Excerpt from a Joe Brainard letter/booklet (“My New Vegetation”) to James Schuyler, December 1965, utilized by permission of The Property of Joe Brainard and courtesy of the Mandeville Particular Collections Library, College of California-San Diego.
The artist and author Joe Brainard and the poet James Schuyler, each central figures within the New York Faculty of poets and painters, met in 1964. The 2 quickly grew to become shut pals and confidants. Brainard’s letters to Schuyler included right here span the summer season of 1964 by 1969 and have been written whereas Brainard was shifting from residence to residence in New York Metropolis and spending summers in Southampton, Lengthy Island, and Calais, Vermont.
You may learn an interview between James Schuyler and the critic and poet Peter Schjeldahl within the new Fall problem of The Paris Assessment, no. 249, right here. Schuyler and Schjeldahl have been nominally assembly to debate the poet Frank O’Hara, however the interview grew to become a wide-ranging dialog about poetry, New York within the fifties, and the solid of characters that surrounded them.
August 1968
Southampton, Lengthy Island
Expensive Jimmy,
Wouldn’t you already know it? My rose petals didn’t work out. A few of them weren’t dried sufficient after I put them into these small Welch’s grape juice bottles and they also mildewed and turned inexperienced. So I needed to throw all of them away. Now, nonetheless, I’ve begun sand bottles. (At night time) I don’t waste my time with such stuff within the daytime. At any price—I’ve many colours of sand now (meals coloring) all in lots of dishes all ready for tonight (everyone seems to be leaving tonight) after I’m going to see if it really works. I’ve seen lovely ones with very intricate designs however for my first one I’ll solely do stripes. A pleasant dimension, these Welch’s bottles. I don’t, nonetheless look after the juice. When Pat and Wayne [Padgett] have been right here they might drink it for me (and cherished it) however now I’ve no one. I had (simply had) a number of days of dangerous portray (sloppy) however as we speak was superb. At present was (is) probably the most lovely day I can ever bear in mind: very sunny and really cool. And really quiet: Sunday. Many Sundays appear someway odd to me, however as we speak was simply good. I do adore it right here. It simply doesn’t make sense to return to the town. Apart from individuals. That’s the place so most of the finest individuals are, to me. The cellphone is ringing however I’m within the studio. Kenward is out watching the annual tennis tournaments. John and Scott are on the seashore. John and John Scott (I don’t imply John and Scott, I imply John and John) are driving again tonight to the town. John to go to his mom for her seventy-fifth anniversary. I’m speaking of John Ashbery and John Scott, John’s new coloured boy pal. I used to be afraid that maybe you’d get confused with John Button and Scott Burton. John and Scott, you could not know, have damaged up. As I perceive it tho, it was a mutual break up. I’m consuming a rosé wine. It’s about 5 o’clock. As soon as everybody will get again collectively we’re going to a gap across the nook of Leon … (can’t bear in mind). He’s a really outdated romantic-realist and slick with a lot of birds and fish nets. You realize his work I’m certain. Very very similar to Bernard. Morris Golde says that Fairfield [Porter]’s work regarded terrific on the Biennale. He was very impressed with the variety of them: mentioned there have been “tons.” I did some yellow pansies this morning with Fairfield’s yellow-black for inexperienced. I believe that I’d have achieved it anyway (?) however I at all times consider it as Fairfield’s factor: yellow-black for inexperienced. Really, I’ve seen it in only a few work that I’ve seen it in: one being the one I’ve. I hate to see as we speak go. Will write extra tomorrow, or quickly—
