Cómo Fumar Marihuana

At the gift shop of the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City they must have seen me coming.  In addition to a couple of books on indigenous brujas and magical practices, they offered a slim volume titled "Cómo Fumar Marihuana y Tener un Buen Viaje," (How to Smoke Marijuana and have a Good Trip), which I instantly shelled out 250 pesos for.

Well, it turns out that the book is a Spanish translation of a somewhat quaint sociological essay written in English in 1953 by an American, Howard Becker, but I read it with interest  anyway.  Our host in Mexico had provided me with a small stash; it did seem to improve our voyage.  Along the way it occurred to me that this might be a nice theme to base some paintings on.  The self-portrait "Old Gringo" came first, followed by "Pot Party,"  in which I attempted to capture some iconic gestures.  Finally, a few months later, following my truly life-altering cataract surgery, I celebrated the double meaning of "New Eyes."