Page 152 - YGARTUA: Magnum Opus - volume three
P. 152
“We met Marcel and Ellen in Vancouver
in 1974/5. Marcel was originally from
Romania.He was a pretty crazy wild guy
and on the flip-side very sophisticated,
debonair and a real talent for selling.
He ventured into a couple of businesses in For over 80 years, the Commodore Ballroom has
Vancouver, all short term, then he met Ellen and been synonymous with Vancouver entertainment
she was as wild as him. One night we were going and nightlife. Since opening its doors in 1930,
down to the Commodore Ballroom – the now the award winning ballroom has hosted music
famous downtown Vancouver Dance Hall. legends, celebrated historical milestones, and has
been the setting for countless romances.
She arrived to pick me up and that day she
decided to have her head shaved and another We then went our separate ways in 1975 and did
artist friend drew this big python which not meet up until early 1976. 1975 was our first
wrapped around her neck and ended up with mall show in the USA after meeting Lee Gilpin
the gaping mouth that just hung over her at the Heritage International Fair in Vancouver.
forehead; this was not a tattoo as it wasn’t a la He was in charge of many mall shows in Arizona
mode at that time and in those days I had never and California, the first show in Scottsdale,
seen people with tattoos like today. It was a Arizona. best choice ever as this is how we met
beautiful drawing, nearly a shame that it would Jody Svenonius and Carolyn Ariza, the owners
not last long. I had one look and said – wow(!) of the De La Mano Gallery, Camelback in La
that is original. That was Ellen always coming Posada Inn and the first time that Paul introduced
up with something crazy and unique. his N.W. Heritage paintings to the USA.
148
