Portrait of Bob Dylan by Faradi McFree
A flat Renaldo hat or a harmonica below the chin are keys to recognizing a Dylan portrait by Faradi McFree.
"The Zimmie Fence" 1982 by Faridi McFree. Two
pieces of corrugated cardboard Faridi used to message Bob Dylan. The Zimmie Fence measures 16″ x 32″
and is backed with a piece of gift wrapping paper. In Supermind Aliens, a script Faridi
created for television, one character is named Zimmie the Zipper ( Bob Zimmerman Dylan). The “Zipper” refers to the character being cloistered
or “zipped up” from the outside world. A third piece of cardboard covered
with hearts carries the message, “Baby, Crawl in My Window".
Faridi McFree was born Frieda Asmar
on March 8, 1936 in Hillside, New Jersey. She married Michael Hanft in 1961 and
the two purchased a home in Bearsville, New York, a rural suburb of Woodstock.
The couple maintained an apartment in New York City as both worked for the
William Morris Agency. As a hobby in the 1960s, Faridi refurbished old barns –
including the now famous Midnight Ramble barn belonging to Levon Helm. While
living in Bearsville, Faridi was also friends with Paul Butterfield, Libby
Titus, and Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman. In 1972, the Hanfts moved to
Santa Barbara, California. Michael began work for Merv Griffin and the Mike
Douglas Show while Faridi was swept up by the blossoming New Age and
Transcendental movements. At the time, their next-door neighbor was Jonathan
Taplan, producer of the film The Last Waltz. In 1975, at Taplin’s wedding,
Faridi met Bob Dylan. Shortly thereafter, Faridi began working for the Dylans
as nanny for their children. Among her duties was teaching art to the Dylan
children. In 1977, after Bob Dylan divorced his wife, Sara, and Faridi and
Michael separated, Faridi moved in with Bob on his farm in Minnesota. The love
affair ended later that same year. Faridi spent the next few years in
California, promoting her *Healing Art while working for Herman Rush, CEO of
Columbia Pictures Television. Faridi then moved to New York City where she
worked for Deloitte, Haskins & Sells at One World Trade Center. In 1982,
Doubleday published her book, Celebrate You, featuring Faridi’s artwork,
affirmations, and healing techniques. In 1983, Faridi became an Interfaith
Minister. She worked with the underprivileged, the terminally ill, and children
from broken homes. In 1987, William Morrow published her book, Peace on Earth
Begins With You. After a short illness, Faridi McFree passed away on August 25,
2009.
*In his 2001 book, Down the Highway: The Life and Times of Bob Dylan, author Howard Sounes writes, “Faridi had invented a concept called Healing Art.”
*In his 2001 book, Down the Highway: The Life and Times of Bob Dylan, author Howard Sounes writes, “Faridi had invented a concept called Healing Art.”
" Love is Healing " by Faridi McFree
by Faridi McFree, 1976
Thank you to my sources
As their affair came to an end, Faridi created these two portraits. At the time the affair began, Faridi had separated from her husband of sixteen years. The love she felt for Dylan may have helped her through the difficult separation and ultimate divorce. The “Love is Healing” affirmation peppers many of Faridi’s works.
by Faridi McFree, 1976
" Faridi created many trivial pieces of art for her own amusement.
Here, someone, perhaps Faridi, poses a question to Bob Dylan."
Thank you to my sources
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