1979 was the last of my 15 years in greece. on some level, i knew this when i mad ethis painitng, titled long distance call. an unknow figure is making a call in one of the last long distance phone booths in greece; this one in chora, andros. in a few months time, i would be separated from my then wife and my dearest andriot mother-in-law, painter niki karagatsi. i would be living in paiania, attiki as a stepping stone to my final departure for new york. i was that unknown guy in the booth, calling home. which is why there is so much feeling in this painting. unfortunately, the scourge of egg tempera painting: little mites that love eating the dried egg, all but destroyed it.
within a little over a year, i would find myself in santa monica, california. my new friend, david hockney who lived up in the hollywood hills, invited me to house sit during his travels. i was still painting in egg tempera when I made this painting, based on a photo I took of myself standing in my robe on david’s deck overlooking his famous pool. this painting was purchased by hockney nd is in his collection.
the lights and shadows; the warmth and intimacy of the spaces; all reflect the lessons i learned under the guidance of my teachers, friends & mentors, which led me to recognize & revere my core. what i see when i look at these two paintings comparatively is a continuity of spirit; a love of light; a love of story.