I waited seven months for this interview. I am not sure what the numerology for my name is now, because I have lengthened it to Charlotte Patience Tenacious Buchanan Yale. Alexa, Roscoe and I could have connected on a zoom call, but I have always wanted to see “into” these two James Yale paintings in real time, even for a short visit.                             

The day of the interview June 22, waking at 5:30am to a deluge accompanied with thunder and lightning, the road to our destination would be impassable, so Melanie and I canceled this next attempt. Mel and I are close, but neither of us were ready to go into eternity together that morning… 

A month later, on July 22nd, we are warmly greeted by the lovely Alexa Pittenger surrounded by Ozark beauty. The rascally Roscoe Van Jones was off chasing a deal on a motorcycle… hard to argue with that! Alexa and Roscoe are the parents of Kerry Leigh, the subject of the two paintings I wanted to experience. 

Some of my favorite stories are about the models who were James’ inspiration. Plus, I feel that models in general don’t get their due.

While Mel set up, I finally got to get to know Alexa and her origin story a little better that brought her and Roscoe to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. And where our destinies would cross.

When it was time to record this conversation, after all these years, there I was standing in front of the oil paintings titled: Kerry Leigh and Her Dragon and The Angel of Juxtaom. I had only seen reproduction prints. I can not describe the mystery unfolding through my eyes sending signals to my brain that wouldn’t land until I got home after seeing these paintings for the first time. So many questions I wasn’t prepared to formulate.  They are indeed masterpieces of Modern Mythology.

The detail is stunning beyond just seeing and recognizing that James captured two young dragons, Kerry Leigh and her familiar. She has a handsome dragon, perched on her shoulder. The dragon’s tail curls across her shoulder and under her arm. For me to stand before this painting, I am seeing a brighter full moon in real time, and two translucent orbs on each side of her… spirit protectors or guides?  She holds a crystal ball of light as she holds our gaze. Her parents told me that she wanted to have pointy ears in the painting, but did she also request a dragon?

This conversation with The Mother of Dragons is about that precocious young girl growing up in Eureka Springs, Arkansas navigating the arts scene, where one of her stops was at James’ gallery – Juxtaom, next to the Carnegie Library. 

I am always appreciative to all of you who share this adventure with us and help us rediscover the artworks and stories of The Lost Artist of the Ozarks. James Yale continues to touch our lives and expand our community.

— Charlotte Buchanan Yale

Next Week watch for Part Two: The Angel of Juxtaom.