About
It all started when I accidentally trained my parakeet (AJ) to roll over.
After that moment, it got me thinking,
“What else I could teach him?”
This began an amazing journey where I began to teach AJ how to do everything.
Literally everything.
From dunking basketballs in his custom Nike’s all the way to recognizing different coins, AJ could do it all.
Because of AJ’s ability to do so many amazing things, he landed TV commercials for GEICO, PGA, LPGA, and so many more.
He even starred in television shows in nearly every country, has been featured on Google, Yahoo, and USA Today, and has appeared in nearly every newspaper in the country.
AJ was my best friend.
But he wasn’t just my friend, he was friends with millions of people all over the world.
I still receive emails every day from children and adults around the world to this day asking about him.
AJ, unfortunately, passed away in 2016 and I miss him so much.
But even though he is no longer here with us, his legacy continues to live on.
Having experienced such a great life with AJ, I have learned two important truths.
1. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.
2. Everyone needs a friend.
Children are our future leaders, visionaries, and innovators
And need to be reminded of this every day.
My Friend AJ helps them do just that.
About the artist
Dave Trowbridge, a local Portland, Oregon artist who loves the story of AJ, an incredible bird who did things like no other. Dave’s abstract painting styles lends perfectly to the vision of AJ and the dreams he achieved. Abstract art allows the viewer to take in the shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. AJ’s exotic colors, beauty, and accolades made for a perfect subject for artist Dave Trowbridge to bring to life and carry on AJ’s legacy.