Lester O. Schwarz: In His Own Words

Wisconsin-based Ripon College's artist-in-residence Lester O. Schwartz and his incredible and incredibly varied output are limned in this visual treat that features the 83-year-old commenting on his life and career, coupled with exhibits of his paintings and kinetic, fanciful sculptures (many of which are sited at his farm, Gloria Hills). Schwartz fondly recalls his pre-WWII Paris days rubbing shoulders with the likes of Picasso (they met in a “class-A brothel”) and soaking up the artsy ambience in the capitol for expatriate artistes. Making his career sound like a fun excursion (the only sad bits are related to his wife's death), Schwartz's reminiscences are refreshingly absent of the usual carping over the torture of artistic creation. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Tribby)