Majewski
Today when I got home from work I learned of the passing of Michal Majewski. Going to shows in Oshawa, you just knew Michal. His artwork adorned countless show posters and his presence was guaranteed at every good concert no matter who was playing. I think I first met him at the Polish Hall (where he often put on shows), but I honestly can’t remember our first encounter. Either way, going to as many shows as I did meant I’d see Michal most weekends, and we would always chat for a while. I was always curious about what he was up to, since his work was just so inspiring to me. Looking back at my own show posters from that time, there are many instances where I tried to copy his style. If he noticed, he never said anything. I truly believe he had more than enough talent to really get known for his work one day if he wanted to. No doubt.
The only time I ever actually commissioned something from Michal was the last year we did the Hometown Hoedown, December 2007. We had all the bands booked, but the shows were quickly approaching and we didn’t have a poster. I hesitantly emailed him asking if he could quickly make some posters for us, thinking it was kind of obnoxious to email him with no warning asking for a complicated poster to be done in such a short amount of time. To my surprise and delight, Mike said he’d do it, and a few days later I met him in the parking lot of the Elvis on one of the coldest damn days of the year to pick up the posters from him. He didn’t need to do that, he had other stuff on his plate. Instead, he helped us out, enormously. That’s just they kind of person he was.
Rest in peace Majewski.
Take a look at some more of his amazing work here.
Category: Everyday | Tags: Oshawa | 6 comments »
July 13th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Such a great guy… he’ll be sorely missed.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Well said, Colin.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I hope you don’t mind Colin, but I used that picture of Mike from your flickr for my own little post – the best picture of him I could find.
This is a really great blog you’ve got here. Hope you keep it going a long time.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Hey Pius, of course I don’t mind you using my photo. It captures a great moment on the porch of the Velvet Elvis. Mike made going to places like the Elvis so enjoyable and I’m happy I was able to capture him having fun.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
ahhh such a rad dude. we will all miss seeing him around.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
That’s a nice tribute to Michal, Colin. It’s been great to hear all these memories over the past week.
That photo does indeed capture a great moment. For me (I’m the one sitting between Michal and Fred), it’s important because it’s the very night that Michal and I reconnected after several years of being out of touch.
Since that night at the Elvis, Michal and I spent more time together – he even came as my date to a Polish wedding last August.
In addition to being immensely talented, adventurous and ambitious, Michal was a kind, welcoming and non-judgmental person. I feel so lucky that I had the chance to get to know him again, and I’m going to miss him very much.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.