I seldom try to make a portrait from behind my subject. But since this portrait was to be a study in light and shadow anyway, I thought such abstraction appropriate. The owner of our motel had invited me behind the counter to photograph a fancy piece of furniture in his office. Once in the office, I noticed lettering from the window casting its shadow on the huge painting that dominated the scene. His face was also in the shadows, his body rimmed in light. He appears in profile, almost as a sculptured bust carved in dark stone – which is appropriate since he surrounds himself with abundant decorative art in his small office. His motel rooms were laden with decorative art as well, all in a heavily romantic Mediterranean motif. Since we stayed in so many sterile motel rooms on this particular trip, his kind of unique hospitality proved to be a fascinating change of pace for us. This image of him is my favorite memory of the place.