Bette: Lost and Found

I do know where many of my sold works are located.  However, I had lost track of Bette.  The current owner of the (32"x40") powdered graphite and pencil drawing recently contacted me.  Originally sold in Philadelphia, PA in 1979, today it is located deep in the Florida Keys. The photo above doesn't do it justice as the drawing has much more clarity, contrast, and detail than this image indicates. By comparison, I'm posting a photo that I took of Marlin Brando currently residing at Characters Pub in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. it is also 32" x 40" as are all the old powdered graphite drawings.

Bette's owner loves the drawing, but is having a difficult time financially, and wants to sell it. She inquired how much it might be worth. I explained that in the early 1980's when I had my "15 minutes" these over-sized iconic images sold at galleries in New York, Philadelphia and Lancaster for $1200.00 each. However, having never achieved anything resembling national or international fame the Hyper-Real artworks have not increased in value. I did not offer to buy the drawing back, though I worry, much as a parent might worry about a grown child who is out in the world and running into difficulties.

If by chance anyone is interested in purchasing the drawing, please let me know and I will put you in contact with the owner.