Properly—they didn’t go away round six as deliberate however as a substitute all of us (besides Kenward) went to a queer seashore celebration with Safronis [Sephronus Mundy] and Jack (know them?) Safronis is from Sodus, like John A[shbery]. At any price, it received 40 levels and so we didn’t go to the seashore however as a substitute to some horrible inside decorator’s place. His identify is Jack. I’ve by no means (no exaggeration) met anybody so disgusting in my complete life. Additionally there was an attractive Indian boy who has been after me for a number of years now. I need to admit that he turns me on terrifically. There’s something fishy tho as he’s so lovely he might do quite a bit higher than me. He’s the Gerard Malanga sort however he actually has what it takes to be that sort. He could know him he’s fairly infamous: Tosh Carrillo. At any price, I’ve come to treat him as considerably of the satan. Anyway, it was upsetting seeing him final night time. (Temptation) I believe you already know me nicely sufficient to know that I’m relatively liberal. I’ve had many affairs since I began going with Kenward and I don’t really feel one ounce of guilt. However this Tosh man, there’s actually one thing harmful about him. I hope you don’t thoughts my telling you this. It shook me up a lot to see him once more as, after all, I’m very drawn to him too. I hope by telling you about it I can overlook for some time. So—as we speak is one other lovely day: cool and sizzling. There may be (like yesterday) a little bit of autumn within the air and but the solar is shining very brightly. It’s actually one of the best of each seasons and I adore it. This morning I received up at seven and picked three pansies and put them into three small bottles. One yellow pansy, one red-purple and yellow, and one strong blue-purple. I did three work of them (all three in every) and I’m certain that not less than one in every of them will look good within the morning. They aren’t so unfastened as earlier than. Extra like summer season earlier than final. Once I end writing you I’m going to learn “Le Petomane” (a few French farter) And tonight I deliberate to do my first sand bottle.
Oh—the opening yesterday was work by Leonid. They weren’t superb however I relatively admired a really particulars [sic] : particulars painted with one or two strokes of the comb. Like birds. Gore Vidal was there he regarded fairly younger (35–40). At present is the twelfth. Meaning now we have about two extra weeks.
Proper? A few of your home crops don’t look too nice. I believe that in the first place I watered them an excessive amount of. They aren’t lifeless tho. Thus far there hasn’t been any severe harm achieved. A bit of black linoleum within the laundry room
got here up. An excessive amount of water was left at varied instances on the picket tops within the new kitchen half: a number of black streaks within the wooden. I’m watching it rigorously now. I’m going to get this within the mail now. Do write quickly. Summer time is nearly over and winter won’t write a lot. One factor I forgot to inform you is that
I exploit your bike. I really like driving it and I knew that you wouldn’t thoughts. Did I inform you that we’re going to give a cocktail celebration for Jane [Freilicher] for her opening? Not Sunday (the opening), however Saturday earlier than.
Very a lot love,
Joe
P.S. Did you see our names within the Sunday Instances?
About painter poet collaborations by Peter S.
June 1969
Calais, Vermont
Expensive Jimmy__
Final night time (how good it’s to be writing to you once more) I made an actual strawberry quick cake. I discovered the recipe in a “Household Circle.” I need to say it was awfully good. And really simple. Egg, butter, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, and bake for fifteen minutes. At present is my second day in Vermont and I really like being right here. I particularly love being right here as a result of I do know I might be right here for ten weeks. What to do? That’s what I’m desirous about now. Primarily I simply wish to paint but in addition I wish to get my manuscript collectively and do a difficulty of “C” Comics. That is an excessive amount of to do in ten weeks however I think about that I’ll strive. If I had any sense in my head I’d simply paint and overlook all the things else however I get pleasure from “all the things else” a lot that I discover this difficult to do. So—as normal—I’m torn between this or that or each. And—additionally I’ll choose each. It’s nonetheless a bit cool up right here. I regularly (up to now) put on a sweater. This morning (really, it’s nonetheless morning) I wrote a bit on a brand new factor I’m writing known as “I Keep in mind.” It’s only a assortment of issues I bear in mind. Instance:
“I bear in mind the primary time I received a letter that mentioned ‘after 5 days return to’ on the envelope, and I assumed that I used to be presupposed to return the letter to the sender after I had stored it for 5 days.”
