I remember. . . .

I read in the newspaper the other day that Playboy magazine is bringing back nude women.  Apparently people weren't buying the magazine once they did away with their signature nude layouts and there was no rush to buy it for the articles.  Circulation had dropped drastically from the 7.1 million of its heyday in the early 70's.

The article reminded me of my brush with Playboy in that period when I represented a very successful Miami-based artist by the name of Tony Scornavacca.  Tony had done a series of paintings of elegant and sexy young Renaissance men that he thought would go great in the magazine.  He hired my public relations services to try to sell Playboy on publishing them as he realized they would go way up in price if they did.

Playboy, in the 70's, was the hottest place you could possibly be published and not an easy task to accomplish.  My deal with Tony was a really terrific fee in the thousands if I accomplished it, and nothing if I couldn't.  And boy, did I try.  I used every contact I had in the publishing world and pulled every trick I could think of.  No deal. 

When I realized it was not going to happen I showed up at Tony's studio/gallery one afternoon to make my apologies.  He was sitting at his easel apparently painting as I explained how I had tried and tried and how sorry I was that I didn't get his elegant paintings printed in Playboy, and there was no reason to pay me for my work.  He was very understanding and kind and told me that he knew I had really tried.

When I went up to him to say goodbye, I suddenly realized that the subject he was painting, the whole time I was talking, was me!  It was Tony's way of thanking me for my efforts.

He was an incredible artist who died much too young.  I guess I have Playboy to thank for this painting that hangs on my bedroom wall.  
 

And yes, I had long hair worn on top of my head in those days!