It was called Suzanne. The lyrics spoke directly to me, the last verse repeated itself in my mind over and over. Certainly Leonard Cohen's voice had touched my mind.

Suzanne was the first song that made me aware of the Canadian poet/songwriter Leonard Cohen, but it was not the first song I painted. In fact, I had problems with this painting unlike with others. The final painting is the third version I attempted.

The first Suzanne emerged as Madonna-like and was dismissed. The second Suzanne was decidedly a "Hippie" which was better but still not quite the way I visualized her from the lyrics and the canvas was painted over again. The final interpretation was how I perceived Suzanne, as a modern Quebec woman, a bit punk, hip and spunky. The backdrop is a well known bridge in Montreal.

Seems so Long Ago, Nancy
33" x 33" (85 x 85 cm)
Acrylic on Canvas

Page 12 and 13 from Homage to Leonard Cohen by Elizabeth Laishley.
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