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
