hanni, Tucson, 4/15/09

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