The Gossips br stand proudly br on their shelf above the kitchen - br a singular reminder br of Gus McLaren - br friend, cartoonist, animator br and potter extraordinaire. br br I remember br pouring Gus br into his battered Combi, br after many a Sixties party - br when the claret br came in flagons br and cigarette smoking br was still sexy. br br Gus was an artist. br Everything he touched br drew the eye. br A leftie and a larrikin, br he threw pots with ease br and a precision that amazed. br br Gus never stood upright. br He leaned. br He was loose-limbed and affable. br His long hair hung limply, br His head listed to one side. br br Mum didn't really approve of Gus, br but she liked him, I know. br She used to boast br how Gus told her once br that David and I were br 'the best brought up kids in Warrandyte'. br br I think she agreed with him. br br Gus loved chess. br In his cups, br he could take an hour br to make a single move. br And he usually won. br br His pottery was original and quirky. br Each piece held a fragment br of his cartoonist past. br br He died last year. br I heard he had dementia. br Apparently the family are still fighting br over the will.