(#78) UNPLEASANT SURPRISES:

Edition of 2642 of which 300 are signed 1-300, 26 are signed A-Z as artist's proofs, and five sets are signed as progressives. One signed dedication copy.

November 7, 1978 Nine colors 15-1/2" x 24"

Client: Tom Schmidt, The Pacific Film Archive, University of California Art Museum, 2625 Durant Avenue, Berkeley CA 94720. Telephone (510) 642-1413 A-Z: Artist's own use

I was born on a farm. We had a cow and chickens and a horse and a dog and a barn cat. My job was to coax eggs out from under the broody hens and bring them into the kitchen. Chickens are not too ight-bray, and they'd wander off and leave their eggs any-old-where, and sometimes you'd discover them a bit late. Consequently, whenever you'd break eggs for eating or cooking you'd crack them one by one into a separate bowl and take a gander at them to make sure that they weren't busy turning into a chicken. Sometimes they'd be rotten, and that's a smell you don't forget. Even though I get my food at the store, I've always been just the littlest bit apprehensive whenever I crack open an egg. Maybe you are, too.