This portrait was intended as a gift,
and is essentially a cry of love.
I think of it as being my 'Layla' number.
And like Clapton's effort
it was doomed to failure.
Though not as a work of art.
I still love the portrait,
and the girl too for that matter.
Whatever building her rooms are in
will always be a palace in my eyes.
24th (Saturday)
Finally stopped by 882 Homer. Talked to
the owner about what was happening in front
of her store, & how much I admired her work
She's an intriguing woman, with blonde hair
She asked my name, I asked hers, & then
wondered what nationality it was. 'Hungarian,'
she said
25th (Sunday)
Grey Cup at Abbotsford. Lovely sunny
afternoon, nice food & drink
26th (Monday) [A Portrait in Blue]
'Help' at the Paramount with Heather
27th (Tuesday) [A Portrait in Blue]
Telling Ady about the Hungarian girl, & of
course she was optimistic about the
possibilities. The girl she works with has
the sweetest smile, but I'm uncertain about
her nationality
28th (Wednesday) [A Portrait in Blue]
Amber & Calvin visiting this afternoon
29th (Thursday)
Confided in Myle this morning. Asked her
opinion of Minori, & then : 'I have a
problem. I've just finished a portrait of
Minori. But I can't give it to her cause
she's not speaking to me.' I was surprised
when she replied, 'I can give it to her.'
Then she asked if this was just a gift or
'something more'. With Myle's help, who
knows. Promised to bring her a pomelo
next week. Had a very nice talk with
Sawako, at Sinclair. Knows Hokusai, but
Hiroshige. A few touches of white to the
lips, & the portrait was finished
30th (Friday)
Showed Ady the portrait this morning, at
Subway. Long talk with Heather at Sinclair
before lunch
December
1st (Saturday)
Glimpse of Minor this morning, as a light
snow was falling. Began the Clapton
autobiography at Harbour Centre. Heavy
snow this evening
2nd (Sunday)
Some things I read in the Clapton book
which were both comforting & inspiring
An idea for a large drawing called 'Empress'
Hopefully with Minori this time. Lovely,
huge clusters of snowflake fluttering down
in the dark sky. This morning Ady asked my
age. 'What's your secret!' she said to me
Some banter with Baeta, who looked cute in
short sleeves over long sleeves, a scarf, &
long braids. Showed me the 'skeleton'under
her apron
3rd (Monday)
Dark, with heavy rain this morning. Ady
phoned this evening, from the bathtub
4th (Tuesday)
A surreal sort of day, after last night's
bad news. Overcast, grey with blue sky on
the southern horizon. This afternoon walking
along Granville, in the rain, with the
portrait. Nice little chat with the Indian
girl, & Myle was sweet, showing me her
program book, highlighted with green. Gave
her the pomelo & then the portrait. 'I'm
not even sure if she's working today.'
'It's okay, I'll keep it back here till
she comes.' About four o'clock lovely blues
& oranges on the southern horizon. A rainbow,
starting at Burnaby Mtn, arching above the
waterfront cranes, which glowed under a sort
of cobweb veil of light, & the waters of
Burrard Inlet
7th (Friday)
Clear, cool winter day. Showing Sawaka the
two Minori portraits, as she talked on her
cellphone. Asked which she prefered. She
touched 'Portrait in Blue' & gave me the
V-sign. Loving the sun so low in the sky
