Kazlov, 1984-1985

Brian Kazlov was a young painter originally from the Midwest who moved between New York City and the Pacific Northwest, all the while making new works. Kazlov was an abstract painter and showcased his works at various galleries in both New York and Oregon. Eventually, he settled down into a home on the Oregon coast in a small community north of Florence, Oregon. During his time at his coastal home, he worked on his paintings alongside his wife, and fellow artist, Luthera (Lu) Stone-Kazlov who worked in a collage-weaving style. While on a trip to Bali in 1992 to investigate buying property, Kazlov was out swimming with a friend when a sudden and powerful undertow pulled him under and drowned him. A letter from Eyerly details the small ceremony that was held in Bali where his body was cremated after his death. Eyerly’s papers focus equally upon the life, death, and legacy of Kazlov, with many pieces of correspondence between Eyerly and Luthera Kazlov. Also contained are a series of photographs from an exhibition of Kazlov’s works from 1992, likely from a posthumous retrospective arranged by Eyerly. There are also several pieces of correspondence involving Trudi Kazlov, the mother of Brian Kazlov, writing to Eyerly for information about her son.