Stuff like that. Some humorous, some (I hope) attention-grabbing, and, some downright boring. These, nonetheless, I’ll in all probability reduce out. Sadly, I don’t have an excellent reminiscence, so it’s a bit like pulling enamel. I’ve been consuming tons. I weighed in at 140 lbs. and I plan to reach in N.Y.C. weighing not less than 150. I plan to do that by consuming tons and:
– 2 glasses of milk with Ovaltine on a regular basis
– 1 large spoon of honey on a regular basis
– eat a lot of nuts at night time
– vitamin B-12 tablet each morning
I would even reduce down on my smoking, however I doubt it. I’m afraid that I don’t actually care that a lot. In Tulsa I picked up some old-fashioned images of me. Enclosed is one in every of me in 1951. I additionally received some outdated newspaper images and clippings of me that are very humorous and really embarrassing. I’ll ship them to you quickly however I want to have them again. Do maintain this picture tho, if you’d like it. I’m tempted to attract a line and write extra tomorrow however really I’d get pleasure from this being your first summer season letter so I’m going to go forward and mail it. Do write.
Love, Joe
July 4, 1969
Calais, Vermont
Expensive Jimmy__
You may’t know the way good, actually, it was to get your letter. You write such good letters even when you don’t have anything particularly to say. I’m outdoors sunbathing once more, and so are Anne [Waldman] and Lewis [Warsh]. Kenward is on the cabin he’s writing, however certainly no one writes that a lot. Yesterday I sorted out all my oils, lined them up in keeping with colours and stretched two canvases: 18″ x 24″. I assumed I’d begin portray as we speak however the sky is so clear and the solar is so sizzling, and really, I didn’t (don’t) particularly really feel prefer it: portray. So—maybe tomorrow. However I refuse to hurry myself. No cause to besides nervous behavior. And nervous behavior solely produces works like I’ve achieved earlier than. Which doesn’t have a lot to do with “portray,” as I see it. Or as I believe I see it. (I don’t know what I’m speaking about) Anne and Lewis are terrific individuals to dwell with. Lewis (up to now) stays simply as mysterious, however in a pleasant type of manner. Anne is simply as nervous as me, which makes me really feel not so nervous. We smoke quite a lot of “you already know what.” Discuss quite a bit. Eat quite a bit. Play playing cards some. (Pounce and Focus) Did you ever play that? Focus. I prefer it. Should you don’t know the best way to play it, let me know, and I’ll clarify it in my subsequent letter. It’s quite simple actually. We learn a bit each night time from a “Lady’s Circle” or a “Lady’s Family” which jogs my memory: I wish to ship you some points. Will quickly. I don’t know the way a lot I weigh now as we found that the scales are irregular. So—I’m simply consuming quite a bit, altho it isn’t as a lot enjoyable with out having the ability to see (learn) my good points. Subsequent time we go into city, nonetheless, we’re going to get a brand new pair. This I’ve by no means understood. Why scales are known as a “pair.” At present is the 4th of July. Glad 4th! We right here aren’t going to have fun a lot, so far as I do know, besides that for dinner we’re having a Harrington’s ham. There’s a 4th of July parade as we speak in East Calais, however I mentioned “no thanks” to that, which put a damper on going. Nothing is extra horrifying to me than “Elks and Masons” and their kids, and many others. Apart from, I don’t get pleasure from being an outsider. Did I inform you of a humorous dream I had a number of nights in the past? I don’t suppose so. At any price—John Ashbery and I have been chatting on my father or mother’s entrance porch and John mentioned to me, “I believe your Mondrian interval was even higher than Mondrian.” Really, I by no means had a “Mondrian interval” however in my dream I bear in mind recalling the work I had achieved. They have been identical to Mondrian besides with off-beat colours. Like slip [sic] peach and plum purple. Olive inexperienced. And so forth. At any price, I used to be awfully flattered. Frank O’Hara and J. J. Mitchell have been there too, however I received’t go into that. Different individuals’s goals are by no means as attention-grabbing because it appears they must be: to different individuals. Your recommendation is nice. I do eat a lot of nuts and I’ve been attempting to eat as a lot as potential. Really, getting higher trying will in all probability solely get me into extra bother, and make life extra difficult. If I used to be clever I wouldn’t even strive—however—as soon as once more—pardon the oil on this letter. It does assist tho. And a heat bathe