Save Barney's Home and Art Career

Hi I'm Barney an artist in Florids and all I have to offer is a rose and a star. I'm the grandnephew and namesake of the original silent movie star for whom the Hollywood Legend, "A STAR IS BORN," was based.

Alec Baldwin describes my granduncle, Bernard Durning, in "WILD BILL: HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK" (1995).

The Rose is my portrait of Princess Diana as "The Rose of England," which Prince Charles (now King) much admired as I mailed him a photo of it in 2002 and got a letter from his Secretary, Claudia Holloway.

I also painted the rock star, Twinkle Schascle Yochim, who gave me practical advice on caring for my mother for twenty-five years perfectly and lovingly.

Twinkle's mother Karen Yochim, said I should write a book, so that's what I've been doing.

I was a waiter for thirty years in Florida while caring for my mother, Vera Dillon Durning, whose BFF, Pat Skakel Cuff, is Ethel Kennedy's sister.

My sister Jody wrote, "You never left your post," after our mother left us in 2008.

My Uncle Hank Durning, who won an Emmy Award as Editor if Channel 4 in Boston, referred to me as "The Good Son."

Well, me and my mother's condo apartment just got a Special Assessment to repair the roof etc., which I'm unable to afford.

Not to mention the water main leaks so I have to buy water which diminishes my Foodstamps.

Also the air conditioner konked out right before Hurricane Ian a year ago so this summer without AC was very hot, but I got a radiant heater in winter.

So, with a little help from my friends, I'll get by and even get a website for my art. Also I'm a writer and I was a pizza delivery driver up until a few years ago. So I wrote this new book on my grandfather, Harry M. Durning, who was.born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and became the Collector of the Port of New York in the Roosevelt and Truman Administrations. In 1937 he hired Reginald Marsh to paint the greatest mural of the New Deal in the Custom House on Bowling Green. This building is in "GHOSTBUSTERS 2" covered in pink slime. It now the American Indian Museum of the Smithsonian.

So, this book completes my "TIMES SQUARE ROOTS" trilogy, so now I can write modern tales and paint modern art.

So, if you can help me keep my condo and knowledge of 40 years I'll be able to produce some worthwhile and enlightening books and artwork. These could benefit everyone by providing a unique experience.

And can I sing! Well I'll leave singing to Twinkle Schascle Yochim and Champion Henry Lawrence, who has three Superbowl rings. Henry and Twinkle's duet of "STAND BY ME" is one of the best.

Thank You.

Sincerely, The Artist Known as Barney.