When memories come back… Loukas from Fanes

I honestly admit that I didn’t know how to start this post today.

I’m listening to Shade and memories came back to me that make me laugh and cry at the same time.
My soul of a lonely artist also spoke today after my experiences…

I would like to tell you about my Friends who supported me a lot during my long photographic journey, believed in me, and I listened to their valuable advice.

Unfortunately… They died… They left me here…

But I never forget them because I owe them a lot.

Let me mention today a person whose abilities I admired even when I was still living far away from Rhodes, and who left us this year.

And this was the first person, artistically gifted, who stood on my artistic path, because I think I can say that now.

This was also the first person I knew from Rhodes, whom I knew through the internet, and whom I met right after moving to Rhodes, and who charmed me with her original character and huge, hospitable heart.
Loukas from Fanes, whose work is certainly known to frequent visitors to Rhodes, and whoever does not, should definitely get to know him.
I was so enchanted by his colorful houses in Fanes that I started photographing them all the time, and eventually I created a FB page Rhodian doors and windows:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075780949671

I can honestly tell you that in Rhodes, after sunrise and sunset, I love photographing old doors and windows the most, because I simply feel the soul of my ancestors in them!
I owe this to Loukas, with whom I had many warm conversations about art and life.
Over coffee, and sometimes meze made by him, we could talk for hours.
Always a smile, a hug, a kind word, great company, intelligent conversations about his art and my photography.
He was the first person to ask for an autograph on my calendar.
The first person who treated me as an artist – photographer.
He was a great inspiration to me!
He also told me something important, that we should follow our dreams and what is in our hearts, even when we are left alone with these dreams. Same like my Mother..
And that is what I will do Loukas till the end of my life!
Thank you for your art, friendship and a few good lectures on life.
Always in my heart…
And to you, the readers of this post, I ask: if you are in Rhodes, visit Fanes and put a flower on his grave. He really deserves it!

Thank you.