Monday, April 29, 2013

Trip to Dallas - Day 2


                                                           Adrian’s Excellent Adventure!

1: A few observations on the public gathering of five Presidents:
Apologies, there are some names not named and description left rather vague. This is an intentional observation of Presidential etiquette. I would not want to fall victim to what Jackie Kennedy once described as “The White House Disease”; i.e, an inappropriate and unforgiveable lapse of discretion.

     Regardless of the beautiful weather it was still Texas, and by 8 in the morning the rising sun bored into the side of your face. As the day went on, the only thing between me and sunstroke was my trusty Stetson. Leah were up at 5am, and I arrived at 7am in front of the Bush Library. As per instructions, taking designated subway routes we shared our seats with sleepy commuters staring at us with surprise. Of course, the travelers to the Bush Library recognized each other immediately. Women in 4, 5 even 6 inch heels, Bulgari jewels and Hermes scarves accompanied men in tailor-made suits, Rolex watches and White House bling  -  cufflinks, tie tacks and lapel pins gifted to them by various Presidents they had visited in the Oval Office.  I had on a black Stetson fedora, a Tommy Hilfiger single-breasted, 3 buttoned charcoal grey suit and a Calvin Klein self-stripe dress shirt with French cuffs tricked out with Camp David cufflinks (not many of those around.) Walking in with black Tony Lama boots, I was the very image of Texas chic meets Frank Sinatra Rat Pack.   Leah was wearing a fabulous, navy blue Jean-Louis Scherrer couture dress with high collar, wide lapels and gold buttons. Her wrap was a wool off-white Givenchy scarf bordered in red silk. The red, white and blue color scheme created a Patriotic America-meets-French fashion ensemble drenched in feminine pheromones. This spectacular wardrobe was supplied by Woodland Farms Vintage Clothing (www.woodlandfarmsantiques.com).


     After checking each other out, we immediately began clumping together in the crowded commuter train headed for SMU and introduced ourselves. On the train we met a delightful Consul General and his wife. Enjoying each other’s company, the four of us sat together and visited until the show began. Arriving early, it wasn’t early enough as many of the prime seats were already occupied -  President and Mrs. Bush with a few thousand of their closest friends. Sitting in the designated “White Area” we were dwarfed by the four story high scaffold press tower groaning under hundreds of people and tons of camera equipment and a couple of 7 foot tall plus professional basketball players looking for seats. Off to the side was a retractable, fifty-foot boom delicately suspending a camera that constantly scanned the audience. In front of us was the Library with two arm-like wings extending out. On the roof, men in black using binoculars (and no doubt sniper rifles on bipods at their feet) with little interest in the audience randomly peered off into the distance. Several times I noticed they quickly focused in one direction giving me a queasy feeling and I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder. What a world we live in.

      We were surrounded. Between the library wings was a temporary stage holding some chairs, a podium and a few panels of bullet-proof glass. On the ends of the library facing us were two gigantic screens. I felt like I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert. In the center of all this, directly in front of the podium was a mosh pit holding around a hundred seats screened off with a six-foot high fabric wall.  Who was in there I wondered!? At ten o’clock, things started with Condoleezza Rice introducing the “special guests.” As it turned out, these were the mysterious inhabitants behind the curtain. People like Tony Blair and his wife; Silvio Berlusconi; Arab ruler; Russian dignitaries; Japanese officials; South American presidents, etc. Laura Bush came to the podium and welcomed everyone with a few remarks. As controversial as her husband is to many people, Mrs. Bush has always been warmly regarded by the general public, and this occasion was no different. Over the years, I’ve become acquainted with them in public and private situations and as a couple they are very close.

     As the only world famous people I know, I’m no authority on the consequences of being intensely in the public eye, but I’ve personally witnessed an occasional abuse by an antagonistic press that verges on the grotesque. Most reporters, I’m happy to say, have been generally respectful and professional even ingratiating at times - but when they are working and I see a wall  of countless glittering eyes before me, I’m very glad that I’m not on the menu.

     Shortly before Mrs. Bush’s greetings, all five Presidents came out simultaneously, rising up from the back and walking forward together (except for HW who was in a wheelchair.) It gave me the impression of an ageing boy band giving one last tour. The crowd did not go wild. There seemed a reverential air over everything. These men had been through so much and we had been through so much with them. Starting with the Iranian hostage crisis during President Carter’s tenure and the explosion during the Boston Marathon only weeks before, these men were there and in charge as America changed and as the world changed for all of us.

