REST IN PEACE

my grandfather, nickolas d’agostino, 1908-2010, passed away yesterday. he was the single biggest creative influence in my life. he was born in nyc, grew up at the tail end of the “gangs of new york” era of new york. he hopped trains, he lived like a hobo. he survived a rattlesnake bite on the ass in the desert. he drove a fire truck off a cliff in long island and lived to tell the tale, and pay for the wrecked fire truck. he never had a drivers license. he wore alot of brown. he met my grandmother on a bus, and proposed to her on their first date. he was the oldest living member of trout unlimited, a large national fishing organization. he was the first member of my family to go to california. his uncle art directed king kong and got him a job working on sets in hollywood. he met walt disney, had cocktails with john wayne, and went fishing with rock hudson. he also once told ronald regan to fuck off, right before getting fired from a movie set. he is the only proof in my family tree that i am not adopted. he was a very creative man, who made his living by making things with his hands. i loved him very much, and wouldnt be the artist i am today without his influence…