Lucky Me... A Tribute to Terry Melcher
and to Helen, without whom none of this would have happened
April 2017 . . our first Doris Day Birthday Weekend . . I was intrigued but apprehensive . . did I have anything to bring to the party ? I needn't have worried, as the gathering at the iconic Cypress Inn was laced with love and warm welcomes for All . . but as soon as we entered Terry's Lounge I knew my life had changed . . it was clear that his portrait photo had seen better days, which brought a tinge of sadness to an otherwise optimistic and uplifting time. Though my painting skills had lain dormant for 35 years, I knew instantly I had to find a way to honor his memory properly, for the Cypress Inn, for him, for Doris and for her fans .
Well, the Birthday weekend was utterly uplifting . . seeing and hearing Doris was the Thrill of it All! I came away with my desire to paint reignited. We returned for two more Birthdays with paintings and sculptures for (and inspired by) Doris which, to our delight, she loved. But I still had this nagging need to do something about Terry's picture. So this year, with my creativity refreshed, I plucked up the courage to offer a replacement painting of Terry to Doris' partner in the Cypress Inn, Denny Levett. Once more, my reservations were unfounded. His charm and ready wit quickly quashed any nerves I had and he agreed enthusiastically with my idea.
Back home, the paint flowed and gradually my ideas crystallized on the canvas. Fast forward to October 19, 2019 and the final flourish, as Terry came home. My promise to Doris fulfilled and smiles all around. So now I can happy-soapily continue to create artworks in tribute to our amazing and inspiring Doris, to whom I say Thank you for being everything that you could be, for leaving us your legacy of Love and for opening our eyes and our hearts .
- Brian Day
Well, the Birthday weekend was utterly uplifting . . seeing and hearing Doris was the Thrill of it All! I came away with my desire to paint reignited. We returned for two more Birthdays with paintings and sculptures for (and inspired by) Doris which, to our delight, she loved. But I still had this nagging need to do something about Terry's picture. So this year, with my creativity refreshed, I plucked up the courage to offer a replacement painting of Terry to Doris' partner in the Cypress Inn, Denny Levett. Once more, my reservations were unfounded. His charm and ready wit quickly quashed any nerves I had and he agreed enthusiastically with my idea.
Back home, the paint flowed and gradually my ideas crystallized on the canvas. Fast forward to October 19, 2019 and the final flourish, as Terry came home. My promise to Doris fulfilled and smiles all around. So now I can happy-soapily continue to create artworks in tribute to our amazing and inspiring Doris, to whom I say Thank you for being everything that you could be, for leaving us your legacy of Love and for opening our eyes and our hearts .
- Brian Day
