| NIKOS BEL-JON - HIS LIFE AND ART |
The Bel-Jon’s first lived on Clayton Street and later bought a large house
on Belvedere Street in 1953. The house had a downstairs apartment and
Troy’s parents Margaret and Frederick Broeketter moved in to help Troy
with the family. Nikos and Fred Brokoetter developed a close
relationship. Fred had had a metal working shop in St. Louis and admired
his son in law's new techniques. Fred often helped in the studio.
Nikos spent long hours in his Maiden Lane studio and would return to
Belvedere Street late at night. He heavily relied on Troy for his home and
business alike and was a demanding force. He often had troubles with his
stomach and would become extraordinarily nervous during the
presentation phase of the commission process. He was eager to please and
lay the foundation for what he hoped would be a continued relationship
with the corporate giants he worked with. It was not unusual for him to
deliver a mural superior to that promised or to give a small mural as a
thank you for a special commission in the hopes that the effort would
result in more murals.
Nikos’ old friend Tryphon Nichols had married his sister Vasso and they
too were near with their children Christina and Christopher. (Vasso was
lucky not to be a widow as one of Bel-Jon’s practical jokes had gone awry
on her wedding night causing Tryphon to have a serious asthma attack.)
Bel-Jon’s brother Achilleas would later join the family on Belvedere Street
and Troy’s brother Al’s family even moved to San Francisco. The Bel-Jons
were supported by a wide circle of loving family and friends in the Bay area.
on Belvedere Street in 1953. The house had a downstairs apartment and
Troy’s parents Margaret and Frederick Broeketter moved in to help Troy
with the family. Nikos and Fred Brokoetter developed a close
relationship. Fred had had a metal working shop in St. Louis and admired
his son in law's new techniques. Fred often helped in the studio.
Nikos spent long hours in his Maiden Lane studio and would return to
Belvedere Street late at night. He heavily relied on Troy for his home and
business alike and was a demanding force. He often had troubles with his
stomach and would become extraordinarily nervous during the
presentation phase of the commission process. He was eager to please and
lay the foundation for what he hoped would be a continued relationship
with the corporate giants he worked with. It was not unusual for him to
deliver a mural superior to that promised or to give a small mural as a
thank you for a special commission in the hopes that the effort would
result in more murals.
Nikos’ old friend Tryphon Nichols had married his sister Vasso and they
too were near with their children Christina and Christopher. (Vasso was
lucky not to be a widow as one of Bel-Jon’s practical jokes had gone awry
on her wedding night causing Tryphon to have a serious asthma attack.)
Bel-Jon’s brother Achilleas would later join the family on Belvedere Street
and Troy’s brother Al’s family even moved to San Francisco. The Bel-Jons
were supported by a wide circle of loving family and friends in the Bay area.
