Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Statement: “When you have ALS, your body shuts down on the inside exactly as it does on the outside.

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Statement: “When you have ALS, your body shuts down on the inside exactly as it does on the outside.

“When you have ALS, your body shuts down on the inside exactly as it does on the outside.  There even comes a point where food actually makes you sick - your body can’t digest anymore,  but still wants it.  That’s where I am now, unfortunately.  I don’t feel like I’m eating enough, but am almost relieved???  I almost feel guilty for contributing to my own demise, but my body is starting to reject food…”

~ Gary Crook | artist, Louisville, Kentucky 2014

> If you’d like to donate directly to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

Gary was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) on 12/20/2013.  Gary started noticing the first signs of ALS in the Spring of 2013, but we didn't know what was going on until just before the Holidays when he got his diagnosis.  He has always been a healthy man with a lot to offer the artist community.  He has influenced several aspiring artists over the years teaching at various colleges and schools and leaving his mark with inspiration of design.  A mark that seemed to last forever-he still communicates with a few of his students from art classes he taught as early as 1997.

He has touched so many people and he was always the guy to help others, but now he is the one needing help--which is hard for him to accept because he still sees himself as the big, strong man.

He is also a great husband and father. Gary choose a life where he could work from home since Karen is an Air Force Veteran and to spend more time with his family. He has been married for 18 years to his wife where they strive to keep a tight knit family and running a small gift store, Lexie's Trading Post where they sold there own Family Skin Care Line, Lexie's of Louisville and where the kids are often seen in the day to day operations. They, the kids- Dylan and Jordan- Love working our quarterly charity drives dedicated to the likes of animal rescues, to food drives for the local food pantry, to free outdoor cinema family night's to their local community.

Since Gary has ALWAYS been an artist, he is attempting to create art for as long as he still can. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control his hands, but this latest attempt is another victory and a further attempt to help his wife in supporting his family since he cannot teach anymore.

Thank You for your time reading about Gary and your consideration and possible donation. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

If you'd like to donate directly to Gary Crook's ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

* Also, if you'd like to visit Gary Crook | artist's Official Web Page, where there are 20+ years of artwork and writings, check: http://garycrookartist.com 

New ALS Fund Artwork by Gary Crook | artist:"Art Therapy Number 23," dated 2014

New ALS Fund Artwork by Gary Crook | artist:"Art Therapy Number 23," dated 2014

Mixed  Media on Canvas

Help contribute to Gary Crook's ALS Fund by buying his artwork on prints and merchandise.  Check out his latest artwork.

* The “Art Therapy” series was started in late summer 2013 when Gary Crook was initially misdiagnosed for depression and/or tension (it later turned out to be ALS).  Needless to say Gary did NOT do well on the five different anti-depressants that he was prescribed in the four months he was on the anti-depressant medications.  This series was an attempt to mitigate the medications side effects.

The concept was simple, create artwork steadily for one hour and at the end of one hour, what was done was done…

The series ran until early spring 2014.

Gary was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) on 12/20/2013.  Gary started noticing the first signs of ALS in the Spring of 2013, but we didn't know what was going on until just before the Holidays when he got his diagnosis.  He has always been a healthy man with a lot to offer the artist community.  He has influenced several aspiring artists over the years teaching at various colleges and schools and leaving his mark with inspiration of design.  A mark that seemed to last forever-he still communicates with a few of his students from art classes he taught as early as 1997.

He has touched so many people and he was always the guy to help others, but now he is the one needing help--which is hard for him to accept because he still sees himself as the big, strong man.

He is also a great husband and father. Gary choose a life where he could work from home since Karen is an Air Force Veteran and to spend more time with his family. He has been married for 18 years to his wife where they strive to keep a tight knit family and running a small gift store, Lexie's Trading Post where they sold there own Family Skin Care Line, Lexie's of Louisville and where the kids are often seen in the day to day operations. They, the kids- Dylan and Jordan- Love working our quarterly charity drives dedicated to the likes of animal rescues, to food drives for the local food pantry, to free outdoor cinema family night's to their local community.

Since Gary has ALWAYS been an artist, he is attempting to create art for as long as he still can. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control his hands, but this latest attempt is another victory and a further attempt to help his wife in supporting his family since he cannot teach anymore.

Thank You for your time reading about Gary and your consideration and possible donation. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. 

