Art legend DAVID EDWARD BYRD needs your help!

Artist DAVID EDWARD BYRD is a creative legend. Now he needs our help.

“There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.” Such was a lyric by the great Paul Williams, and it dances inside my head whenever I think of my friend David Edward Byrd.

My name is Adam McDaniel, and I’m fundraising on behalf of David, who needs our help.

ABOUT DAVID BYRD

David’s work in illustration is far too extensive to properly summarize in a few bullet points, but here’s my lowly attempt:

But to simply call David Byrd an artistic legend would somehow understate the sweetness and daring of the man himself. For decades, he has been an inspiring teacher, a social trendsetter, a creative visionary, and an indefatigable advocate – both for LGBT rights, and compassion for animals.

When I first met David back in 2008, we hit it off immediately, and became fast friends; if I was ever reserved or doubted his sincerity during those first few weeks, it was only because I felt so insignificant, and my talent so unworthy, whenever in David’s company. That an artistic giant such as he could welcome me into his circle so openly seemed too good to be true.

David is warm, gracious, and funny as hell; a gentle soul with the sharpest wit; a self-described “old hippie” who relishes sharing sordid, salacious tales of Broadway and Hollywood’s bygone era – while keeping very keenly abreast with current events and today’s political climate. I’m amazed how he manages to keep his sweet, genuine personality so devoid of cynicism and disillusionment. He’s seen, lived through, and endured so much -- yet takes everything life’s thrown at him in stride, and with grace. He’s an old soul with a young heart.

A PLEA FOR HELP

“We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

--John F. Kennedy

However great an artist’s illustrious career and accomplishments, even the most talented among us still face the all too real challenges of trying to scrape by while growing old.

David always measured his success by the work he created and the friendships he forged. He was never rich, and, even at the height of his career, he often had to scrape by, living as wisely and frugally as possible.

David now approaches his 83rd birthday. Unfortunately, his health has been beset with many dire complications – and, alas, exorbitant medical costs. Years of extensive surgeries, critical medications, and hospital care have crippled him financially as well as physically.

After 43 years of living in Los Angeles, David and his husband, artist Jolino Beserra, have made the painful but necessary decision to sell their beloved home and move out of state. Yet doing so poses even further financial and strategic challenges; they must prepare their current house for the market, find a new home in close proximity to adequate hospital care, raise money for moving expenses, etc…

Such hardships are insurmountable in the face of David’s escalating medical bills. This is why we’re asking for your help.

Any contribution you can make, however small, will still be of help. David needs it now more than ever. He, Jolino, and I, would sincerely appreciate it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

To learn more about David’s work, and have the chance to buy signed prints, go to his official website.

To buy David’s book POSTER CHILD, click here!

David is also auctioning off a number of original paintings and collections of prints. Go to his eBay page for more information.