Letters & Diaries

1958 January Diary entry written by Rockmore - Discusses wanting to create a technique like Seurat did

1960 General Rules for egg tempera technique by Noel Rockmore - from the master direct to you!

1963-12-9 BCC to Shirley(Baton Rouge,LA) From E. Lorenz Borenstein(NOLA) Letter to Richard Wentworth (LSU Press) - Quite interesting as Larry outlines the Preservation Hall Portarits book and the Rockmore upcoming show schedule.

1964-3-4 Postcard To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(NYC) - This brief Postcard shows Rockmore's disenchantment with being managed by Larry. It also references the side deal of selling sketchbooks Noel had arranged with Shirley as well as the Homage to 67th St with 20 Portraits.

1966-3-8 Letter to Shirley(BRLA) From E. Lorenz Borenstein(NOLA) - This references Noel's trip to Mexico with Larry that resulted in several works. Also, Shirley's chance to redo her portrait that shows her sleeping in her Op-Art dress as she was posing. It was hot, she fell asleep, that's how Rockmore painted it.

1966-10 Note To Shirley From Rockmore included in Morocco Book - This plea for more $ is a nice insight into the evolution of the sketchbook on the side relationship between Rockmore & Shirley.

1967-2-16 Letter To Andrew Wyeth From Shirley(BRLA) - Shirley contacts Andrew Wyeth to send a condolence note to Rockmore after attending Wyeth's show with her sister and Wyeth's son Nicky.

1967-2-22 notes by Rockmore(NYC) upon the death of his mother - Rockmore's feelings after the death of his mother - Gladys Rockmore Davis.

1967-3-4 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(33W67. NYC) - References Deal Rockmore makes with Sergio Franchi and Victor Potamkin to manage his career for a regular paycheck also mentions Andrew Wyeth letter.

1967-3-15 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(McGlades Bar, NYC) - Rockmore very excited about his new direction in art and situation with Potamkin & Sergio! Predicts his own death at 57 from over indulgence in sex (he is 38 and would die at 66).

1967-4-23 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore (33W67. NYC) - Feelings about other artist and career - reflective, almost sad but committed.

1967-6-21 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(Haight-Asbury. SF) - Rockmore at Hippie Ground Zero - Summer 67

1967-6 Note To Shirley From Rockmore(CA) SF/Laguna Beach Sketch Book - Nice insight into how Rockmore feels about being managed by others including Potamkin and Borenstien.

1967-7-21 Letter To Rockmore (2632Post. SF) From Shirley(BRLA) - about Larry, Noel & Shirley and their dynamics - includes Rockmore Response and his hard sell to buy works at BIG NYC Show!

1967-8-16 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(SF) - Sad moment of Rockmore confessing to hiding from his kids and ex (that he has not seen in 9 years) who are visiting his sister (their aunt) where he is living.

1967-10-7 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(33W67. NYC) - Preparations for the Ultimate NYC Career Show as Rockmore proclaims he is going to the Top! As Rockmore's fate might have it, this is also the show that is completely sabotaged by the Riot at the UN on Opening Night chronicled in the NY Daily News, Portrait of an Artist Sorely tried by Riotous Times.

1967-11-22 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(NYC) - Rockmore is in middle of Big NYC Show and already planning Potamkin sponsored trip to Israel. No mention of opening night disaster just moving on to the next opportunity. Postcards from Rockmore in Israel & Athens included here as well.

1968 January-March - Back & Forth between Rockmore(NYC) & Shirley(BRLA) - Shirley has concerns about Potamkin direction vs. Art Establishment and expresses them to Noel who does not take it well. Also, introduced is Rockmore's young second wife Robin whom falls victim to Rockmore's intense desire to marry someone no matter what despite Sergio Franchi's advice. The Miami show falls through as does the marraige and relationship with Potamkin.

1968 May-June (3 Letters) to Shirley(BRLA) from Borenstien(NOLA) an 2 from Rockmore(33W67. NYC) - The first letter from Larry is interesting gossip from someone who attended the Philadelphia Israel Rockmore Show and did not like it all. It contains Larry's response although according to Shirley, Larry could have fabricated it all just to get a rise out of her. The 2 letters from Noel to Shirley discussing things going bad with Potamkin and an interesting work of JFK & RFK after the RFK assasination.

1968 October & 1969 January - Letters from Shirley(the Promoter) to Henry Miller & Response from William Seitz(Museum Director) - Shirley was constantly working behind the scenes to help Rockmore gain a foothold in the art community.

1969 - March - Letter To Shirley (BRLA) From Rockmore (San Fran) about return to New Orleans - Rockmore talks about his divorce from Robin, living in San Fran with new girlfriend Carol & her 4 year old and also the dynamics with Larry about his return to New Orleans. Larry liked to call the shots of Rockmore's visits and at 40 years old, Rockmore declares his independence from Larry.

1969 April - May (3) Letters To Shirley(BRLA) - (1)From Borenstein(NOLA) & (2) From Rockmore on his return to New Orleans - Rockmore is back, Larry is happy, Rockmore is broke, borrowing from Jaffe, selling works to Shirley and Potamkin on the side, broke, mad at Larry, I.E. Everything is back to abnormal.

