As a serious amateur photographer, when you come upon a subject that is irresistible you just have to go for it, right? It’ll never happen again, once in a lifetime—well, you gotta!
But when the subject is a human being, there’s more at stake than exploiting the rarity. In this case, an office freelancer chum who has maybe worked real hard to make a deadline. Or maybe had too good a party the night before. Or who was as lazy as freelancers are supposed to be.
Or has the uncanny ability to fold herself up into a ball chair and fall asleep. And not fall on the floor. Submitted for your approval: The Incredible Folding Freelancer—
It was that languid, draped hand that caught my attention. Look at that study in sleep. Disbelieving, I moved around and yeah, that was Deb!
The place was Louise “Weezie” Jones, Editrix Par Excellence, at her 575 Madison Ave office. Maybe around 1982. Deb Pedlar was an old associate of Weezie’s and was known in the Bullpen as a crackerjack paste-up & mechanical artist. That is Weezie in the above shot, out of focus in the background.
As a side note in all of this, you might note that this chair is not like any other one in any of the pictures I have taken. In grand tradition, whenever we needed another chair or table, we would sneak up to 9 and relocate the item. Since almost no one from up there ever came down to 6, we were safe. I’m not accusing Weezie of liberating upstairs furniture for herself. Really, no! I’m sure it was the previous tenant.
To prove Deb was good for something other than her notable imitation of an outboard motor, here’s a couple of shots of her actually doing something!
After my time, but part of the grand mosaic. Thanks!
Is “cute as a bug’s ear” okay to say nowadays? Well, she was, dammit!
This was a little after my time… but no one from 9 came down to 6..lol except me. I always found a reason to go there… its where i wanted to be😁
I did think that and considered mentioning it but I wondered if people would know you just by the months-ago mention. I worry about talking in big digressions (yes, doesn’t look it, but I do!) and having to explain details (and people) over and over. I do have a whole page planned for you. You’re also an honorary bullpenner in my estimation.
Thanks, Eliot. Lovely pictures of Deb, and some fine memories.
She also colored about a third of the ALIEN graphic novel adaptation that Archie Goodwin and I did for Heavy Metal. A woman of many talents. And a good friend. All my love, sugar. 🙂
Thanks, Walt– I didn’t get to know Deb all that well. What I did meet was awfully nice.
Very nice candid shots, especially as I recall Deb was rather camera shy in other settings. Love these.
Thank you, nice to hear. I seemed to be able to disarm people long enough to get some good pictures.