posted 03-11-2011 01:39 PM               

The issue that came out this week has an article called "Alan Bean: Painting the Moon from Memory." It's about how a young naval aviator stationed at Pax River in the early 1960s began his artistic career by taking night classes at SMC, joined the astronaut corps, flew to the moon on Apollo 12, and has been able to use his first-hand experiences plus accounts from his fellow astronauts to produce excellent paintings.

I'd like to say how interesting the article is, but I can't since that would be bragging. I wrote it. At the 2008 ASF event I asked a few astronauts whom I knew had been at Pax River about that experience, explaining that I'd gone to a nearby college. Alan Bean asked, "Which college?" and when he heard SMC said, "That's where I started learning about art! Night classes at St. Mary's!" I was astonished to hear this. Really, SMC is smaller than many high schools. I didn't want to monopolize his time then, but later by mail asked if I could interview him for a story in an SMC publication.

It was very gracious of him to agree. We talked for over an hour - I actually had to apologize and say I had to go when my wife and son arrived home. He also offered to check the draft for accuracy.

I'd also like to thank the couple of cS members who are writers who agreed to look it over for me.