#759 Mike Stark Dreaming of Flowers- Noel Rockmore RARE

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This is an Original Noel Rockmore from 1972 Titled: Mike Stark Dreaming of Flowers (by collector – Untitled by artist) It is a 14 X 11 Watercolor/pen on paper and NOT framed but nicely matted. It is from the Shirley Marvin Collection and it is from her SketchBook #24 - Titled: 1971-72 Paintings, Portraits & Old Time Collages It is the 14th page of the Sketchbook and is signed and dated 72 by Rockmore. The catalog Number within the Shirley Marvin Collection given to this work is 72.759 This work was purchased directly from The Artist, Noel Rockmore, by Shirley Marvin and comes with a letter of authenticity. Why did Rockmore do an Old Time Collage series? Noel Rockmore was a lifelong learner and loved immersing himself in significant historical time periods that he was sure he could paint better than the artist of that time. In this series, Rockmore transports himself back into the time of the Victorian era. He spent a good effort doing the groundwork for what was to be a major series. At first it was a Scrapbook series and then evolved into a StoryBook series and there was a show at Bryant Galleries in the early 70s dedicated to this. He decides to do his own take on including Mike Stark in this particular Scrapbook collage. This also begins a string of black, gray, blue and dark portraits that are among Rockmore's finest ever and the man did a LOT of portraits. What makes this one RARE and really SPECIAL is that he uses two styles to capture his best friend, his confidant and his therapist and did Rockmore ever need someone like that. The flowers have always symbolized Rockmore's gift as an artist to the world and in this work, it seems to be his gift to Mike Stark. How interesting and significant that Rockmore would do such a tender homage to the Leader of the FLOWER children, the gentle giant that gave of himself to others throughout his life. Mike Stark, the minister of the French Quarter hippie flower children captured lovingly by his best friend at that time, master artist Noel Rockmore. Who was Mike Stark and how does he relate to Rockmore? This giant soft spoken gay former Baptist minister from Texas who wore kaftans and often a hat or headpiece became the voice of the hippies and eventually the small merchants of The French Quarter. Mike was lost when he arrived in New Orleans, no longer feeling the calling to the church, struggling with his sexual identity and then he was found by Larry Borenstien. Larry set Mike up with the Jaffes who put him at the door of Preservation Hall where he of course met Rockmore. They bonded and Mike became the closest thing Rockmore ever had to a spiritual advisor and counselor. Rockmore empowered Mike to be himself, wear his kaftans and continue the leadership that was born in his ministry. Mike Stark became the leader of the hippies and wayward people of the French Quarter in the late 60s and early 70s. He became quite savvy in local politics and knew what to do to make things happen or take on the powers that were in place that Larry Borenstien had alienated in many ways. When the French Quarter flea market vendors were being run off, it was Mike Stark to the rescue once again. Mike also had fame as a mask maker and a permanent fixture and important JazzFest person. Mike Stark’s family would come from Texas on New Years and create a magnificent feast for all of the Quarterites and often times the Preservation hall band would reciprocate by stopping at the Stark home in backwoods Texas to play music for the family and friends. Mike Stark officiated Rockmore's memorial service and led the eulogy in 1995. Mike Stark was to die himself just a few years later after surviving a heart attack earlier. Who was Noel Rockmore? See Wikipedia - /wiki/Noel_Rockmore Noel Rockmore was an undiscovered American Master of the last half of the 20 th Century who split his lifetime between New York and New Orleans. He was recognized and had shows at The Whitney, M... read more

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