I revisited the beautiful Colcord hotel Friday, with paper clay and an artist friend in tow.
I figured if I couldn't have the whole beautiful letter box, I'd just get myself a little piece of it.
Here I am, making my first impression.
How do you think I did?
I made that one for Prince Charming.
He's an Eagles fan, and a lover of eagles.
This one I did just because it needed to be done.
I still love to look at it.
Here is a corner piece from the medallions on the incredible elevator doors (I think).
My paper clay was used up all too soon.
My friend, whom we shall call by her Indian name, What Would Happen If, was more thoughtful.
Of course, she's made impressions all over the world.
I guess she packs her paper clay right in there with her walking shoes and extra socks when she travels.
Soon we had a nice little collection of impressions spread out on the (very cool) seating next to the elevator.
And while we were standing there talking about what to do next, a very tall man came up to wait on the elevator.
He was the tallest man I had ever seen.
He had two members of the hotel staff following him.
He had an athletic bag in his hand.
And I overheard him say, "Can I make a suggestion? Mumblemumblemumble. If we come back for the playoffs mumblemumblemumble need more weights mumblemumblemumble."
I decided he was a professional ball player.
But what do I know?
After he got on the elevator, the staff members turned their attention on us.
"What is this you are doing?"
(Ummmm.)
"We are taking paper clay impressions of some of the beautiful features in this hotel", replied What Would Happen If.
(I stared at my feet.)
"What for?"
(Did I imaginine that stiffening of her managerial shoulders?)
"We are artists", said What Would Happen If.
"Oh, really!?"
(She was impressed.)
"Are you local?"
(She was excited.)
"How will you use these pieces?"
(She was interested.)
"Mumblemumblemumble", I replied.
We finished up, put our clay in the car, and came back in to wash up.
Then we went to lunch in the hotel restaurant.
Our seating provided me with a nice view of the front sidewalk .
The sidewalk where the local news station had stationed their reporters and cameras.
The sidewalk the L.A. Lakers' bus pulled up to.
I think that tall man may have been Kobe Bryant.
But I don't think I made an impression.