EDITOR'S COMMENT—November 2002
Such a tremendous loss. Felix Leu—the great Don Feliz—is dead. Thank heaven we had the foresight to feature his son, Filip, in the January issue, and the master himself in May. Luckily we had a chance to share the brilliant spark of life emanating from this creative and outspoken leader of the Family Iron.
What began as a trip in a hippie bus to buy Kilim carpets in Kosovo ended with universal acclaim for not only the quality of the art he inspired and nourished, but the humanity of the man and his best friend and loving wife, Loretta.
Don Felix Y Maria. The inseparable pair. The lovers of life and tattoos.
Over Skin & Ink's last five years, through the early criticism and difficult growing pains, there was always the letter of encouragement from Don Feliz. Some reader would slam me for allowing Danny Fowler to "give away all the secrets of the trade" in his Tattoo Science column, and, sure enough, in the next mail was Don Feliz saying Tattoo Science was his favorite part of Skin & Ink.
When I wrote my first tattoo book and asked Don Feliz to write a few words for the back cover—no problem. He was right there for me. I'll never forget his support and kindness.
Amazing as it seems, this man, this indomitable spirit, never once complained to me of the disease that ravaged his body. Instead, his letters were of his family. After an especially rousing message detailing the exploits of all his magnificent sons and daughters, I jokingly challenged him to a soccer match—my kids against his.
In the later years he didn't travel much, and, when he did, there was pain. He had good days and he had bad, but whomever he came in contact with was touched with a special light. So many were bathed in his radiance.
It is with great humility and pride I bid adieu to the man I called my friend. Farewell, lion-hearted Felix Leu. Farewell, gentle Don Feliz.
—Bob Baxter, Editor in Chief