If you'd like to donate directly to Gary Crook's ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

* Also, if you'd like to visit Gary Crook | artist's Official Web Page, where there are 20+ years of artwork and writings, check: http://garycrookartist.com 

"Art Therapy Number 24: the Artist Fighting the Ravages of ALS" by Gary Crook | artist, dated 2014

"Art Therapy Number 24: the Artist Fighting the Ravages of ALS" by Gary Crook | artist, dated 2014

Digital X-Ray print of paper

Help contribute to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund by buying his artwork on prints and merchandise.  Check out his latest artwork.

* The “Art Therapy” series was started in late summer 2013 when Gary Crook was initially misdiagnosed for depression and/or tension (it later turned out to be ALS).  Needless to say Gary did NOT do well on the five different anti-depressants that he was prescribed in the four months he was on the anti-depressant medications.  This series was an attempt to mitigate the medications side effects.

The concept was simple, create artwork steadily for one hour and at the end of one hour, what was done was done…

The series ran until early spring 2014.




Help contribute to Gary Crook's ALS fund by buying his artwork on prints and merchandise. Check out his latest artwork.

> If you’d like to donate directly to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund, please go to: www.gofundme.com/60j52k

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: I still can’t believe that I (Me!) am the sick person in the room!

The adult Crook's - dated 2011

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: I still can’t believe that I (Me!) am the sick person in the room!

My youngest sister just left from a two day visit (BTW there are five of us kids, three girls and two boys - I’m the middle child!…=0).  She traveled all the way from New Jersey with her husband Kevin and their 13 month old daughter Bella. I thank them sincerely for taking the time and effort, but alas I am not good company anymore.  No one can understand me now when I talk - so the conservations are VERY one-sided, I tire very easily and take naps often, and make everyone leave the room when I pee (now I pee in a “urinal” while sitting in my levitating Lay-Z-Boy).  Plus, I keep the house freezing cold because the hot flashes have returned with a vengeance…

Anyway, the time invariably comes for us (whether visiting family or friends) to all say our tearful goodbyes - not knowing if this will really be the last one, and I can’t escape the thought: “I still can’t believe that I (Me!) am the sick person in the room!”

And it’s been that way since my diagnosis.  Don’t get me wrong, I know I have ALS and it’s actually killing me - I’m not kidding myself about that anymore, I’ve definitely hit the Step 5 stage in the The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief: Acceptance.  

But so many times have I been on the other side of the walker, so to speak, and offering MY help, MY condolences and MY thoughts and prayers to the sick person in the room.  Now I’M the sick person in the room and it’s a surreal and emotionally painful experience, to say the least...

I mean this just does not happen to me (besides the occasional cold/flu), I’ve never been “sick” a day in my life - I’m not used to these visits being directed to me. I still can’t believe that I (Me!) am the sick person in the room!  

My disbelief at this reversal, at times, STILL surprises even me - and I'm living it everyday...

~ Gary Crook | artist, Louisville, Kentucky 2014

> If you’d like to donate directly to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: In my Traditional Schooling years, I went to TWO different Elementary Schools, THREE different Middle Schools (I failed 7th grade and had to repeat it), and THREE different High Schools

The Crook children: Jordan Dylan and Malcolm - FirstDay School 2010

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: In my Traditional Schooling years, I went to TWO different Elementary Schools, THREE different Middle Schools (I failed 7th grade and had to repeat it), and THREE different High Schools 

- some in different parts of the same city, some in different states, and some in different countries (Germany, my adopted father was a career fighter pilot in the Air Force), some by choice and some not.  

I obviously had a very difficult time in traditional school, in fact, I hated it!  School, to me during that time, was a gut wrenching, nerve wracking, soul crushing yearly endeavor which consisted of endless Parent Teacher “Strategy Sessions” designed to “Motivate Gary,” nightly battles and screaming matches with the parents about homework, Lying, Referrals and inevitably long-term groundings...  

And I’ll be Damned if I didn’t repeat the EXACT SAME behavior with my own school aged children!...  =0(

Now I look back with the clock ticking on my earthly existence, and as a parent myself now, and ask: “How did our culture LET our education system into our homes on such a personal level?  How (and Why) did the act of learning get so ugly?  WHEN did we give this bureaucratic entity sooooooooooo much control over our familial tranquility?”

I did end up graduating in what could best be described as night school/correspondence high school, and eventually found myself receiving my bachelor’s and eventually master’s degrees - MUCH to my parent’s utter befuddlement!... =0)

Anyway, the moral of this story is this: humans cannot be forced-fed ANYTHING!, and that includes education and/or motivation - I did not get interested in school until college when it became interesting to ME! - it’s simply not worth the nightly battles with your loved one’s (and this is coming from a former college professor!).

