I met Leonard Nimoy one time, at a comic convention, with about 10,000 other Star Trek fans--but it was wonderful. I made him smile as I tried to decide which photo to have signed. He let me shake his hand. It was a mere moment in his world, but it was the culmination of 40-odd years of mine!
I've been a fan of Spock and Mr. Nimoy for over 4/5ths of my existence, so that was his importance to me. I even Trick-or-Treated as Spock for Halloween maybe 38 years ago! My friend Bruce was Kirk (in a gold shirt and hand made insignia), and I was the Vulcan, wearing a cheesy plastic mask, blue shirt with insignia and carrying my phaser, tricorder and communicator model set, which I used as toys. (I should point out that when I played Star Trek with my other friend Todd, I was Kirk, because he always insisted on being Spock!)
As I got older I grew to appreciate the qualities of Leonard Nimoy, the actor/director/photographer, etc as much as I appreciated and admired Mr. Spock, the beloved childhood hero. He was an amazing talent and a genuinely good person--as good a human being as his alter ego was a Vulcan! In any case, I'm grateful I got to enter his orbit, even if only for that small moment.
Normally, I would have wanted to do a more serious portrait, trying to pour a whole life of joy and somber appreciation into it after his passing. But I am on a caricature bent at the moment and I think he would have enjoyed this small tribute. He was a generous spirit full of good humor. I like to think it would have made him smile again for me.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Nimoy! You did indeed live long and prosper.
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