ZELIHA…
…& AYNUR
Still friends——Aynur was the brainy sassy one, and Zeliha was the sparkly pretty one. The second drawing of these best friends, who grew up and out of Sultanahmet and vanished from my life. I have many drawings of them. I hope they’re having good lives.
ÖZKAN: CLEAN HEART
Ozkan is 10, from Bingöl in Eastern Turkey, has his parents in Istanbul & works Sultanahmet selling roses. His bones say that he will be strong and his eyes say that “his heart is clean.”
YUSUF: BABY VAMP
Yusuf, 12-year-old baby vamp from Muş in Eastern Turkey. He wanted to make sure I got his squared shoulders and crested hair… dangerous!
EYÜP: VERY SMART
Very, very smart—–At dinner one night, this little heartbreaker showed up with an enormous sheaf of roses. We bought them all.
THE WORST VIOLINIST
The worst violinist I ever heard, but he didn’t care——-Glad to make a buck, I imagine– at a ritzy cafe on the Hippodrome. I don’t know how people could stand it. I got the drawing and bailed, finishing up the next day in the blessed quiet.
SEAVIEW
In those days I rarely got anywhere I was going, because I’d be transfixed for hours with something splendid I’d never seen before. Now I’ve seen this street vista many times, but it’s still stunning, and it’s still there.
NIZAM WITH ANGELS
Alexander the Great – Nizam – 39 and counting – Actually it was 45——He needed those angels. They’re in the Archeological Museum. I don’t recall where I saw the Alexander coin, but I really want one.
OTTOMAN LIBRARY
On the tramline near the Grand Bazaar; an old archive-records building, with Ali, who sells postcards there and is studying English—— After a couple of hours drawing I asked Ali if I could use a restroom. He led me to his uncle’s apartment in the back, closet-sized, with the bed under a rail holding coats, across from the tiny water closet. I was greatly moved at their kindness, letting me in.The Library is still there and replastered.
FABULOUS WINDOWS
-Somewhere in Sultanahmet———I think these are on Istanbul Erkek, the state school in the fine old building seized by Ataturk from some bank consortium and given to the people. It’s gorgeous- an excellent school.
Young Turk & female façade—–Istanbul icons past and present up on the Istiklal.
SEPHARDIC SERAPH
Sephardi: A Jewish student. His ancestors came from Spain during the Inquisition—– He was stunning, with white freckled skin, very pale grey eyes and a cloud of strawberry-blonde hair.
GONIFF
This feral prick rented me an apartment, broke every promise, ripped me off & browbeat me until I left. He also attacked me physically. A rough entry—–Goniff is Yiddish for a nasty thief: someone who would steal your teeth. I never knew in those early months if I was going to step in the ice cream or the shit. When I drew this, I thought he was okay.
MEVLEVI DERVISH MIX
Mandelas – God’s Eyes – Spinning tops – Mevlevi Dervishes——I combined some plein air drawings to get this, in an attempt to convey the variety and beauty of the Dervishes dancing. It’s their prayer.
HAGIA EIRENE LONGSHOT
Hagia Eirene from the roof of a hotel in Sultanahmet.
END