This text is from Miss Furr and Miss Skeene, a short story by Gertrude Stein containing over 100 occurrences of the word gay. Many of Stein’s writings used repetition, or as she referred to it, “insistence”. Is it a portrait of her friends Ethel Mars and Maud Hunt Squires, who frequented her studio in Paris, or a veiled reference to her own relationship with Alice B. Toklas?
I donated this piece to Horizons Foundation for their annual auction.
Calligraphy by Raoul 
Beautiful, Raoul!! Did you write directly on the photograph?
Melissa Titone Conference Co-Director The Passionate Pen 2015 International Calligraphy Conference
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Thank you, Melissa. I used Dr. Martin’s Pen White on Duralar film. The inkjet print is behind the Duralar.
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I didn’t see if you said anything about the purple rose…
Was that a picture, or a painting?
The writing is beautiful, of course.
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That’s an inkjet print of a photo.
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> Truly beautiful, Raoul, undoubtedly the most elegant piece submitted for the Auction.
My hat
is off to you & you deserve all the beautiful bouquets that the universe can offer you!
Love, alan
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So beautiful Raol!!!
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Terrific, Raoul.
Poignant and elegant.
xo
Cindy
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PS. Love the bounce
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Once again Raoul, you have created a stunningly gorgeous piece. Thanks, Martha
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Thanks for sharing, Raoul. They Were Gay is gorgeous ! Georgianna
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Love your work! How exciting. Please keep us posted on how the auction went. I bet there was lots of bidding.
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