When the Red Barron (Manfred von Richthofen) parked his Triplane and picked up brushes he chose the simple stage name Richter to embark upon a duplicitous career as both realist and abstract painter. Long since discovered, he is now accepted as a major icon in the world of Doppelgangers.

Flying under the radar for several decades and adopting the simple ploy of employing my optional middle initial H, I’ve also managed to maintain a similar duality almost entirely undetected. That is until a week ago.  An abstract painting, returned from an Albright-Knox Museum traveling show was hung anonymously in an upscale New York gallery. It was noticed by an astute gallery go-er and subsequently identified as the work of John H Howard aka John Howard. My cover blown, I’m attempting a pre-emptive strike against the scandal and offering a full disclosure.  The painting can be seen during the duration of the Samuels/Brovelli/Glabicki show at Kim Foster 529 W 20 after which its future and my dual identity remain uncertain, in limbo.