COS COB and the Polish Connection....

Towards the end of February, I received a phone call from a pretty, charming, energetic, open-minded, strong-willed, kind and caring, empiricist Polish lady, whom I had met while plein-airing at Lands End last summer. One might say, that's quite a generous characterization of her but that is my honest appraisal. Well, she had admitted, rather dismally, if there is any shortcoming, ... her artistic side is, at the moment, in the silent mode. How can that be when she grew up, centuries later, of course, just about 30 miles away from where the great Frederic Chopin was born. That neighborhood has got to be artistic may seem to be my logical conclusion, but nonetheless, one might argue,  it's 'non sequitur.'

She stopped by, at the time, to say Hi, either that , 

or she's just tired pedaling her

bike uphill. 

We chatted for about half an hour

and teasingly expressed her desire to buy

the painting, assuming it's reasonably

within her reach, as we bade goodbye.

I'm sure a lot of artists experience 

this random farewell, meant to encourage, act 

from a lot of people.

The painting lit with white light

Anyway, her phone call, after many months

of no contact,

except the occasional

email greetings,

led us to meet at

Lands End under mauvish light

the scene of the crime...

LANDS END....

for tea and a wonderful

get-to-know conversation ensued.

In our conversation, I unwittingly,

divulged my Cos Cob project.

Childe Hassam painted this side of the house

So now, I've started to stretch a few linen

canvases to create paintings of the

Cos Cob landscapes

which the American impressionists

This angle was painted by Childe Hassam

had done a century ago.

This project tells of the physical

changes that had taken place 

in Cos Cob over those

years, whether, 

View from the balcony of Bush Holley Museum.
There was no freeway then...now it's blocking the view of
the Mianus river

nature or mankind driven.

It's seems like a tall order...

but i love the challenges

even though it will

take years to complete.

The project came about when I had a chance

to visit the Bush-Holley boarding house

Bush Holley Museum

now turned into a museum,

a few years ago, while it was undergoing renovation.

repair in progress

I was given a tour of the house, which served

as the lodging for the impressionist

painters. Their unfinished paintings are

still sitting at the easels and the

long dining table is set with dishes and

utensils as if dinner will be served soon.

It gave me the goose bumps.

I swear i could feel the impressionist artists 

were gathered around after

dinner  enjoying one for the road, laughter

and art conversations, 

I had privy to their bedrooms and the

living room with the fireplace.

An explosive glow of art light just dawned on me,

weeks after the museum tour, to continue

the tradition of painting the landscapes

which they so admired, so I

took pictures around Cos Cob.

edge of pond

But I also intend to go back for an

actual plein-air just as soon as I can afford

the cross country journey with my trusty, rusty

vintage car.

Might I do a kick-starter for

this project? It is a humble idea....it did
work for a few creative people I've known...
Who knows....I might just do that
to expedite matters.

In the meantime, I'll have to proceed

with the use of the photos I've taken 

as references for the artworks.

yacht club and railroad in the background

I'll post updates and works in progress for those

who may have the interest to see how things are going.

Oh, I would need real great source of inspiration for this project !

Wish it for me.

that's all folks!

jt