Three figures, executed in charcoal by Jacob Vaughan of Leonard Vaughan, his father by Donald Mason
Leonard as a small boy on the London streets. West London, near Fulham I think. The year, I suppose, about 1910. Something almost crumpled about the boy. Edmund, his father, having left Saint-Just some years beforehand; Alicia, his mother, leaving him suddenly beside the iron railing. A sudden awareness of the warming wetness of the rain. His mother lingering darkly, a confusing sadness and courage in her eyes, and bending fervently to kiss him. And then, suddenly, gone . . . having loosened his hand in the crowd.
Leonard at the N.—establishment, having learned by now to fend for himself. Nothing from his mother. West London still, a printer’s boy in the old shed out back, standing there at the press, turning out crude drawings and stories, apprenticed to N.—, a pornographic hack and forger.
Leonard at Saint-Just, having found his father’s house at last. A crude, uglier version of the earlier Edmund. A curious declivity about the mouth. No news of his father. His mother long dead on the London streets. The house had long been boarded up when Leonard had first arrived. The year was 1926.
Donald Mason has published translations in Brick, Alchemy, and The Antigonish Review. He is currently working on a proposed collection of translated stories by Isabelle Eberhardt, entitled Daughters of the Casbah.
Illustration by Lakshmy Mathur S.
Lakshmy is from an Indian state called Kerala, which is known for its greenery and beauty. She started using colors at a young age. At first her motive was to win competitions as a child. Then it grew with her as a passion.
Lakshmy pursued a degree in Costume Design and Fashion, which helped to nurture her illustration skills. She started her career as an Art Instructor. Now she is working as a Freelance Illustrator.
To see Lakshmy’s portfolio, please visit: lakshmymathur.wixsite.com/portfolio and her Facebook page where she posts art videos – facebook.com/supersimpledrawings and check out – www.instagram.com/lakshmycreations
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