DRAWING WITH YUSUF
Yusuf drew me as I drew him / My name, as he wrote it, is as if in a mirror —- His brushwork is amazing wonderful wonderful paintings —- Yusuf Katipoğlu in his studio in Tunel—— I’ve lost touch with Yusuf but I hope he’s still painting.
TWO FAST TAKES
RECEP
Recep Bodur down at the docs was very kind to an old man I met down there who had lost everything to drink. I’m sure he’s dead now, but I hope Recep is doing well.
PANDELI
The view from Pandeli / Top of the Spice Bazaar — Brilliant turquoise & cobalt—— My first trip to legendary Pandeli Restaurant, frequented by everyone from Ataturk through Audrey Hepburn, now open again with its heavenly menu.
CLAUDIA IN TAKSIM
Oh those palmy days with crowded cafes all over the streets of Beyoğlu!
CLAUDIA & RAYAN
…at the Medusa Cafe — The Water-Pipe Cafe Kittens—— Claudia was all golden angles, and Rayan all dark curves. Their conversation skipped over the rooftops. Claudia was returning to LA and Rayan going down to Kaş in Southern Turkey, where I later joined her.
RAYAN IN THE STREET
Rayan — Whatta babe!—— After all this frenzy, many discussions with friends, I was going south to be with Nizam in Side, where he was working.
BOREDOM
Side. Gosh, I can hardly handle such excitement!—— I landed with a thud in Side. More thuds were to come. Only a fat German tourist in the hotel, and Nizam nowhere to be seen.
SEA SIDE NIZAM
Water and sky all pale, the color of an oyster shell. Nizam in Side——I tried mightily to find justification for ripping up my whole life, but it just wasn’t there. Kept drawing.
NEÇO & GERMAN WOMEN
I look at the sea / & think of the shapes of the sails that have shown from this spot — Cleopatra / Julius Caesar / Alexander / Mark Antony / Mithridates / All were here—— Antony & Cleopatra trysted in Side. It was and is full of Germans, who use it as a resort. I don’t know who Neço was, but he was happy to have his picture drawn.
GABRIELA
Gabriela & her brother — I don’t know who this guy is, I just love drawing him. —- View out our window at Cleopatra — Nizam is sleeping always in the morning so I breakfast alone—— My time in Side would have been dull indeed had it not been for Gabriela from Cologne. We recently rekindled our friendship via Facebook. She’s still larger than life.
TIDE POOL
—Below the Apollo ruin — Hakan & friend — Fahri the Breakfast Cat — 24 June ’00—-— I love this drawing. Hakan brought me breakfast in the incandescent mornings, while Nizam slept.
WHITE BLONDE
Mustafa’s son Mecit — Norweigan woman with an amazing face——