10 August 1996

An Elegant Critique

At an exhibition of dreadful paintings, I was reminded of my late friend Paul Raedeke's brilliant critique of his pistol-toting neighbor's equally dreadful paintings: "I hope he's doing it for therapy."

At least there were free drinks at the opening. I was tempted borrow Val's cane to give the artist a vaudevillian exit from the gallery, but decided to have another beer instead.

It's impossible to overestimate the value of drinks at a gallery opening.