Three Hands on a Piano / Ellyn in Profile

I had never met Chicago’s legendary Lee Godie, whom some called a bag lady but who proclaimed herself to be a French Impressionist. When at last I spied her at work on that first warm spring day in front of The Art Institute, I was about to meet a number of friends and my husband for lunch and a Wednesday matinee. Of course I had to stop to inquire about a painting first. “Bring me some water,” she commanded, proffering a sardine can and directing me to the Grant Park water fountain across the street. Next, she said she needed brushes, and brusquely directed me to buy them at the student shop only 10 minutes away. My husband was fuming that I kept everyone waiting, but this was an art emergency, after all. Afterwards, Lee and I arranged to meet again at a later date, and we did. -M.F.