I never looked for them. They just happened. I am not going to scout Merida, Mexico for that someone special. It's like hanging out in bars waiting for love. I was in NYC when Nobody went there, except for work or because they knew that's where their kind of action was: art, intellectual equals, gays finding freedom from abuse. The '50's, '60's, '70's, even the '80's, even the '90's!: NYC was considered dirty dangerous pointless. After the WW2, all the cities were neglected by the ordinary people who just wanted peace, a house with a yard and a car or 2. NYC was so cheap, anyone, even a drag queen could find a place to live (rats, roaches, but freedom!) I was ordinary, compared, but these characters who found something in me that was just fine. I have the mentality of an artist, just not the talent. And, I was lucky; there was no competition. If you were in NYC, you HAD to be somewhat special. Off off Broadway Theater, one would see the actors from a previous play in the audience of the next play...a small world. One could walk into any gallery opening for what are now VERY famous artists. I met Andy Warhol several times. Now, NYC is overrun by everyone. Every event has "a list" to keep "the peasants" out. There ARE "creative geniuses" in other places when they burn out on NYC. One who is not dead...he's only 45...now, lives in a Pa. town that was coal mining. He and his husband, a neurological surgeon, bought 2 houses side by side for $119K . He does his art and art collecting away from the hustle bustle. On goggle map I can see that he painted both houses with chickens and flowers...and inside also. he owns almost every famous artist 3! de koonings....