As most of you must know by now, Houseplant Picture Studio has many friends
in lofty media positions. In fact our "lofty friends network" runs to the very highest
levels of modern entertainment...including major players in the music industry,
television news, big newspaper syndicates and a few bowling leagues.
One such friend (who shall remain nameless, but who's nonetheless a hugely
popular and very influential figure in modern mega-entertainment circles)
was kind enough to bring several of us HPS staff members into the steamy
and exotic inner sanctum of the undisputed Queen of Comedy...Phyllis Diller.
It so happens that Phyllis Diller is not only one heck of a funny person,
but she's also quite skilled in the visual arts (AKA drawing and painting)
To make a long story short, Phyllis Diller and her pals were throwing a groovy,
happening "Phyllis Diller art party" the other day (at her pad) and HPS
was invited to dig the far-out pastel and watercolor scene-ography
up close and in the first person.
Needless to say, we were totally excited and honored to be able to enter
and spend time within the comfy domain of one of entertainment's
greatest cultural icons...and we were also keen to look at all of her art
(which was hanging all over every inch of every wall of her house)
and we were even keener to buy some of her art to have as ours.
What follows is just a tiny, fleeting glimpse into Phyllis Diller's
surroundings and hopefully it will give you a slightly better grasp
of her accomplishments as a visual artist and as a real person.
And if you feel like buying some Phyllis Diller art, drop us a line at HPS
and we'll connect you to the right people...to some of our friends.
- BENBENEK
Upon entering Phyllis Diller's home we saw dozens and dozens of flowers in the lounge.
Phyllis Diller's home is filled with hundreds of personal photos...photos of family and friends
A large portrait of entertainer Bob Hope is displayed by a window in the living room.
It's most likely the best portrait of Bob Hope we've ever seen...and the largest, too!
On a wall in the den there are many photos of Phyllis Diller with notable, famous celebrities
...with Bob and Delores Hope
...with comedian Danny Thomas
...on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson
...with Lucile Ball
...with President Lyndon Johnson
with comedian Milton Berle
...with comedian Jack Benny
There are a few bathrooms in Ms. Diller's house. This particular one is painted in vivid stripes
These are heavy drapes covering up a shower area in the same bathroom
We found a couple of towels hanging in another bathroom
A brightly decorated breakfast table near the kitchen
The house contains many books on many bookshelves
For some reason, one bookshelf contains multiple copies of Woody Allen's "Without Feathers"
This is the back porch area...almost has the feel of a greenhouse or quasi-arboretum
A photo of Phyllis Diller on an entertainment center (near some VHS tapes)
A bound script from the old TV show "This Is Your Life"
Staircase leading down to card room - note the kitty litter box in the corner. We didn't see the cat.
Card table - there are decks of cards all over the house.
Phyllis Diller's art room, where she does her drawing and painting
Near the art room is Phyllis Diller's wig room.
Phyllis Diller owns many wigs.
One of the many costumes hanging in the wig room.
Phyllis Diller's movie set chair in the wig room.
Fellow "art party attendees" visit the wig room and commemorate the event by taking photos...
An art party attendee poses in front of the Phyllis Diller movie set chair in the wig room.
Some of Phyllis Diller's comedy CDs - in her den
A clown painting in a back room - not painted by Phyllis Diller
Detail of a huge Phyllis Diller photo-portrait in the den
Phyllis Diller gets ready to sign the back of one of the drawings we purchased
We spotted this little note in the den - had to take a photo of it
PHOTOS BY BENBENEK - AUGUST 28, 2005 - LOS ANGELES - USA
