Earl Kemp On... Canvas?

Chatter with Earl Kemp continues... If you missed earlier parts of the interview: Intro, on science fiction, on censorship and politics, on reading and writing, on Fandom. (Links added by SPS.)

SPS: Earl, I guess I have several questions regarding the needlepoint...


SPS: They are your works, correct? What started the needlepoint kick?

Earl: Betty Gilmore, in Guadalajara. She produced a coffee table book about the art, filled with many color examples. She taught me to do it to fill in down time. Rosie Grier, a football player, also helped because it was his thing.

SPS: "She taught me", as in personally, or via the book?

Earl: Betty taught me personally. I read his book.


SPS: And it seems to my eye, that Coke is, er, if not the Corporate Devil, than at least a symbol of something -- more than a carbonated beverage choice, at least. So what's the deal with you and Coke?


Earl: It's one of my favorites, especially as Cuba Libre.

SPS: OK, droll commentary doesn't play well here... Are you referring to the drink or the lie?

Earl: The drink, triple por favor....

SPS: The one I was particularly struck by (and covet dearly) is this one -- please do tell me more about it!



Earl: It was designed for me by Jack Bozzi, a big-time NYC artist, now dead. Among other things, secretly, he was also the male figure obsessive artist Adam. As Adam, Jack designed this for me and I then did the needlepoint following his outlines. It is signed EKJB incorporating both our initials.