Vicki & Bill Trethowan

On the 2nd April, 2005 we had arranged to meet and spend time with Blair
in Santa Monica. Blair had left in February to commence an Artists in
Residence scholarship for three months organized by the Arts Council of
Victoria.
Arriving at approximately 4pm we met Blair on 3rd Street and wandered
down to the Santa Monica pier for a drink Blair talked about the work
he had undertaken thus far he had decided to collect signs from
homeless people offering them money in return for their sign. On the
way down to the pier there is a walking track that runs along the beach
we walked along this track for a while to observe the types of signs
Blair talked about many of the signs were on cardboard that appeared
to be from a carton of some sort on their piece of cardboard they had
written things such as homeless please give some money; blind and
homeless; I am homeless, homeless spare a coin; I need money, I am
homeless and the likes.
Offering these people money Blair said had proved to be quite difficult
the homeless people he had approached to date didnt want to part with
their signs even though he offered them money in return for their
sign!
Blair showed initiative he decided to take with him cardboard and
texta and money to further the prospect of trading with his chosen
clientele. This he explained had still proved difficult with most of the
homeless people he approached he said he thought they must have
decided he was trying to steal their personal belongings and he felt
sorry for this. He would continue with his quest he indicated and now
wanted to discover why the resistance to parting with the sign when they
could make another and gain $5. New strategies required was his comment!
We shared a meal and a few glasses of wine with Blair and Erica at a
Sushi Bar in 4th Street balmy night, very enjoyable.
Next day Blair took us by bus downtown! He said we should have a
cultural experience of central L.A visit the markets, take in the
ambiance, try the culinary delights and observe the architecture. We
wandered through the Chinese sector before heading to the fabric
district blocks and blocks of clothing stalls, not dissimilar to the
Victoria Market much, much more crowded though.
Lunch was at a dodgy Mexican Caf we didnt know any of the dishes on
the menu took a punt with Blairs help and comments about the thrill
of not knowing what we were eating the atmosphere lent itself to our
enjoyment of the experience!
Blair then took us for a wander to observe the architecture of some
building in downtown L.A. he gave interesting commentary on specific
features of some of the buildings. Back on the bus to Santa Monica off
to our Sushi Bar for dinner.

Next day we visited Beverley Hills very commercial. Blair and Erica
took off on their bikes. That night Blair cooked mussels and vegetables
for Dinner at the studio Blair had created a little haven for himself
the studio had a number of artworks in progress he was as he
explained getting a feel for the homeless people of Santa Monica and had
collected a few signs these were on display for Blair to ponder.
Blair had ingeniously determined if you cant have the skate park near
your residence why not build one in your studio! he gathered the
materials required from pieces of board other artists had left behind or
from his French neighbour and had built quite a large ramp at the
bottom level of the studio (the studio had 3 levels bedroom and art
space at the top, middle was living area, kitchen, bathroom and laundry
and the lower level a garage or art space or a skate ramp area you
only had to put the roller door up and you had an excellent sized area
leading up to the ramp.

Blair appeared to be happy and relaxed in Santa Monica the days we
spent with Blair will be treasured memories forever.