The Human Connection

I want to share a comment I received in an email about one of my paintings.  The little study above, “Rain on Broadway”, was one of many paintings featured in a silent auction to benefit the Saratoga Preservation Society in Saratoga Springs the other night.  All of my paintings sold but this one sold during a preview showing and was not available during the auction.  When I got home I received a lovely email from the owner of the store that is featured in this painting. Here are a couple of lines from her email:

this is my corner, this is my store, this is a piece of my life. . . this moment you captured just stopped my heart. That quiet rainy evening on the corner where so much of my life has unfolded. If that corner could talk!!

I have to say this is one of the best emails I have ever received about my work.  It is so richly rewarding in so many ways.  And it encapsulates why I love these kind of scenes:  the stories, the history, the human connection.  Needless to say, I hope to create another piece that will touch her in the same way!

Rain On Broadway

Rain on Broadway, 9 x 12, oil on panel

Forgive the bad photo here.  I only have my iPhone and it really does not seem to take decent pictures of artwork for some reason.  It feels a little strange to be painting cold, rainy street scenes when I am sitting in 85 degree heat in the Caribbean!  Unfortunately, my plans to paint some tropical townscapes have been postponed due to a sailing accident.  I missed a step and fractured my foot!  So, no plein air for a while.  It has been 10 days so far and I am able to walk short distances but am otherwise boat bound at the dock.  So, for now I am working from sketches and references I have of both New York and Saratoga.  Some of the Saratoga paintings will be included in my two person show in Albany later in the Spring.  More details to follow. . .