by Alan Linnemeyer

My memories of Guy Maccoy are vivid and indelibly etched into my mind. As a young boy age eight my mother Yvonne Linnemeyer introduced me to Guy. My very first recollections at that early age where solely based on my child's mind, but even with that there was a presence and a humanity which I recognized but couldn't express or fully understand. Shortly thereafter I began to assist Guy in the smaller of two of his Canoga Park, CA studios. At first I was just observing and in awe of the man and his artistic process, the patience and knowledge with which it was offered sticks with me today.

Guy Maccoy had for lack of better more descriptive words an aura about him. This energy was all about him, in his eyes, posture, actions in his spoken and unspoken words. But it was never overtly offered or forced, it flowed from a most humane and natural area deep within him. People of all types and backgrounds gravitated towards and around him as if he was a planet with a huge mass that smaller objects were helpless to not be pulled to. Again this attraction was never used in a way of manipulating power, but always allowed people to express their thoughts and ideas free from the criticisms and judgments which so often surround an artist and his attractors or detractors. Guy was the singular most powerful human being I've ever come across in all my years and most likely ever will. I can speculate where this power came from but it doesn't matter. His magnetism was obvious to all whom entered into his presence.

My time spent in his presence in both of his San Fernando Valley studios were extremely profound experiences. It started out with me being driven into the studios by my mother and later with me driving myself. I had the strength and stamina of youth to run several hundred serigraphs through the printing process in the heat or cold and then tear down, wash out and clean the screens. These color "set ups" I would "run" up to three to four times daily. This left the screens and print stations ready for Guy to come in later and begin the process of stencil design, paint mixing, proofing, screen clean up and area prep readying them again for me to come back in later or the next day. It's difficult for me to explain the treat of watching a blank sheet of Arches 100% rag paper transform into a limited edition fine Art Serigraph right before my eyes over the many weeks of runs. Watching as the colors popped, muted, popped again, finishing detail, blacks and line added over and over sometimes totaling over 140 color runs or more 100% by hand. Each layer of Nazdar ink laying on top of the other with the mastery of mind, hand and eye, with a logic and order with which only Guy and later Yvonne fully commanded and understood. I was the technician entrusted with controlling the elements that I could watch and control. Needless to say the process was incredibly labor intensive without machines or photo stencils.

I loved Guy like the second father figure he was. I believe in my heart that he loved me as the son he never had. This bond forged an immense interest in each other's actions. Guy loved to come by the house and go sailing with me at the helm or simply just watch a young boy growing into young manhood at play and work. I likewise felt safe from criticisms and was always empowered with an overwhelming confidence, as if any natural thought or action was the proper one if one was being true to themselves and to others around them.

Guy's gifts of kindness, respect and gentle persuasion were the cornerstone of his life, art and teachings, the adulation and love which his students, fellow artists, colleagues, friends and acquaintances felt for him embraced Guy right up to the moment which he left this mortal coil succumbing to A.L.S. in 1981. He is greatly missed by all whom remember him but the Art World and Earth are vastly richer for having had him among us.

Enjoy Art & Best Regards,
Alan A. Linnemeyer

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