afterwards. I’m enclosing for you some “Button Face” be aware playing cards I despatched away for from the “Lady’s Circle.” They’re very humorous I believe. Kenward and I’ve each been sending away for many stuff with a view to get mail. Kenward has received a lot of seeds. I received a “forget-me-not” necklace (“like grandma used to make”) which is considerably of a disappointment. Additionally I received some crocheted butterflies which I gave to Kenward in celebration of the first day of July. They are going to be sewn on to curtains. I additionally received some “music publish playing cards.” (Submit playing cards with music on them) And a few stars you glue to the ceiling and so they glow at the hours of darkness. Like decals. I put them up in Anne and Lewis’s room and so they like them. Sometime it will be good to do a complete ceiling. Additionally obtainable is a pleasant moon. I simply went in for a Pepsi. It’s now one o’clock. This afternoon I believe I’ll get out my Polaroid and see what occurs. Perhaps we will swap photos. Like these golf equipment do. Of a much less intimate nature after all. In your subsequent letter to me would you please signal your identify (your autograph) on a bit of white paper. I’m starting to place collectively my poet’s scrapbook and your autograph can be a giant growth [sic] (Or a drawing?) I’ve drawings already by Ron and Ted and Frank and Kenward. Additionally I’ve many images and clippings and marriage ceremony bulletins, and many others. It will likely be a pleasant e-book that can by no means finish. The solar is absolutely very sizzling as we speak. Now I’m sunning my again. This might be my first all-round tan since I used to be a child. Kenward is doing fairly nicely too, tho his pores and skin doesn’t tan as quick as mine. Clearly I’m operating out of discuss. Will cease now. Do write once more if you really feel prefer it.
Love, Joe
P.S. Anne and Lewis metropolis information:
John Giorno and Jasper Johns are again collectively once more.
Pat and Ron go away for Tulsa this Monday for one week. Then three weeks touring round California.
John Wieners’ dad and mom had him dedicated however a plan is being labored out to get him out.
Dial-A-Poem might be continued subsequent yr from the “St. Marks Church.”
Invoice Berkson has moved. His new tackle is 107 E. tenth St.
D. D. Ryan has been promoted to assistant producer, and now, is definitely within the film.
That’s about it.
(once more) Love, Joe
Mid-July 1969
Calais, Vermont
Expensive Jimmy:
Flowers not going too nicely. All of the completely different greens (which appear to vary from second to second) are driving me up the wall. Additionally—there’s a red-purple I simply can’t get. Additionally my wild flowers are too curvy (Artwork-Nouveau) and I can’t appear to straighten them out. A line (stem) like this [draws a smooth upward curve] at all times appears to finish up like this [draws an upward curve with kinks in it] and, when I attempt to straighten them out, they appear flat (life-less) not that I’ve something towards curves. However my flowers are virtually flying out of their bottles, off the canvas, to god solely is aware of the place. I by no means have preferred El Greco a lot. Apart from one pope. So—I’m not portray as we speak. A break. I’m sunning. At present is an attractive clear day, very blue, with not a cloud in sight. The solar is sizzling. It’s about one o’clock. Kenward is getting back from the town round seven tonight. The entire again of me is peeling, as sooner or later it received an excessive amount of solar. So—I must begin throughout, little by little, as for a number of years it has been completely uncared for. (Solar-wise) Not a lot is new. Besides that the day lilies are out. The orange ones. In full bloom. Throughout. There are numerous extra of them this yr. And the milkweeds. They’re in every single place. Which is O.Ok. with me. I like them. I learn someplace the opposite day that in the course of the warfare they have been used for lining coats. (Their fibers, or one thing, make good insulation.) Military coats. For very chilly climate. It additionally mentioned that their very small high leaves (the highest two or three), when cooked style like asparagus. I’d say they style extra like spinach. And never superb spinach at that. Maybe we didn’t cook dinner them proper yesterday. After oil portray all morning (I received up at 5:30!) I picked some grass and did a lot of inexperienced ink and brush drawings of it. I’m now reducing the grass out (with an X-Acto knife) after which I’m going to place all of it collectively, in layers, to make a strong patch of grass. (11″ x 14″) Thus far I’ve reduce out two layers. It’s fairly delicate reducing