SAM FANS

The soul and inspiration of the artist has been an enigmatic issue throughout mankind’s existence. Sam Francis was clearly the most lyrical and accessible of the postwar explosion of artists and his art enabled an average person to stop and ponder the essence of Abstract Expressionism.

Kristine McKenna has done a magnificent job of opening up and peering inside Francis’ psyche (“The Lion’s Last Roar,” May 28). Interviewing so many non-artists was an exquisite way to show the many sides of such an important contributor to art history. MICHELE Z. MOSHER

Norwalk

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I read the article about the life of Sam Francis with great interest, as I feel I was a part of the beginning of his great career.

In the spring of 1945, I was a Navy WAVE stationed in San Francisco. One day, I visited my cousin Vera Mae Miller, and she asked me to accompany her to visit her boyfriend, who was hospitalized with spinal tuberculosis and lying flat on his back. His name was Sam Francis, whom she later married.

As I had majored in art, he became very interested and asked many questions. I remember explaining to him the “principle of perspective” and the “vanishing point.” He then asked if we would bring art pencils and drawing materials to him on our next visit, which we did. His successful career had begun!

EVELYN MILLER LOKKINS

Granada Hills