I didn’t collect things when I met him. I remember answering when he asked if would like a painting, by saying I tried living without accumulating stuff. He really wanted me to have something and someday later asked if I had a wallet and I when I replied in the affirmative, he asked would you keep art in your wallet? The question blindsided me. Too ridiculous an ask. I said yes sure. A wallet sized laminated scene of snow falling arrived soon in the mail. I’ve had that teensy scene by Mendelson Joe between my driver’s license and Mastercard ever since.

At a certain point I started noticing musicians becoming corporate sponsors. Prominent displays in the details of liner notes, even bigger font than who played what instrument. So and so only uses such and such drum sticks or guitar strings. It hit me if I was singing about torture and destruction I should have a corporate sponsor. I asked Joe what he thought. Next day, a letter in the mail contained 40 prospective names. That’s how I selected Lake Michigan Soda and him its president, Frank Sweet.

Often, when I went over to his place I would snoop around and ask what he recently painted or wrote. This was in the 90s and he just finished a painting of then Premier Mike Harris. All sorts of destruction was exploding behind him. His hands were both chainsaws and his tie was literally a five dollar bill. Mike smiled widely, confidently, very proud. I told Joe it was awesome. He shrugged, said people don’t buy political art. I bought it. There was a Gurdjieff story where someone was bragging that they took a vow of silence for months. Gurdjieff replied that’s not hard, try saying only what’s necessary. Over time I changed my mind about accumulating stuff or at least about announcing I don’t. Either way, I have six paintings by Joe, and each glows.