Milton Glaser's Generosity
I had once seen a silkscreen by Milton Glaser out of the corner of my eye as I walked out of his building one day. For a long time, I could not get the image out of my mind. It was a yellow windowsill.
On another day, while in the neighborhood, I walked over to his studio and asked his studio assistant if I could see his posters. I was directed to an area full of flat drawers where I was allowed to look through his work. I found the yellow windowsill. I really wanted to own it. Milton happened to walk by and I asked him how much it would cost me to buy it. $100 he said. I could not believe it, but I knew his heart was not in the business of making money off of former students. By then I was earning money as an Art Director and wanted to purchase art. I asked if I could look at more prints. I located four more prints I wanted and asked how much they would cost. The studio assistant walked over to Milton at his drawing table and came back to me and said $100 each. I was blown away. I purchased five original silkscreens by Milton Glaser, each as beautiful and magical as the other.
I asked if Milton would recommend where to get them framed. He recommended a fine art framer around the corner. I was besides myself. I did not yet own much original artwork (although I did own a Jasper Johns silkscreen—but that's another story). On that bright sunny day I walked my newfound prints to the framer around the corner on Lexington Avenue. The framer made impeccable recommendations about how to mat and frame each one. These five silkscreens surround and delight me to this day.
One could accuse me of being a "Milton groupie" and one would probably be right. But, more than that, each print reminds me in a different way of the brilliance of a well lived life, doing what one loves. His love for travel, his love for food, his love for creating. These prints also remind me of the incredible exuberance of being around Milton, whether at SVA or at his studio, because the atmosphere was always electric with creativity and remarkable people. These were transcendent experiences. And these posters, in addition to being incredibly beautiful, instill in me that passion every day.
Traci Churchill
February 22, 2022
View from Greve
View from Volpaia
View near Radda
White eggplants and beethoven
