The idea for this drawing was conceived very late
at night,a summer evening, in a light fog of
incense and marijuan.In the morning, after the
air had cleared, and my head had cleared, my
enthusiasm for the concept hadn't diminished at
all. The two drawings taken together, on a
personal level, have more meaning to me than
anything I've ever done.
Link to:
The Crucified Artist / A Fish out of Water
13th (Wednesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Ride through the park on a perfect afternoon. Texted Myle about
a dog on a motorcycle wearing goggles. Brought her American
money & some Fresca from 7-Eleven. She wants me to try eating
baby chick embryo. Marcus showing me some cartoon characters
he's developing, & a poster of vintage phonographs & record
players. Talked with Vesna on the phone
14th (Thursday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Nice talk with Reanne. Showed her a photo of the outline of the
drawing. Asked who Minori was, & was very sympathetic about the
little I told her. Looking forward to showing her the finished
drawing, & telling her the whole story behind it. Myle & Cindy
giving me nearly 4 thousand to convert to American, but the
exchange had run out of American currency. Erin telling me she
cooked a turkey for about 15 people. Overcast, chilly, a little
rain
15th (Friday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle texting that she can't find Enya, that she'll buy me another
one. Then five minutes later, could I give her more time? Then five
minutes later she calls & says, 'I found it!'
16th (Saturday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Loaned Reanne the 'Watermark' album. A large piece of pomelo from
Maggie, & Myle a little sombre this morning. Saw 'You Will Meet a
Tall Dark Stranger'at Tinseltown. Cheeseburgers at McD's, & then
walking back along Burrard. A large crowd of teenage girls at
Sutton Place waiting for 'the Bieber' to show. Girl with a cute
little hat, sparkling high heels, & holding a rose. The shrieks
were ear-splitting
17th (Sunday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Yvonne telling me that Yajing got married. 'Did you tell Richard?'
she asked. 'No, but I will.' Assuming it's the Irish guy. Megumi
telling me she's quitting at the end of the month. Sunny, cool
weather continues. Texted Myle
18th (Monday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Lars blossoming with tiny white flowers, which would have
pleasantly surprised Heather, I think. Myle called saying a
customer thought she was 21. When she told him how long she'd
worked there, he said, 'How old were when you started, ten?'
Overcast
19th (Tuesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle saying she's worried about losing hair if she has a baby. Walk
over Granville Bridge in lovely autumn sunshine, mists veiling Bowen
Island & Lighthouse Park across the water
20th (Wednesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Ride through Stanley Park on a sunny afternoon with mist, & fog at
the tennis courts. Interesting little chat with a cylist, who spoke
& looked a lot like Roger Waters. Wonderful talk with Sachiyo, who
spent six days in Hawaii at her friends wedding. Came back with a
very nice tan, & said she would like to get married there too, on
the beach. Her mother is from Okinawa
21st (Thursday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Ride through Stanley Park, half in lovely sunshine, half under a
grey cloud cover that moved in. English Bay with a mystical quality
in the soft light, with mist & fog, & a touch of blue sky above
Bowen. Suchiyo's birthday on November 25th, & she likes dark
chocolate
22nd (Friday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Overcast, mild. Myle back on her program, including the detox thing
23rd (Saturday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
National League Championship game won by Giants; with beer,
popcorn & a few hours of reality tv on tape
24th (Sunday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Gave Megumi some drawing paper, but no chance to give Suchiyo the
chocolate, though she waved from back in the kitchen when I
arrived & left. Girl from Hokkaido quite friendly, with a face
that's somewhat charming. Heavy rain early & late, with bits of
sunshine between
25th (Monday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle describing her new program taking some sort of detox powder 3
times a day, & showed me the long strip of tape across her stomach
(forgot what it's called) Long talk with Reanne about art projects
Described how an artist friend of hers just finished an image of a
jellyfish, & was impressed with the coincidence of her work with
what we did earlier this year. Gave her some dark chocolate, &
later in the afternoon one each for Suchiyo, Eri, & Megumi. Rainy
day, quite dark
26th (Tuesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle asking for four waters this morning, & Maggie (Lancome) saying
she was too sick for a root beer. A rather nice Oriental girl at
Starbuck's, who lives at Robson & Hamilton. Rainy, dark, & becoming
quite
27th (Wednesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Four more hot waters for Myle, the girl at Starbucks VERY charming
Thinking it would be a nice portrait of her pouring milk, after the
Vermeer painting. Suchiyo working alone today, got a chance to talk
longer than usual. Told me she'll be wearing a costume on the
weekend
28th (Thursday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Suchiyo telling me she likes baseball. The Osaka team is named
after a railway, she said, & the Yokohama team are called the 'Bay
Stars'. Dropped in on Ady, who seems optimistic about my chances
with Suchiyo
29th (Friday)
[Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Charming little conversation with Starbucks girl, who lives in the
radio tower next to CBC. She laughed that the CBC bldg was all she
