Christopher Andrew Leinonen

I met Chris back in high school. I had originally become friends with Amber who introduced us. The first memory I have of him is walking home with me and Amber. 

Tragically, Chris (or Drew as he preferred to be called more recently) lost his life in the Pulse shooting in Orlando on June 12th, 2016. 

What I remember about him the most is his distinctive voice, his phenomenal wit, and his courage. He started the Gay Straight Alliance at our High School. Amidst push back and ridicule he went forward with the group. Not only was he determined to be himself, he brought more awareness to issues within the LGBT community. He made it safer and more comfortable for others who were struggling with themselves or their families. He was a wonderful man and I have always been immensely proud of him. 

I scoured through my old high school photo albums and found my favorite memories of him. 

The first photo I have of Chris from Fall 2001. He is standing between Tricia (left) and Amber (right).

Hanging out in my room after school singing to whatever song we had on the radio. 

Chris and Amber at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art. 

Chris and I posing in front of some sculpture. 

Shenanigans at McDonald's

One of my favorite memories of Chris. We went trick-or-treating. It was a spur of the moment decision and we scrambled to pull our costumes together. He randomly gathered a bunch of bright clothes together to make a clown outfit while I wore all black and witch hat. After we had been out for a while we got tired of telling people that we were a clown and a witch so whenever we got asked we jokingly told people that we were Elton John and Barbara Streisand.

After we were done trick-or-treating we felt like it was still too early to go home so we went to the Target in Largo Mall. We sat in the food court area and filled up on candy. We got one of the Target employees to take a photo of us. 

Before we headed home he took off his costume and I caught him off guard when I took this photo of him getting in his truck. I always loved his expression in this photo. 

After school in the courtyard with Chris, Amber, and Tricia. 

Chris, Tricia, and myself. 

Chris and I goofing around in children's playground at Walsingham Park. We were never too big or too mature. This has always been one of my absolute favorite photos from high school. 

On another trip to the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art.

Tricia, Chris, and Amber

Niasya, Chris, and my sister Jennifer at one of Amber's many amazing house parties. 

Chris and I somewhere in St. Petersburg.

Amber and Chris

Chris, Niasya, Amber and myself during another one of Amber's house parties.

Forth of July 2009 Chris, Amber and I went to downtown Orlando for the fireworks.

Chris and Amber laughing while he tried to take a photo of her. 

Cleopatra

Cleopatra's final words to Mark Antony as he lay dying in her arms.


I survived so much already. The things I've had to do just to be here.
I could have walked to the moon and back on a road I paved myself.
If only I could have done it alone. But I needed you.
I loved you.

We already had everything. We just had to keep fighting.
It was only the Roman Empire.
We could have taken it all. Why did you let go?

I know who I am and where I came from. I will not let them forget.

The Queen of Egypt;
I've been called cold and callous.
I've been called so much worse.
Oh, the desperate taunts of the weak.
They think their voices are going to haunt me but they don't.

I am only haunted by my efforts, by how much time I wasted.
That look in your eyes when you couldn't see the way out.
My mistake was putting my future in your hands.

I fought like all the powers of hell and loved twice as hard.
My life knows precious little peace.
I have nothing left to be afraid of.
I've always had venom in my blood.

Sprinklers

This photo was taken while I was trapped in my car in my friend's drive way. Her sprinkler system was on and instead of making a run for it, which I normally do, I decided to capture the lovely distorted mosaic of her front lawn. 

Blue Springs

My friend Tink and her boyfriend Max invited me to Blue Springs. It was a perfect day and a canoe trip was just what my soul needed. 

Flight

I was lucky enough to be able to go to Brazil again. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my aching need to have a window seat. You just can't beat that view. 

During the flight in I was able to capture another plane flying almost parallel with us. 

Beautiful sunrise over Brazil. 

Just before landing in Recife. 

My flight back home to Orlando was unique because it was during the day. Previously, all my other flights had been mostly overnight. I took more photos on the return flight than I had been able to any other time. 

Flying out of Recife just after the sunrise. 

Adorable little ant on the inside of my window. 

A little boy enjoying his window seat as well. 

Happy baby girl giggling in the arms of her father. 

The Amazon River. 

Flying between sunny skies and stormy clouds. 

Lovely popcorn sky.

The beautiful islands of the North Caribbean. 

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Mandala

Upon entering DRIP's Local Art Night I was surprised to discover a coloring station with a Mandala coloring book. I've been a huge fan of coloring books well into my adult years and I immediately fell in love. I began to color one right on the spot but I also tore out three more pages to work on at home. 

Although I don't normally prefer to work with markers I felt that their vibrant colors would work well with this project. I picked some up and spent hours just coloring. 

The act of coloring is freeing. I had spent the last few months having to move unexpectedly, recover from kidney stones, and argue with three separate companies over unfair charges and refunds. Every little thing was a fight. I could never just come home and relax. I was in constant motion, always battling. There were no breaks. Everything was painful. I spent so much time begging for help and getting so little that I just couldn't bring myself to ask anymore. 

This was the first time I had sat down to relax in months. 

I spent hours putting color to paper. It was a release. It was the first thing I had laid my hands on in months that I could start and finish in my complete control. It could only turn out well. I could work on something and have a finished product that was beautiful. I was making something for fun, not just trying to survive. No doubt it helped me through a dark time. 

I'm glad I have held on to my love of coloring. It is hard to put into words just what it did for my soul. 

Clouds and Power Lines

I captured this majestic sunset while I was leaving work. Beautiful, organic clouds divided by the power lines.