— Ava Gardner
“The Letter,” 1904 – 1905
Oil on Canvas, 120 x 95.5 cm
Private collection
Sleeping Truck Driver
Vernon, Texas, 1946
New Orlean, French Quarter
2021
—Angela Lansbury (1925 – )
Built in 1903/1904 by E. Pussy. Decoration and ceramics by Janin Brothers and Guérineau.
Hebräische Wassermelone (Hebrew Watermelon)
c. 1935
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
— Brittany Murphy (1977 – 2009)
The still is from The Devil’s Arithmetic, 1999, a film I wrote and produced, and for which I won the Emmy Award. I spent quite a lot of time with Brittany, helping her prepare for her role. She was a serious, hard-working actress, and a lovely young woman. Her performance in the film is just spectacular. Brittany’s early death shocked and pained me.
Coffee Beans and Sugar
1931
“Shenandoah Street”
Acrylic on paper
12″ x 12″ inches
2021
Bez názvu (lžíce) (Untitled (Spoons))
1935-1936
END, 1983
oil on canvas
36 X 40 inches
Speaking of watches, how about the guy who had a $500,000 watch stolen in Beverly Hills ? Sounded like someone just grabbed it off his wrist. Hope it wasn’t you.
Thank G-d, not me. LA crime is out of control — courtesy of the Dems who run the entire state.
How watermelons used to look before seedless conquered the world.
I can’t tell you just how glad I am that you are back – your posts MAKE my Fridays!
Many glamour girls were tomboys when young – https://www.therichest.com/most-popular/12-tomboys-who-turned-into-super-hot-celebs/
So, Ava isn’t that unusual in her ‘down-home’ preferences.
More comments: I think the hamburger recipe’s are hilarious. I have always admired Angela Lansbury as a person. I read years ago that her husband was an invalid and she supported him all these years. If you are ever up at Mendocino, that is where they filmed Murder She Wrote, and they stayed at the Heritage House hotel. There are a lots of pictures on the walls of the production.
I wouldn’t think Sophia needed a body double!
After I read that biography on Ava Gardner I think the country girl was long repressed
Such wise words from Brittany Murphy. I have your DVD in the Devil’s Arithmatic and I agree.
She was also hilarious in Clueless.
Such a versatile young actress.
At the time I was drafted it was a crazy time in my life for me. The army ended up sending me to Germany. I took all available leave and saw most of Europe. Even saw Crete.
I’d give anything to go back to those simple times. And I was proud to wear the uniform.
Such a sad way to go for Brittany. As I recall it was just some toxic combination of prescription drugs.
I’ve been reminded over and over again at this stage in my life how precarious and tenuous life is.
We all assume will be here for tomorrow but there is no guarantee. And one day for all of us there will be no earthly tomorrow.
Prophet Joe:
You write: I like your painting. I’m still hoping for a large view/reveal of all of these “street” paintings.
Thanks so much.
Most of the paintings are now in private collections. So I can’t get a photo of them all together. But I am working on a triptych.
I can’t wait to see it!
You have photos of each of the works, perhaps you could display them in a carousel on the website and provide a link to it — I suspect your website framework has allowances for a carousel, they are quite common in today’s website design philosophy.
I can’t decide if Ava looks incredibly sexy, or a little scary, or both.
When I read Disco Volante, I immediately thought of Emilio Largo’s yacht. The car is a beautiful design. They did a more recent version where they hand-built only 7: https://www.motor1.com/news/486311/alfa-romeo-disco-volante-486311/
I think Scilla Gable’s body. . . um, of work speaks for itself. She’s still alive and 83.
I love Rick’s photo of the French Quarter. It reveals so much — beauty and decay both prominent in the same image.
I think of Dame Angela in the same vein as Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, or Helen Mirren. They have transitioned from the “younger roles” to the “mature roles” and not only continued working, but had more success doing it.
The Art Nouveau entrance is true craftsmanship.
The electric company vehicle is certainly unique. Notice the seat and steering wheel at ground level too.
The watch is very cool. Not $80,000 cool, still cool.
I like your paining. I’m still hoping for a large view/reveal of all of these “street” paintings.
The Martin/Sinatra recipes are funny.
I remember Brittany Murphy in several roles, but I had forgotten she had passed away. I am flabbergasted that she and her husband both died from pneumonia and anemia just 5 months apart while living in the same house. Even more so because of her age — you don’t usually see 32 year old women dying of pneumonia! That seems so. . . peculiar.
Have a wonderful weekend!