     Each President spoke briefly in turn, in a way that I thought revealed something of each ones personality. 39 was earnest, 41, although having slight difficulty speaking, was gentlemanly, 42 intimate, exuding an ebullient confidence, 44 controlled and taking care of business. At the end, 43 got up and the man as I’ve come to know him began to speak. At times, I feel he is a combination of two different temperaments - one, aristocratic (never apologize, never explain) the other extremely warm and empathetic, recognizing no cultural or class barriers. His lack of narcissism, which at times I think has been a distinct disadvantage for him in his line of work, has mystified the country in general and politicians in particular. Throughout history, it often seems a large dose of self-involvement is a prerequisite for a major political career and is certainly essential for entertaining the public. However, fundamental to George Bush’s life is the idea of service to his country. Luckily for America, this idea of “service” is an attribute of many in our government - Republican and Democrat - but to President Bush it is the bedrock and core of his personality.  Obviously, he could never have become President without also having the capacity for savvy and tough-minded political skills but that is not how I know him. As an artist doing work for the White House, I had a different kind of relationship.

     One of my most cherished memories of President and Mrs. Bush began when Leah, Sebastian and I were invited to spend the weekend at Camp David. During dinner conversation President Bush invited us all to visit him the next Monday in the Oval Office. I was stunned and brought it up with Mrs. Bush Sunday morning during breakfast.  “Mrs. Bush, the President has invited us to the Oval office, including my Mom and Dad. I’m very grateful, but from experience it takes days for background checks. How can this happen tomorrow?” She smiled an advised me to call my parents.
   
     Monday waiting our turn outside the Oval Office we were instructed that this was a photo op - just a few minutes, a few photographs and then we were to leave by another exit.   The door opened and we were ushered in. President Bush came forward took my mother’s hand, helped her in and began speaking Spanish with my dad. The President started walking towards his desk and the photographer began setting up his camera shot, then my mother said something to him no one else could hear and everything stopped. For a brief moment, the President seemed startled and looked at her for a moment very intently. Then he began describing each painting on the walls of the Oval Office and what they meant to him. He ushered us into the large Cabinet Room and other smaller areas pointing out various artifacts, paintings and sculptures. We then went outside into the Rose Garden and admired a magnolia tree planted by Andrew Jackson.  By this time over an hour had gone by. Worried aides had come in and out several times wearing frozen expressions but with a look from him they left just as quickly. Slowly, we made our way back into the Oval Office. Mom has difficulty walking and he often gave her his arm as he gently helped her up and down steps. Once inside, the photographer began again fiddling with his camera and aides tried to insert themselves among us and once again the President waived them off. We moved to his desk where his family photos were. He picked up one and showed us a picture with his grandfather, and a very young HW and Barbara Bush holding a newborn W in her arms. Then he began talking to us about our family, my father, my mother, Sebastian. It was an extraordinary moment. Photos were eventually taken and we left. As I remember, it was the only time I have ever impressed my dad. Later I asked Mom, “What did you say to him when we first walked in?” She thought a moment and replied, “I said - you have looked into the faces of all the great leaders in the world and now I’m looking back into those same blue eyes.”  It was pure Mom.

     In an hour or so, the Dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center was over and the crowd slowly moved away. That night would be the “block party” and Saturday we could see inside the library. I was anxious to visit the building and see the 12’ high alcoves I had painted several years earlier. Originally painted for the White House, they were now permanently installed in the large formal reception area of the library. But that’s another story.

Soon to follow: “The big party”, “The library Alcove surprise” and “Leah and Adrian being styled in Dallas by Janet Schwarz of Woodland Farms and Ken Weber of Vintage Martini.”

  

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Dedication of Bush Library....Day 1 - Travel


Thinking back 12 years ago to the first time I met President Bush. It was a hot day in June; he was in a t shirt playing horseshoes with a friend, “be there in a minute-just finishing the game.” It was before 9-11 and the world was different. Leah, Sebastian and I Started looking around when a beautiful blond rushed into my personal space let out a she lion roar and pulled up her shirt revealing an exceptional six pack. She yelled out her name and demanded “Feel my abs!” I was speechless. The horseshoe game ended and the President walked up to my son and said, “Hello young man what’s your name?” Sebastian looked up put out his hand and said “My name is Adrian Sebastian Martinez.” It was a moment I’ll never forget.
Tomorrow Leah and I will attend the opening of the Bush library. My son now 21 is away at college, and the world is indeed changed .Besides Leah and I and many other people five Presidents will be there. It will be good to see everything and visit some of the major paintings I’ve completed for them over the years. I’ll keep you posted in real time tomorrow on face book and this blog- Stay tuned.    By the way, I bet your thinking “what about the lioness?” She was the wife of President  Bush’s horse shoe partner and apparently a popular fitness guru in Texas. The whole yelling thing and the “Feel my abs!” demand was part of her ebullient persona.