These pen and ink drawings were taken from the artist’s 1972 book, Ann Arbor Now and Then, subtitled A book of personal drawings by Milt Kemnitz, who was a local Ann Arbor artist of some repute. When we lived there, his drawings would frequently appear in print. Typically, adoring a bank calendar or the like, but often enough that he was well known. His attention to detail and his choice of local subject matter were hallmarks of his work. We both lived near Barton Pond, with our property and Kemnitz’s sharing back property lines, making him our next-door neighbor. My parents had acquired a signed copy of his book.

It was in the summer of ’72 that I met Kemnitz. Anne and I were high school sweethearts, and we were both planning on attending Michigan State in the fall. My mom was angling for a free artwork from Kemnitz, when she sent us across the backyard to pay him a visit. He received us in his studio and was captivated by Anne. Everyone always likes her better, probably because she is so likeable. Anyway, he was especially impressed with her and the fact that she had won a full ride to school, by way of her academic achievement. He was so impressed that he gifted her with one of his signed and numbered drawings. One that was all about Michigan State and still adorns our living room. Returning home, my mom felt chagrined that he had gifted Anne, instead of her, but I think that she had overplayed her hand, and the cagy artist had outfoxed her.