Escher's print "Other World 1947" hanging in his studio.

At one point I extended an offer to stay in Holland and print his prints if he would just pay me minimum wage. He seemed amused and said that little old ladies from the United States would pay their own way and pay him to print his prints just for the opportunity. He told me that only he prints his prints.

The fifteen minutes allotted to me on that Friday afternoon turned into several hours as we discussed techniques, materials, philosophies, etc. I am forever grateful to Escher for his allowing me a portion of his precious time. I was so in awe that I did not think to have him autograph my sketchbook. Why I only took four photographs will forever haunt me.

Back in Amsterdam, I went into a gallery and could have purchased “Day and Night” but once again, I only had my allotted monies for Europe. My hope is that one day I can own an Escher print.

Maurits Cornelius Escher passed away in 1972 less than two years after my visit. My favorite quote of his is “If only you knew what I have seen in the darkness of night”. I might be paraphrasing a bit.

Many people have commented that a number of my prints look like Escher’s. Where I am deeply flattered-my prints are not anything like Escher’s (wish they were) they merely reflect his influence.

I will always cherish my memories of “My Time with Escher!"