A February Entry From My 1976 Journal

Stephen Sprouse was living in a now famous loft building having been invited to stay by the temporary  landlord, Benton Quin who had also previously invited Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. We were all still playing well together. (See some pix on my website here: Blondie "266 Loft" ) Stephen was experimenting with Color Xerox. It was new to all of us and too expensive for most. We loved the high contrast you could get from Xeroxing a photo and the new bright colors. They had an influence on his clothes to come. He gave me this picture (I wish I could remember the name of the model who looks like one of "Antonio's Girls") and I think I folded it. We didn’t know that it took these forever to fully dry. The two sides got stuck together but I peeled them apart so I could paste it in my journal. I didn’t know about archival glue and preservation methods in those days. Then I took my Journal to Washington, D.C. where I was in previews with Divine, et al in Tom Eyen’s "Women Behind Bars" and I wrote on it. 

I try not to judge my callow self.

Here's what it says.: 

‘BY DEAR STEVEN SPROUSE WHO IS NOW WORKING FOR GEOFFREY BEENE INSTEAD OF THAT CROOK HALSTON. I MISS EVERYONE AT THE 266 LOFT. I WISH I COULD JUST HOP HOME. BUT FOUR HOURS IS TOO BIG OF A HOP. THE WASHINGTON THEATER CLUB IS A REALLY NICE SPACE TO BE WORKING. MY ROOMATE AT THE INTRIGUE HOTEL IS A DRAG. SHE IS A “NICE” GIRL.’

Van Smith, DIVINE.

Van Smith created Divine's look. His make-up and costuming skills have been widely imitated but he would happily admit to having copied from others including Jayne Mansfield and Clarabelle the Clown. He was my roommate in 1975 -- A great one, too. He made me read The Secret Life of Plants, laugh alot and always eat a sensible dinner. He passed away on Dec. 5. More about Van in this well written and researched obit from The Guardian.
This picture was taken by me in the dressing room of the Truck and Warehouse Theater on East 4th Street, NYC, where Divine and a cast of 11 (including myself) were performing 8 times a week in Tom Eyen's Women Behind Bars.