KENTWOOD, Mich. — At the crossroads of 28th Street and East Paris, traffic flows in an endless stream.
At his own crossroads just beside it, a man who’s just trying to stay afloat.
Lyman Spaulding Bristol III, who takes over the curb in front of the East Paris Shoppes, never had much. For the past three and a half years, not even a place to call home.
“I’m just trying to do something good," he said through tears. “God wants me painting... I definitely have a purpose. It would be nice to have a place to put my stuff.”
Every day, he carries his paintings back and forth from a nearby hotel. It’s hard on his art — and hard on Lyman.
"My arm used to feel like it was gonna fall off. I think I’ve gotten used to it though," he said.
But good for his soul.
“I’m living the dream. It might be rough at times. But there are good things. The things people give me – the compliments, the smiles, the waving. I make people happy," Lyman said.
People are what lights a flame in Lyman. But there is no fire without Smokey.
“He’s my best friend," he said, looking at his elderly Chihuahua cradled in his arms. “When it got nice enough, I brought him out here. He just sits on my lap and chills."
An artist and his muse, making the most of a life they didn’t get to choose.
"He gets the best treats, awesome food. He gets spoiled," said Lyman.
At this crossroads of life, Lyman may not have much. But what he does with so little — is art.
“This is what I’m meant to do," he said.
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