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Carmen Cicero

Role: Abstract Impressionist Artist / Building Owner / Cultural Bridge Age: 98 years old Based In: Bowery, NYC (Windsor Hotel Building) / Cape Cod (seasonal) Connection: Building owner and surrogate father figure to Ryan VanGundy

Personal Background​

  • 98-year-old abstract impressionist artist
  • Wife: Mary (75 years old), married for decades
  • Artistic Movement: Part of mid-century abstract impressionist movement
  • Health: Remarkably lucid and active for his age, still actively painting
  • Lifestyle: Spends 7-8 months in NYC, summers in Cape Cod

Artistic Career & Legacy​

  • Historical Significance: Part of abstract impressionist movement in mid-century
  • Evolution: Transitioned from abstract impressionism to figure work and storytelling after a fire in New Jersey
  • Current Work: Still actively painting and selling at 98
  • Recent Sales: Work recently sold for approximately $100,000
  • Style: Creates recognizable character work, including "little trench coat character"
  • Themes: Some controversial subjects, Byzantine art references, NYC street characters

Living Situation​

  • Building Owner: Owns Windsor Hotel building in Bowery, NYC
  • Tenant Relationship: Rents to Ryan VanGundy under NYC "Loft Law" protection
  • Rent: Ryan pays ~$3,500/month split (extremely low for Bowery location)
  • Relationship: Has become like family to Ryan, considers him surrogate son
  • Seasonal Pattern: Cape Cod summers, NYC for 7-8 months

Intellectual & Cultural Habits​

  • News Consumption: Subscribes to 5 newspapers across political spectrum
    • Includes Epoch Times (Chinese-American published, more conservative)
    • Maintains balanced perspective through diverse sources
  • Social Life: Regular dinners with Ryan, stays up until midnight discussing various topics
  • Wine & Conversation: Enjoys champagne/Prosecco while sharing jokes and intellectual discussion

Relationship with Ryan VanGundy​

  • Surrogate Family: Ryan describes them as "my second family"
  • Support System: Told Ryan "we're your parents now" during family difficulties
  • Regular Contact: Phone calls, dinners every couple weeks when in NYC
  • Summer Visits: Ryan visits Cape Cod twice each summer for extended stays
  • Inheritance Expectation: Ryan anticipates potentially inheriting the building

Cape Cod Summer Life​

  • Property: Old railroad house purchased 30 years ago
  • Lifestyle: "Clam chowder and lobster all day"
  • Visitors: Ryan and other friends visit regularly
  • Duration: Full summer season retreat

Art Market Dynamics​

  • Gallery Interest: Subject of increased gallery attention due to age
  • Market Timing: Galleries targeting aging artists for post-death value appreciation
  • Current Value: Work selling for six figures while still living
  • Longevity Surprise: Galleries may have underestimated his remaining productive years

Philosophy & Approach to Life​

  • Money Mindset: Still focused on financial success at 98 - "getting a high score"
  • Balanced Perspective: Maintains intellectual curiosity and diverse information sources
  • Relationship Values: Invests deeply in surrogate family relationships
  • Living Well: Exemplifies "enjoying the fruits of your labor" philosophy
  • Cultural Engagement: Stays current with contemporary issues while maintaining historical perspective

Historical Context​

  • Bowery Transformation: Witnessed and contributed to neighborhood evolution from "shithole" to prime real estate
  • Artist Community: Part of original wave of artists who made Bowery cool
  • Loft Law Beneficiary: Benefits from NYC's artist protection legislation
  • Real Estate Appreciation: Building value increased dramatically due to artist community contributions

Business & Financial​

  • Property Ownership: Valuable Bowery real estate holdings
  • Art Sales: Continuing to generate income from painting sales
  • Legacy Planning: Considering disposition of property and artwork
  • Market Savvy: Understands art market dynamics and timing

Connection to Gary's Network​

  • Venue Access: Through Ryan, provides access to unique NYC artist loft space
  • Cultural Authenticity: Represents genuine NYC artist community connections
  • Historical Perspective: Offers insights into neighborhood and cultural transformation
  • Event Potential: Space and relationship could enable distinctive cultural events

Notes​

Carmen Cicero represents a living connection to NYC's mid-century art movement and the transformation of the Bowery from derelict area to prime cultural real estate. His relationship with Ryan VanGundy provides a unique intergenerational bridge and access to authentic artist community culture.

At 98, he defies typical expectations of aging, maintaining active painting practice, sharp intellectual engagement, and strong social relationships. His combination of artistic legacy, real estate ownership, and surrogate family dynamics creates a distinctive cultural and business opportunity for Gary's network.

The relationship demonstrates the value of investing in authentic cultural connections beyond typical business networking. Carmen's longevity and continued productivity may surprise galleries positioning for post-death value appreciation, providing current opportunities for engagement with a significant living artist.