1970-1-12 Letter To Rockmore From Shirley - About Homage to French Quarter and Larry Borenstien - Shirley has just seen the Homage to the French Quarter and describes her feelings about it. Larry has been depicted in a most unflattering way and Shirley pleads with Rockmore to change it - which he eventually does - and then describes everthing that Larry has meant to the French Quarter and to both of them. It is a beautiful and accurate account. There is also a mention of another young girlfriend, Mary May from 1970.

1970-5-1 Letter To Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(638 Royal. NOLA) - Sister Gertrude Morgan - Both Rockmore and Larry have fallen completely under the influence of primitive folk artist and preacher, Sister Gertrude Morgan. Of course they are still battling with each other as Rockmore implores Shirley to never buy a sketchbook of Sister Gertrude from Larry.

1970 July (3) Letters from Rockmore (NOLA & NYC) to Shirley (BRLA) - From Tired to Inspired to Drunk, Depressed and Alone - Rockmore is feeling creatively inspired and yet the day to day financial and the reality of the Art world are taking it's toll on him. He does find a new girlfriend, Riva, who will be with him for the next two years. He mentions several series he contemplates and will eventually complete them all. You can really sense the manic-depressive run of emotions in these letters.

1971 April-May - (3) Letters to Shirley (1) from Borenstien & (2) from Rockmore - Jimmy Carter and the 1st Jazzfest - Rockmore does do the 1st JazzFest Poster under Larry for George Wein. The Time Cover of Jimmy Carter gets scuttled at the final hour as too intense and a cartoon caricature is used instead. So close, once again.

August 2, 1971 Letter to Shirley (1127) from Rockmore (638 Royal, NO) accompanying "Scrapbook Collection" May-August 1971 - This introduces us to O.M. (old man) and Riva and mentions how close he is to his sister Debbie. He is excited about his new Scrapbook Series of work.

1972 March-May - Rockmore's Letters to Shirley(BRLA) from Paris, Venice & NYC - A fascinating adventure from Rockmore's perspective. He does not like Paris, loves Venice, misses New Orleans, does not like assignment for Wein, gave up everything bad for him except wine, realizes he is breaking up with Riva after two years and he panics upon return to NYC.

1973-5-18 Letter to Noel from Shirley(BRLA) & Shirley Journal of Phone Call - Tired of trying to make the Book happen, new girlfriend Micki Cahn mentioned, problems with Larry & Potamkin.

1974 February-April (3) Letters to Shirley(BRLA) from Rockmore(NYC) - He fled NOLA to escape thugs! - Rockmore insist two thugs were trying to kill him although Shirley feels it was due to breakup with Micki or emotional problems. Rockmore was known for living larger than life in a continual state of quite dramatic crisis. Regardless, he has left New Orleans and claims he will never return. He & Micki have ended relationship and he quickly finds a new girlfriend Janice. He says he will be painting Marcel Marceau and realizes now that he must have a major Gallery in NYC as he relationship with Bryant Galleries deteriorates. He hopes to be included in National Academy Show.

1974-10-19 Letter to Mr. Messer (Guggenheim Museum Director) from Shirley - Shirley contacts a family friend who is the Director of the Guggenheim Museum to plead Rockmore's case. A lifetime of perserverance for an undiscovered master.

1974(November)-1975(March) - (9) Letters to Shirley from Rockmore(NYC) - Pursuing a Big NYC Show and volatile relationship with Janice & Bryant Galleries - A winter made memorable by meeting his son Chris for first time in over a decade and the relationship with Janice who was equally as volatile and promiscuous as Rockmore. Rockmore sues Bryant Galleries and ends up with The Homage to the French Quarter again. He has a retrospective at The Lakeview Arts Center in Peoria Illinois that includes a 40 page catalog. He attempts to get into the National Academy and is rejected. He wants to be included in Whitney Annual as well as any NYC Gallery and asks Shirley for help. Returns to New Orleans briefly and ends relationship with Janice.

1975 July & August - (2) Letters to Shirley (BRLA) from Rockmore (NYC) - New girlfriend Andrea & Forum Gallery Show - Rockmore finally gets a break with a Forum Gallery Show in NYC as well as Homage to French Quarter is selected for National Academy Annual Show. Starts a new relationship with Andrea Lannin that will continue for two years.

1978-6-14 Letter to Shirley(BRLA) from Rockmore (835 Bourbon, NOLA) - Very significant letter where Rockmore is splitting with girlfriend Andrea & his dog Miro and realizing the big mistake of giving up NYC apartment for short money. Also, Rockmore indicates he has 10 more years to make it big and expresses contempt for Neiman's print success.

1978 October-December -(5) Letters between Shirley (BRLA) & Rockmore (NYC & NOLA) - Rockmore returns to NOLA and has a new resolve to do well. He is single on New Years eve and working on large Homages & The Jonestown Triangle as well as his screen prints. Shirley detects his frustration and builds him up in her letter.

1979 July & August - (2) Letters beween Rockmore(NOLA) & Shirley(BRLA) - Rockmore announces he is moving in with new girl, Rita, who will be his longest girlfriend. Shirley shares her feelings about Mexican Art show at Guggenheim and who she thinks are great artist.

1980-3-22 Letter to Rockmore (NOLA) from Shirley(BRLA) - Lecture from Shirley on taking care of himself after hospital ordeal.

1981 (3) Letters to Shirley(BRLA) From Rockmore(NOLA) - Rockmore goes through giving up drinking with Rita helping to also giving up commission work although he does do the Homage to the Jazzfest for George Wein. He is now with Sandra Zahn Oreck Gallery and has his first show.