Joe Maize

Your the best

You made us laugh, you made us cry but in the end we always loved you. Your the one person who always had time for everyone, always took the newbies under your wing and took the time to teach them. I began sculpting 5 years ago and to this day i still remember the things you taught me. Yeterday was a sad day when i heard that you had left us. I will never forget that gleaming smile, those sarcastic comments on my sculpture and the traditional joe comment "dont make me use this" as you held out the palm of your hand. Australia will definately miss you. Farwell our good friend.

leo

Leo Vamvalis (Fellow sculptor) August 31, 2006

Mister Sandman, bring me a dream

I will miss you Joe! Thanks for all your parties, jellies, stories, quotes and much much more.
See ya later Sandman!!!!!!!

Marille Ernst (fellow sculptor/photographer) August 31, 2006

Thanks Joe

Thanks Joe for teaching me, annoying me, but specially for laughing together on that hill. I had the honour to work with you just once, but you allready were a legend for me. You probably are to all the people who know you. See ya mate, mr. Wizard

Roger Geraedts (sandproject Brighton) August 31, 2006

Buuudddyy!!!,

I had only known you since 2000 but was well aware of your reputation long before entering the world of sand sculpture. We had some real good laughs on this planet. Joe, we by far did not have the closest friendship in the world but I respected you greatly for your work, character, and ability to fire up a group of carvers and motivate completely inexperienced people into creating beautiful works of art. If you had a problem with someone's work you let them know about it in more was than one. You wouldn't sugar coat anything, you'd tell it to them straight and if they listened to you they were bound to come out a better carvers in the end. Thank you for the knowledge, tips, and tricks that you gave me and most of all the good laughs.

Give'em Hell Joey,

Danny Boy

Danny Boy (Royal pain in the ass ;-}) August 31, 2006

It's very sadly. Good by, Joe.

Olga (sand) August 31, 2006

Takes one to know one

Joe was such a clown and I don't use the word lightly. Being a professional clown myself I can spot one a mile away. Joe wasn't hard to recognize. It's the clowns job to point out the obvious, laugh about your faults and those of others and to leave people with a smile in their hearts. Joe you left many people smiling and laughing...what more could a clown ask for? I will miss you very much.

Christy McDonald (Friend) August 31, 2006

A Very Special Individual

No one has ever made me laugh like Joe. Many smiles and funny memories can be recalled, Joe touched our hearts and will be sadly missed. Thanks for a fabulous new years in Sydney, you were a very talented man Joe who made an impact in a huge number of lives with even just a few meetings. Our whole family has been deeply moved in your passing.

Alysha (Freind through sand sculptors) August 31, 2006

To our Glue Boy!!!

Joe,
You amaze me...how can someone who annoyed and frustrated so many people be so loved??

I will never forget your generousity of spirit when l first met you in Harrison 5 years ago. I found someone who shared my love of the art of sandsculpting - you helped me make my dream of creating a Sand Sculpting Event in Australia a reality...Your ability to willingly share your knowlegde and skills to young sculptors was an example of your generous spirit.

I cannot believe that you will not be flying into Australia this coming Summer dragging your "bin of goodies", your pills, you TV, your camera, your jelly shots, your humour,your smile and your sarcastic wit!!!

I will miss you...

"Souls do not disintegrate and die,
Years may pass and yet memories do not fade away,
Memories are like a distant star
Pouring forth its light across the world
All our tears and laughter do not lie,
Though we pass like dreams,our spirits stay,
Held fast by love,which is just what we are,
Yet in a form that cannot be destroyed"

"Rest in Peace and enjoy carving your castles in the clouds"

Sharon Redmond (Friend) August 31, 2006

Dear Mr. Joe,

My friend told me your story, and I like to give my condolences.

I admired your sandcarvingskills through her photographs and loved what you did. The Chinese Wall in Lommel.

When the earth is a paradise again, you will have your resurrection and you will put your skills to new use again, I am sure of it!

Wilma Schalk August 31, 2006

You will be remembered

It is with great sadness that we got the news of Joe’s illness and of his passing away.
We will miss him at the International Sand Sculpture Competition in Québec.
He did great things and he will be remembered.
Thank you for sharing your many talents with us.

Annie Burelle (Organiser of the "International de sculpture sur sable" in Quebec City) August 31, 2006