Freud presents painting of queen

Freud presentspainting of queen
LONDON -- Queen Elizabeth II has a new portrait of herself, an uncompromising work in oils featuring the characteristic broad brushstrokes of Lucian Freud.
Freud, grandson of the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund, prides himself on the realism of his works.
So the monarch appears sporting the subdued look she can sometimes be seen wearing in public, and her hair is plain and unadorned.
Famously media-shy, Freud made little fuss Thursday in presenting the small painting to the Royal Collection, home of the monarch's artworks.
The queen made no public comment, but Sir Hugh Roberts, director of the collection, said it was "a wonderful addition to the series of royal portraits in the Royal Collection."
Roberts said the work will be displayed in Buckingham Palace's Queen's Gallery, which has been extended and refurbished for next year's 50th anniversary of Elizabeth's accession to the throne.
Thornton, Jolieto make their gifts
In case you were wondering, Billy Bob Thornton says he and wife Angelina Jolie are making Christmas gifts for each other this year.
"We decided to give each other one thing apiece. And that's something that we'll make," Thornton said. "If you knew anything about how little we know how to make, it's pretty hilarious. Like she tried to knit a scarf, and she said it was a real disaster."
Thornton wouldn't say what he's making for her.
"I think she'll like what I'm going to give her. I'm just making her a little thing. I mean it's very simple. It's not weird or particularly interesting, but to her, it will be."
Bush, Giulianion 'Intriguing' list
In a year of terrorism and war, President Bush and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani are among People magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People of 2001."
Released Thursday, the list includes "The Firefighter," representing all firefighters for heroism Sept. 11 and afterward. "Our firefighters helped save more than 25,000 lives that day -- the greatest single rescue mission in America's history," Giuliani said. "They knew what they were up against, but they went in anyway. That's what heroes do."
The most-intriguing list also names Nicole Kidman, Mariah Carey and the "Friends" cast, and political figures Gary Condit and Condoleezza Rice. Harry Potter is there, even though he's fictional. So is "The Corrections" author Jonathan Franzen, who created fictional characters, but rejected being included in Oprah Winfrey's book club.
Graham to returnafter 31 years
DALLAS -- The Rev. Billy Graham will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the first time in 31 years with a crusade at the invitation of north Texas pastors and others.
Scheduled for Oct. 17-20, 2002, the event will take place at Texas Stadium in Irving, which opened with a Graham crusade in 1971.
"The Metroplex has grown and changed so much since we were last there in 1971, that I believe the time is right to conduct another evangelistic emphasis there to reach a new generation, and indeed many new Texans, with the gospel message," Graham said in a prepared statement.
Graham turned 83 last month and has been in frail health for several years with Parkinson's disease and other problems.
The Rev. Ronald W. Scates, pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, was part of an interdenominational committee of pastors and laypeople who invited Graham to speak.
"I speak as one who was a product of a Billy Graham crusade," Scates told The Dallas Morning News in Thursday's editions. "I was 10 when I became a Christian at a crusade in Washington, D.C. And now I'm a pastor, and he's really my father in the faith."
Today's birthdays
Photographer Yousuf Karsh is 93. Actor James Gregory is 90. Actor Gerald S. O'Loughlin is 80. Actor Ronnie Schell is 70. Emperor Akihito of Japan is 68. Actor Frederic Forrest is 65. Actor James Stacy is 65. Rhythm-and-blues singer Eugene Record (The Chi-Lites) is 61. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer is 58. Singer-musician Adrian Belew is 52. Actress Susan Lucci is 52. Rock musician Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) is 43. Singer Terry Weeks is 38. Rock singer Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) is 37. Actor Corey Haim is 30. Rock musician Jamie Murphy (Space) is 26. Actress Estella Warren ("Planet of the Apes") is 23.