had for a view. Three waters & candy for Myle, one hot water for
(Lancome) Maggie. Surge of inspiration reading a V.F. article at
City Market. Developing a new faith in the power of email
communication
30th (Saturday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle all smiles this morning, telling me she's starting her new
workout program tomorrow. Megumi in a phone costume from Dressew,
& 'moshi-moshi'. Eri dressed as a circus ringleader, with a whip. Marcus
showing me a few Halloween shots, one of which was quite intriguing
Owns a pirate hate, which has inspired a variation on the 'Empress'
idea
31st (Sunday)
Sunny autumn morning, the ground wet with last nights rain, big clouds
of fog across the North Shore mtns. Last night down the Rabbit Hole,
an idea for a portrait of Suchiyo in 'pirate' gear, including the hat,
which I could borrow from Marcus
November
1st (Monday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
2nd (Tuesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle telling me about a rumour she's anorexic. Girl at Starbucks
wearing a red apron, telling me she had a good time at Playland
on Halloween. Gave Suchiyo & Eri prints of the shots I took of them
on Saturday. Lovely, sunny autumn afternoon. Chinese girl at Robson
Market with the most lovely hands, nice face too
3rd (Wednesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
With a sort of guilty grin, Myle telling me she bought a $1500
handbag by Louis Vuitton, & is looking for another one, presumbably
for 'balance'. Good talk with girl from Hokkaido, who lives in a
basement suite near 29th Station. Ride through the park in lovely
autumn sunshine. Probably the most beautiful afternoon of the year,
in the West End streets
4th (Thursday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle describing the shoes she's ordered from Hong Kong. A charming
conversation with the girl at Starbucks, who is from Korea. Told
me the only place she's visited is Saipan, but is looking forward
to seeing Disneyland. Suchiyo asking why I don't sell my work
Describing to her where I kept it, & told her her portrait would
be exhibited in NY someday. She laughed, & I told her she WOULD
get her 10% comission. She's a rather special girl, I believe
5th (Friday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Maggie showing me her new jade Buddha, which was a pale transparent
green. A wonderful conversation & lots of laughter with Bonnie Fu
She showed me videos of the salmon migration on YouTube. The girl
has a wonderful smile, & such an optimistic demeanour. Sun shining
through a light rain on Bidwell, leaves sparkling orange. Walking
along Burnaby a full rainbow appeared arching over the West End
6th (Saturday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Talking to Reanne & Cindy hurries over with new about 'good-looking
guys over there. Reanne explained it was for the benefit of her
co-worker, who is unmarried. 'I don't get it,' I said. 'What's she
going to do, throw a net over them?'
7th (Sunday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle complaining about stomach pains, after her workout yesterday
Told her it could be a muscle pull or a slight tear. Cindy thought
it was all rather silly, & couldn't stop laughing. Suchiyo telling
me she likes beer, & gin. Promised her gin, with dark chocolate,
for her birthday. Terrible nightmare this morning, & then a strange
lovely, erotic dream
8th (Monday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Nice talk with Eri, which was the one bright spot in an otherwise
gloomy sort of day
9th (Tuesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Myle looking very elegant this morning at the gala event. A little
wave from Maggie (who didn't want a root beer) & Iram, which was
the first time we acknowledged each other for quite a while. Sachiyo
telling me she likes Bombay Sapphire Gin, with tonic water &
grapefruit juice. Text from Myle tonight, before the Rabbit Hole
10th (Wednesday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Pleasant chat with Iram, interupted by the phone ringing. Exchanging
about $1700 for Myle & Cindy. Yvonne all flustered about her scooter
breaking down in the Market. Bought Sachiyo a small bar of dark
chocolate, & complimented Hokkaido girl on her scarf. She was
starting work at five. Sunny afternoon, the air cool, a pure essence
of autumn
11th (Thursday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Olympic flame burning brightly through the dark air this morning,
which was beautiful to see. Showed Korean girl a selection of work
She liked 'Factory Girl', & wants me to do a portrait of her. I
suggested one of her pouring milk, after Vermeer's milkmaid. Some
enjoyable banter with Myle (wearing blue rubber gloves) & Cindy
who was celebrating her birthday. Another great talk with Reanne, who
understands perfectly the symbolism of the nets in the drawing. & says
she's always inspired when we talk. Asking Suchiyo about her mother,
who was raised in a fishing village on the southern tip of Okinawa
Blonde girl at Market Place looking forward to seeing the drawing
13th (Saturday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
A typical November day : dark, wet, cool
14th (Sunday) [Minori Yoshikawa Contemplating a
Fish out of Water]
Wild o/t football, Lions/Riders from Taylor Field
15th (Monday)
Dark, heavy rain. Image of an Oriental girl just inside the entrance
of the Winch Bldg, holding a white poodle in her arms, as the rain
poured down outside. Won ANOTHER gift basket
16th (Tuesday)
The girls at Sears quite excited about the gift basket, which was
quite large. Myle texted twice about it. Maggie suggesting I take
calcium supplements. She had a nice friendly, gentle charm today
Told Bonnie, Suchiyo, & Hannah I'd finished the drawing. They're all
looking forward to seeing it. Day began windy & clear, ended
overcast, threatening rain