So be good to those underage students who live under your roof, and DON’T let some random teacher and/or some bureaucratic entity sooooooooooo much control over your familial tranquility - DON’T be afraid to Push Back a little when you’ve had enough of the berating of your precious children; after all they don’t even know them!

Most importantly, don’t let “school” create an ugly rift in your household, as I now know, Life is indeed Way too Short!

~ Gary Crook | artist, Louisville, Kentucky 2014

>  If you’d like to donate directly to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

New ALS Fund Artwork by Gary Crook | artist: "Art Therapy Number 6" - Dated 2014

New ALS Fund Artwork by Gary Crook | artist: "Art Therapy Number 6" - Dated 2014

Acrylic and Latex on Paper

Help contribute to Gary Crook's ALS Fund by buying his artwork on prints and merchandise.  Check out his latest artwork.

* The “Art Therapy” series was started in late summer 2013 when Gary Crook was initially misdiagnosed for depression and/or tension (it later turned out to be ALS).  Needless to say Gary did NOT do well on the five different anti-depressants that he was prescribed in the four months he was on the anti-depressant medications.  This series was an attempt to mitigate the medications side effects.

The concept was simple, create artwork steadily for one hour and at the end of one hour, what was done was done…

The series ran until early spring 2014.

Gary was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) on 12/20/2013.  Gary started noticing the first signs of ALS in the Spring of 2013, but we didn't know what was going on until just before the Holidays when he got his diagnosis.  He has always been a healthy man with a lot to offer the artist community.  He has influenced several aspiring artists over the years teaching at various colleges and schools and leaving his mark with inspiration of design.  A mark that seemed to last forever-he still communicates with a few of his students from art classes he taught as early as 1997.

He has touched so many people and he was always the guy to help others, but now he is the one needing help--which is hard for him to accept because he still sees himself as the big, strong man.

He is also a great husband and father. Gary choose a life where he could work from home since Karen is an Air Force Veteran and to spend more time with his family. He has been married for 18 years to his wife where they strive to keep a tight knit family and running a small gift store, Lexie's Trading Post where they sold there own Family Skin Care Line, Lexie's of Louisville and where the kids are often seen in the day to day operations. The, the kids- Dylan and Jordan- Love working our quarterly charity drives dedicated to the likes of animal rescues, to food drives for the local food pantry, to free outdoor cinema family night's to their local community.

Since Gary has ALWAYS been an artist, he is attempting to create art for as long as he still can. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control his hands, but this latest attempt is another victory and a further attempt to help his wife in supporting his family since he cannot teach anymore.

Thank You for your time reading about Gary and your consideration and possible donation. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. 

If you'd like to donate directly to Gary Crook's ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k

* Also, if you'd like to visit Gary Crook | artist's Official Web Page, where there are 20+ years of artwork and writings, check: http://garycrookartist.com 

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: Here are the shirts for this years ALS Walk. Gary's Team is called Gary Crook | Fighting Artist.

Gary Crook | artist ALS Fund Life Factoid: Here are the shirts for this years ALS Walk. Gary's Team is called Gary Crook | Fighting Artist.

Karen and the kids will be doing it so if anyone wants to join them you are more than welcome, it’s only a mile :0)

General info: 

Louisville ALS Walk ~ Saturday | May 10, 2014

• WALK CHECK-IN: 8:30 AM
• WALK STARTS: 10:00 AM
• LOCATION: PAPA JOHN'S CORPORATE CAMPUS
• DISTANCE: 1 MILE

The Spring Walks are gaining momentum and everyone is getting their teams registered to Walk in Louisville or NKY this May! Way to go Lisa Crain, Tynia Nichols, Jessica Higdon, Nathan Eten,Frances and Joe Wise, Deroy Scott, Rob Kester,Michael Deaton, Jami Smith, Serena Combs, Celeste and Dan Harrigan, Laura Thieneman, Diane Scheler, Stacey Wallace, Debbie Higdon, Amber Lancaster, Joe Menez, Janet Rexroat, Francie Ueltschi, Karen Crook, Kristy Perkins,and Dana Smith Boggs

Haven't registered yourself or your team yet? 

Click on your Walk link below and register today and get ready to Walk to Defeat ALS!

• web: http://alsa.org/Louisville
• web: http://alsa.org/NKY

~ Gary Crook | artist, Louisville, Kentucky 2014

> If you’d like to donate directly to Gary Crook’s ALS Fund, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/60j52k