In about 15 minutes, I walked from the hotel Bohemia down the cobblestoned streets to Honza's studio at Stepanska Street. It was in the basement of an 18-century yellow building. The studio's doors were open, but no one responded to my greeting. The corner had a mattress and I felt my back shiver. The death of artist Jana Stroumanova is alleged to be related to Honza.
His art became more evident to me as I observed it. The majority of the paintings are large oils, with some watercolors. Mostly lifestyle-related romantic images in surrealistic or expressionistic styles. The colors are very warm and vibrant. Artists' work is judged on two levels. A buyer's first reaction to the art is to like it. Honza's art reaches this point. The front side of one painting leaned against the wall.
I became intrigued and turned it around. Wow! It was Honza, painted by Jana Stroumanova in an abstract nude style. An imposing determined figure sitting on a divan held a big green pear between his legs. There is a resemblance to a plus. An 1847 painting by Francois-Leon-Benouville, The Wrath of Achilles. A Czech language notice was also attached. It looked like a police report, with a separate sign that says, "Sold for $50,000.00".
I felt goosebumps all over my body as I froze. An elder man was holding a German Shepherd named Jax that was barking fiercely at me. With a command, he calmed the dog. Jax walked over to the mattress and lay down. "I am Honza's dad, and I knew you would come". We introduced ourselves. Most Czechs can speak English. I heard a sexy man's voice calling "Jax...Jax" from the hallway. Honza was entering the studio. "Change of plans Lucienne", he said to me, "Our friends' gallery Villa Pelle is holding an important art vernissage". As a result, we went. We rode a red-painted street car. Honza spoke: "I told to my attorney you wanted to discuss Jana's murder. In his response, he stated that the questions should relate to my art and not to Jana's death". I said to Honza: “Ok, let's see the art first”. I think Honza is the perfect art sitter, especially for the women’s groups and the type with a lot of other potential for me to explore…