Beat Generation Gallery

DRIP PORTRAIT
San Francisco 1965

Poet and Zen Master, Philip Whalen emerged from his closet with a drip painted portrait of him by Michael McClure. It looks just like him. While I spent the day with him at his apartment, I was struck by the depth of his inner peace. I was so impressed by him and sad that he could not attend the Last Gathering session at City Lights Books. During that session I elbowed into the photographers on my right so I could move over a little get his book behind the window in that photograph. I wanted him to be there.

PHILIP WHALEN DOING CALLIGRAPHY
San Francisco 1965

Poet and Zen master Philip Whalen is shown here practicing his calligraphy at home. He hand lettered the covers of his books of poetry.

THE ARCHERY LESSON
San Francisco 1965

When I saw Philip Whalen cutting his orange in half, I immediately thought of the Zen parable of the Archery Lesson. I guess, it was the way the knife melted into the orange. It was like they were fulfilling their destiny together. It was so smooth.

HANGING OUT AT WHALEN'S
San Francisco 1965

Poetry groupie Theresé was the girlfriend of a fellow Beat photographer, Dale Smith. Of all the poets we photographed, Philip Whalen was the only one she wanted to meet.