Pandemic Story

Nayarit Mexico 2019\21

My my my…it was just moons ago that George was alive, smiling, promising me all would be as I left it upon my return after the Summer heat and humidity subsided at Playa La Manzanilla and sending me off to California.

Now, I sit in Mexico City. George is dead and gone except for his sombrero that he gave me after burning a hole in it.

---

It all began on an uneventful morn when dDelany sailed out to sea under the red span of the Golden Gate Bridge. Over the course of the next two months it would become clear to him that a sailboat has no room for painting. And that the possibility of drowning inspires only fear and bickering in close quarters.

Opting for the mainland he arrived in the port city of San Blas where he began to paint at the Colonial Hotel and by chance was introduced to George Berg by another occupant. Both being artists, from the first there was an easy rapport between the two. When the Hotel closed for Christmas dDelany found himself guest and companion with George and Kincho, the mexican hired hand.

Continuing his travels after the holidays and before Covid exploded on the scene dDelany made his merry way to a fiesta down the coast a piece where the wine flowed and the music played all night. During the day he painted murals on the master of ceremonie’s walls. Saint Patty’s day terminated with a hangover and Covid 19 loose upon the world. It was made clear to him that he must shelter in place.

At the George’s gate before the Saint’s day was 24 hours behind him he was waved into the house without a word. And there he stayed, painted, conversed and aided wherever he was able. He was able in the main to keep a rolling bilingual banter going with George and Kincho that was appreciated and became a staple of the three men’s day to day month after month. They were a fine crew aboard a magical ship and they weathered every storm while making fast their friendship.

When dDelany was lucky enough to be fully vaccinate for a birthday celebration with an online lass and a week later touching down in Oakland California. He was riding pretty high and decided to return to George’s pirate ship after spending the Summer in the good ol USA.

Hombre propone y dios dispone or Man proposes and God disposes. Within weeks he was racing to complete his errands pack his belonging and race back to George’s bedside. George had in fact fallen into dDelany’s bed and was not looking like he was going to leave it alive. The day George died dDelany had only reached Mazatlan. It was early in the morning and storming. A light rain fell as he was accompanied by the guard to the parking to take his car south for the funeral. He was asked by the guard, ” Porque sale tan temprano?” Why are you leaving so early? Well, you see my friend George died.. just then the sky cracked and boomed with thunder! Without missing a beat the guard replies “Esta bien venido.” He is well received. And so it is.

I didn’t say much about the evolution of dDelany’s work over time. How the pieces grew in size and color. The way George would admire the work and allow the mess adding as he passed by the door, “More blue.” He slipped down a slippery road of dementia. He told me how he heard his own voice echo in his head. He loved his animals with all the passion that was left in him. He had a temper but was always so quick to apologise one had no time to hold a grudge. his wit, humanity and sense of humor not to mention generosity and open mindedness made all the work dDelany did during those 15 months possible, necessary.

View Paintings 2020 dDelany