Denver Art Community Loses a Large Slice of "Character"
The local art community is mourning the loss of a friend, artist and restoration specialist. Edwin Friedman, "Eddie" passed away Sunday, June 5th. Eddie was best known among art and antique 
dealers, galleries, picture framers and collectors for his skills in revitalizing aged and damaged artwork. He was also a highly trained artist who coined himself a colorist, perhaps best known for the mastery of his oil on panel Koi fish paintings.
Eddie would clean and repair artwork for my customers, probably 2 - 3 pieces a month for the last twelve years, so there were plenty of opportunities to irritate one another, and if you knew Eddie, you know how affectionately I mean that. One of our ongoing debates was over Belgian Ale; he would often drop by on his way home from Joy Wine & Spirits on Friday afternoons after purchasing a four pack of Duvel, I would often mention that I needed to come by his place one afternoon with some Chimay, and that Duvel was good, but that he needed to revisit Chimay. We started that debate about five years ago, and I will miss it.
One of my best memories is of Eddie walking in on me framing an original Milton Avery canvas; he was floored as I discovered Milton was one of his all time favorites. He hung around touching, feeling and studying the work of his hero. After about an hour, he left only to return 10 minutes later with his Milton Avery book. He then schooled me on Avery's magnificent brush strokes, color theory and definition of negative space. Milton is now one of my favorites too.
Away from work, Eddie was a great friend, brother, father and new grandfather. The loss of Eddie and the character that he brought to our community is a great one, a hole that might grow over with time, but will never be filled.
We will miss you Eddie!
Your friend,
Andy
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