When I was in my teens, Robert took me for a walk along the Barbican. We sat down on a bench and we both gazed across the sound. It was a misty day with a little sunshine pouring through the sky. I never forgot how Robert became absorbed by an old circular gas station in the distance with all its rust, ladders and peeling paint glinting in the sun. I remember him saying to me how if it was reduced in size it would make the most exquisite wedding ring.
Mouse and Robert's life was dominated by painting, friends, food and chess, all of which were provided in England's lane in Belsize Park. 'The Loft' was a cafe owned by Kim Johnson and Eric the cook. Martin Carthy the guitarist, different friends would arrive and they all sat there late into the evening talking. Many types of people came to be painted. Mouse remembered a man with long claw-like fingernails and a long mane of hair. There were many characters. Life was mainly centred around home and cafes. They were poor.
Sometimes Mouse went home to Cornwall and their correspondence went into hundreds of letters. They were young and scruffy. Mouse wore a pair of old trousers cut down which belonged to Robert, tied around the waist with a piece of string. Mouse remembers Robert as not caring about his looks in any way.
When I was very young, Robert took a group of children including me to see the film Fiddler on the Roof. At the time it was a huge epic with Topol playing the lead part of the Jewish father to his three daughters. The film completely fascinated me and it was as if both Robert and I were very connected through that film. It gave me some insite into Jewish tradition and values. It also contained wonderful music and the strange little violinist who played on the roof who I remember Robert was intrigued by. Robert and I sang the songs from the film for months afterwards.
I remember as a young girl posing for Robert's mural. The scaffolding had just been put up and I tried to climb it to reach the platform where Robert was to paint me. He made me hold a long pole.I loved that mural. Years later, Robert told me he felt it was a terrible piece of work but I always felt it was a great piece and such fun. Robert would show me the rhythms and lines he had established in the composition of the painting and the colours, particularly the reds that were placed in specific areas to draw focus and attention. Robert was very good at this.
