While walking down the aisles of the City Flea Market one weekend and surveying the dealers' crowded booths I was stopped dead in my tracks by a painting of a naked woman in a cage. The woman in the painting was surrounded by bones and iron shackles. I stood there entranced for 10 minutes, both repulsed and strangely fascinated. The painting appeared to be the creation of one "Mitchell Bradley" and it was for sale. However, in the end my "better" judgement prevailed and I decided that the subject matter was too over-the-top to purchase the painting. Two weeks later I returned to the Market. Although the nude was nowhere to be found I did encounter 4 or 5 other works (including the above pair), all signed "Mitchell Bradley". When I inquired about the paintings the portly woman at the booth stated that they were done by her son, Mitchell, and that he would return in 15 minutes. I continued to roam the aisles of the Market but I could barely contain my excitement at meeting the artist himself. When I returned to the booth I was met by an affable young man of about 30 who introduced himself as Mitchell Bradley. He explained that he was self-taught and that in-between his part-time construction jobs he often liked to relax by painting. After purchasing the above two works I explained that I would be very interested in seeing more of his artwork next weekend when I would return. (I foolishly passed up purchasing a third painting of a theater marquee reading "M.C. Mitchell Bradley", complete with adulating crowds, stretch limousine, and a rolled out red carpet below). We talked at length about the woman in the cage, Michael Jackson, and rap music before we parted. Alas, I was only able to see Mr. Bradley twice more before the Market closed. Whenever I inquired about his paintings he would only sigh and talk about his busy schedule. A tragic loss for the Art world....

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Gallery II