UR TV CAST

It was the first time I realised that what I do can be construed as a rather unpleasant habit. I thought drawing was a bona fide activity and in England people treasure caricatures of themselves – perhaps the ruder the better, because you’ve got to make them laugh. What I didn’t realise is that in different cultures, and Kentucky is a different culture, it’s an insult. They are quite likely to ask you to step outside, and beat the shit out of you.

I started drawing Hunter’s brother and made it darker and darker and more hideous as lines covered lines. Hunter started fidgeting and making lame excuses until he told me I had a nasty habit. What I don’t realise is just how intently I am watching someone, fascinated by a blemish on their nose or the way an eye works. I was 33; most people would be in their stride by then but I wasn’t. But Hunter had been told I could give as good as I got, and I did.
I climbed into his red whale of a car, with two buckets of beer on ice behind the front seats, and went to meet his brother.

So far I had made no sketches, or notes, too intimidated to do either But my head was buzzing with strange impressions I pull back, mentally unwinding a spring. That’s the injustice of being young.For further information about Age Concern, call 0800 00 99 66; or contact Sharon Steele on 01543 504640 or Gabriella Brooks on 0181-679 8000. “DO YOU want to meet an ex-hell’s angel who shaves his head?”

Being in America to look for work, my reply was yes. That’s how I found this buddy, this soul mate, Hunter S Thompson; our assignment was to cover the prestigious Kentucky Derby in Louisville. There was this 6ft 6in guy with a chiselled bone head – it looked like a bullet – set on shoulders that didn’t need any more muscle Hunter could have been an American footballer.