Note on Art
Dublin Core
Title
Note on Art
Subject
A personal note from LeRoy Neiman on art.
Description
This personal note from LeRoy Neiman provides an anecdotal account of the artist's trip from Palm Springs to Oklahoma City via private jet with comedian Red Skeleton, during which the artist completed a series of drawings featuring the entertainer. On reverse, Neiman detailed his relationship with restaurant proprietor Herb Gruder. Both commentaries were most likely written in preparation of the artist's memoir, All Told.
Creator
LeRoy Neiman
Source
LeRoy Neiman Foundation
Publisher
LeRoy Neiman Foundation
Date
c. 1990-2011
Contributor
LeRoy Neiman
Rights
Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.
Relation
Notes
Format
Image/jpeg
Language
English
Type
Document
Identifier
LN_Notes_444_01; LN_Notes_444_02
Coverage
New York (N.Y.) New York
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Red Skeleton
Red Clown Painter
Oklahoma City
Ali’s paintings
paint with Ali
I flew from Palm Springs (Dallas?) to O.K. Oklahoma City on a private wing [?] jet and with Red Skeleton, and he did 2 hours nonstop as he always does in performance
We sketched each other at high altitude and I realized why he has done hundreds of self-portraits (more than Rembrandt), because he is so distinctively easy to catch—an irresistible subject
Red and his wife Lothian did not like the sketch I did months ago, but really liked the one I did on the flight. There is a humanness [that comes from drawing] live that is absent [when] drawing from photos
I put on Clark Gable hat from GWTW and Wayne Newton ranch in Nevada. He convincingly said how great I looked and after [?] on being photographed feeling just like Clark and went to a mirror and was shocked to see myself and not Gable. /
His jokes – always leave last on a plane so people watching will think he’s flown first class.
Spray graffiti artists with paints – face and all
Herb Gruder restaurant “Al Shouts” The bar and dining room covered with my paintings and drawings. I always was a guest dining there. One nite a big water bug lumbered up the wall behind our baguette. I slowly took off [my] shoe and smashed it. Herb said that thanks.
When the place shuttered Herb made off with the artwork. One great one, Mickey Mantle switcher
Red Clown Painter
Oklahoma City
Ali’s paintings
paint with Ali
I flew from Palm Springs (Dallas?) to O.K. Oklahoma City on a private wing [?] jet and with Red Skeleton, and he did 2 hours nonstop as he always does in performance
We sketched each other at high altitude and I realized why he has done hundreds of self-portraits (more than Rembrandt), because he is so distinctively easy to catch—an irresistible subject
Red and his wife Lothian did not like the sketch I did months ago, but really liked the one I did on the flight. There is a humanness [that comes from drawing] live that is absent [when] drawing from photos
I put on Clark Gable hat from GWTW and Wayne Newton ranch in Nevada. He convincingly said how great I looked and after [?] on being photographed feeling just like Clark and went to a mirror and was shocked to see myself and not Gable. /
His jokes – always leave last on a plane so people watching will think he’s flown first class.
Spray graffiti artists with paints – face and all
Herb Gruder restaurant “Al Shouts” The bar and dining room covered with my paintings and drawings. I always was a guest dining there. One nite a big water bug lumbered up the wall behind our baguette. I slowly took off [my] shoe and smashed it. Herb said that thanks.
When the place shuttered Herb made off with the artwork. One great one, Mickey Mantle switcher
Original Format
Pencil, pen, and oil stick on paper.
Files
Collection
Citation
LeRoy Neiman, “Note on Art,” LeRoy Neiman Foundation, accessed April 21, 2025, https://leroyneimanfoundation.omeka.net/items/show/23.