May 30, 1989
Tuesday, 10:30 pm

Wondered around the Met all morning and stumbled upon the Versailles panorama by accident. It's wonderful but question the setting they've given it. It wasn't meant to be seen in that kind of lighting with carpeting and a metal railing in the viewing podium. I did pick up some painting tricks, and that painting is all tricks.

Also found the American Study collection with the entire collection in cases like a library and you browse. There is a computer with everything listed and I found out how many Blakelocks they have. Three I'd never seen before along with some Ryders. Bierstadt put a varnish on his small painting not unlike the one I put on with rollers. I should think about using that again because it defuses the image.

Tried to find the painting of the handsome young man in the European galleries that I like but couldn't remember the artist or the country. There were Goya etchings but by that time I was too tired to look at them.

Once home I finished reading Nabokov's "Pale Fire" and realized it's about the same thing as my paintings. I'm going to use a page from "Lolita" about inventing America on the Map I'm doing. I finished a small drawing of a portion of the Map that looks good.

Merv called to say the trip to Saratoga July 8 is on. We chatted. I told him about my air conditioner and he wanted to know how much it cost. I paid less for installation than he did.

Herb from Bess Cutler called to invite me, again, to be in the show he's putting together for July. I told him I didn't have anything for sale and he said I could put some in for exhibit only. He has a small check for me and said two drawings are on reserve for U.S. Trust.

Called Simon to see about a painting for Herb and got a sour response. He agreed to ask Ron Lowe to lend a "Geyser". I'll be in three shows at the same time. We talked about the "Erotophobia" show. Simon had a cold and was miserable at his country house -- missed having a phone but I think he just doesn't like farmers who don't buy art. I agreed to let him use the Silence=Death posters I have and he's going to try to get the Gran Fury bus ad from Livet Richards.

Having lunch with Josie tomorrow and dinner with Simon. Pick up the check from Herb and tell him OK for a painting for his show.