Time went on, Roy got older. I realized I had never seen his works. Thinking  he was not to be much longer. I asked if I could watch him paint. He was delighted, again invited me to model. I arrived the next Tuesday having been replaced to model by another. I didn’t mind, but wanted to stay, fascinated by the works and colors. About 1/2 hour in, someone, after a brief lesson on the shape and shadow of an egg, handed me a brush and 3 tubes of paint and commanded me to paint the model, so, I did. From then I was under the spell. I continued to paint there for 2 years, painting almost daily there and at home. B and P was a wonderful place, led by Helen Trayle and her brother Terry. I can still hear her whispers of encouragement. At home I taped works of artists that set my hair on fire, to the wall next to the

Birds cage and copied them. Malcolm Leipke, James Larusso, and others were my favorites.

I believe another important contact was Michael Lindstrom. I feel blessed, the 3 times I spent with him. Terribly shy and insecure, he encouraged me in such subtle loving ways. He truly boosted my confidence. Another, was Bob Bruman an artist in San

Francisco, his words ring still in my head, “BE FEARLESS”, or “KEEPPAINTING”! Gifts shared from their hearts, with love, I know.