Chris Runyan, my longtime good friend and bandmate, passed away last night.
Chris was the most creatively gifted person I have ever known -- equal parts musician, writer, and artist.
His guitar playing would sometimes literally take my breath away. His paintings continue to move me -- mysterious, ironic, enigmatic -- unafraid of confronting ideas and social commentary.
My life has been far richer for having met and known him.
~/~
A Chris Runyan Sampler:
Here are some shots of the Malls, and a few digital scans of some of Chris' paintings. The scans don't do his artwork justice. The colors really pop in the paintings, and much of the texture and attention to detail cannot be seen.

The Malls. Live at the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville. April 1980.
[Left to right: Patrick Hollingsworth (bass), Tom Cochran (drums), Terry Wright (vocals), Chris Runyan (guitar, vocals).]

The Malls. Live at the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville. April 1980.
[Left to right: Pia Zadora (marquee girl found behind a liquor store), Stanley Lancaster (keyboards, vocals).]

The Malls. Live at the U-Ark Theater. Fayetteville. Halloween 1980.
[Left to right: Patrick Hollingsworth (bass), Terry Wright (sweaty back, vocals), Chris Runyan (guitar, vocals).]

Malls Flyer. Drawing and design by Chris Runyan. September 1980.

The Awful Truth by Chris Runyan

The Realm of Envy by Chris Runyan

The Insignificance of Conformity by Chris Runyan

Backyard #1 by Chris Runyan

Peace by Chris Runyan

The Right Allies by Chris Runyan