A noted watercolorist, Bill Walker owned a successful printing company. I greatly respected his work and enjoyed sharing show experiences with him. At one point in our careers, I had only to point a finger at him and we would both double up in laughter.
The episode began when my teenage daughter caught his artistic eye early on a St.James Court Art Show morning.
Bill was involved with The Kentucky Watercolor Society which at the time, was sponsoring nude life drawing sessions in the Louisville area. He was always looking for attractive models.
My daughter had ridden to the show early that day with me. While I was finishing setting up my booth display, she was walking around the show area with another of my artist friends. They had a pleasant time chatting with other exhibitors in the Court area and I noticed her conversation was quite animated as the two moved back into my booth.
She excitedly announced that “The nice man” she pointed in the direction of Bill Walker’s booth, “just asked me to pose for The Kentucky Watercolor Society!”
I carefully put down the cloth I had been draping around a table and looked in the direction my adorable daughter had gestured.
There was Bill Walker smiling a good morning hello, quite pleased with his shapely discovery until I strode over to his area and with an accusing, deliberate pointing finger demanded, “Keep your hands off my daughter!”
It was difficult to keep a straight face as Bill looked from me to the young lady standing in my booth. Throwing up his hands as if to defend my attack, he kept muttering, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t know she was your daughter.
For years later, all I had to do was point at Bill and our laughter would begin
. Bill found other models for The Kentucky Watercolor Society to sketch and paint, none of whom were related to me.