and I’ve a giant blister to show it. (Delicate, however exhausting) It will likely be very fairly I do know. It might probably’t miss. And it’s factor to do (reducing out grass) round 4 or 5 o’clock when your head is drained however you’re nonetheless type of wound up. Simply earlier than a drink. I plan to do a fern one too. If we ever get to Burlington (to get some extra X-Acto blades). As it’s relatively intricate reducing one blade won’t reduce very a lot so finely. I might at all times ship to the town for some. (Mail!) Now I’m not certain what to do about my two oil work of two wild flowers preparations. The precise flowers are gone now so I’ve a alternative of “faking it” (which I’m superb at) or forgetting them and begin some new ones. I believe I’ll do that (begin some new work) as, if I’m going to pretend it, I’ll as nicely wait till I get again to the town. In the meantime, maybe I can do some direct, right here. I need to maintain reminding myself that this isn’t my goal, now, to “produce good work” (relatively to study) about oils. About how issues look. About shade. And so forth. Shade is an actual downside. I don’t know the tube colours so nicely as I do know tempera jar colours. So I’ve to suppose. And considering isn’t a lot good relating to shade. From tempera portray I bear in mind one of the best “proper” colours kind of simply occur. Are you aware something about toe nails? My proper foot is larger than my left foot and cowboy boots usually are not superb for you, however I wore them quite a bit final yr anyway. The result’s that my large toe nail is so squeezed collectively and it is vitally thick and type of yellow. My thought is to file your entire nail (the highest half, really) all the way down to how skinny it must be. Do you suppose this may damage? (The nail) That’s to say, is a nail the identical all over? I’d hate to file away the floor of the nail and discover one thing completely different beneath it. There are a number of well being books right here, all with toe nail sections, however you understand how well being books are. (No actual data) They’re reducing down some bushes off to the left. (If one was getting into the entrance door) So for days there was fixed sawing. What we hear, I assume, is like an echo. Like a automotive attempting to begin. One does get used to it tho. Mrs. [Louise Andrews] Kent’s son owns that land. Except for getting a lot of wooden, it’s presupposed to be good for the land. (Thinning it) So Kenward mentioned. So Ralph [Weeks] informed Kenward Mrs. Kent is within the hospital. I don’t know if you already know her nicely sufficient that you’d wish to ship a card or not. I don’t know precisely what’s flawed along with her besides that, actually, she may be very outdated. It’s the Montpelier Hospital. The one Ron was in. Pat and Ron are both in Tulsa, or on their option to California. Or maybe in California. It’s exhausting to maintain monitor of the date up right here. And I don’t know their plans anyway. (Date-wise) Someday in August they’ll come up right here subsequent to go to some. Until, by subsequent yr we aren’t very shut. Which is feasible. Really we weren’t terribly shut this yr. Outdated pals don’t need you to vary. And, after all, it really works each methods. Or, maybe it’s simply more durable, round outdated pals, to attempt to change. At any price—generally, round Pat and Ron (and particularly Ted) I don’t really feel like myself. (1969-wise) After all, there are compensations. Like—I at all times really feel very comfy round Pat and Ron. And that’s NICE. I’m going to log off earlier than I discover myself with a complete new web page to fill. There was no mail for 2 days as Kenward has been away. So—if I’ve obtained a letter from you and never talked about it, for this reason I haven’t obtained it. Do write.
Love, Joe
P.S. Really, Ron is attempting. Two instances final yr I received a kiss. And after seeing the Royal Ballet he mentioned that Nureyev has a rear finish like mine. For some cause I used to be very touched by that. (Want it have been true).
From Love, Joe: The Collected Letters of Joe Brainard, edited by Daniel Kane, to be revealed by Columbia College Press this November.
Joe Brainard (1942–1994) was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved to New York Metropolis in 1960. He was a prolific author and artist throughout many media, together with work, collages, assemblages, and comic-strip collaborations with poets. His I Keep in mind has been translated into fifteen languages, and his artworks are within the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, the Museum of Fashionable Artwork, the Whitney Museum, and lots of others. He died of AIDS-related pneumonia.
