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My first job, and this really defines me as a Montrealer, was working the cash at Warshaw. That was where I first met Stanley, as a customer there. Memories of that time make me smile now, I was so idyllic, doing Liberal Arts at Dawson, determined to be an anthropologist (which I am not) and just being excited in the sense that my 'real life' was beginning.

Another cashier introduced me to Stanley, and we would chat as he passed by the cash. Once I learnt he was a 'real artist', I think I was sort of smitten with him. Traveller, wise man, philosopher . . . artist. The whole package, the real thing. We talked, or rather, I listened. He was the first person I met who talked and thought ideas out, things I was reading in my class textbooks taken off paper and applied to today, yesterday, throughout human history. Though I can't remember word for word our conversations, I know I learnt from him that beauty isn't beautiful, that art is communication and that humans need to be more forgiving and accepting of ourselves. Look closer. Think. Feel.

I got to see his studio and he gifted me with two prints, Primal Moment and Departure. They are uncannily representative of me, when I really look at them now I am amazed at Stanley's insight. Departure especially, showing a man leaving the city, ill with pollution and smog which we can see hovering in the background . . . blocking out the view of the stars above.

This very spring I left the city for good, and as I was unpacking, to find Departure mirroring my action back at me as I hung it on the wall . . . wow. I know I told Stanley about my growing up in the countryside, weekends and summers spent on my grandparents' forested land just on the other side of the Ontario border, and yes I wore my love of nature on my sleeve , but the gift of that print has been almost prophetic. It makes me so happy to see Departure in my new home. 

"Truly a lady with a beautiful soul" Stanley signed all his gifts to me, and how lucky was I to have had his influence at the right time in my life.

Now when I see a painting and think "A-ha", hear an opera and think "Yes!" and see a sculpture and know I understand - that ability to appreciate art is in part a gift from Stanley too.

The last time I saw Stanley Lewis, it was a summer night and he was standing behind the gates leading to his studio. The street was packed, and I raised my hand to say hi, but he didn't see. He was looking out at the people passing; only I guess he wasn't seeing anyone at all.


Jan Dutkowsky






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"Jeannette helped me find a path and create energy with my material which I first found so difficult to handle. With her help to become interesting and wonderful. She is interesting in class, lively in class, often in communication with students, very popular with students. Jeannette is a very conscientious documentary teacher." TianHui Li,  award winning filmmaker, Beijing Film Academy graduate, Concordia University

"Jeannette taught me the tools I needed, never having made a documentary before. She gave so much time, patience to show me, guide me and share her creativity and skills with me."  Zou Qialing, Master's student, Beijing Film Academy
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