My mornings begin at McDonald's
My mornings begin at McDonald's (good, HOT coffee, bottomless cup), the New York Times, + a notepad and pen (for any brilliant ideas that occur to me).
THIS morning was special. For the past two evenings, I have been "working" in the cellar . . . carefully packing a portrait (24" x 36", acrylic on masonite, subtly framed) of Sydney, a 4-year-old from Detroit. The package included two, perfect prints of the original. For starters, I put the above in a large, green plastic bag (yes! a "trash" bag). wrapped this in an old, clean blanket - tied with "legs" from wife's discarded panty hose (incredibly strong, stretchy, TAUT!), then folded cardboard cartons (from McDonald's) over all, making sure the frame was at least 2" INSIDE the "wrappings". These I covered with sturdy brown wrapping paper, affixed with glue and tape. In addition to the address (Sydney's, mine) I "embellished'' the wrappings with "stuff" I saved from incoming mail: "OPEN IMMEDIATELY!" and "YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!" etc. The postal clerk (they know me, think I am nuts) informed me that I could NOT send it unless I put their, offcial WIDE PAPER TAPE over all seams! I was given a roll of tape the size of a hubcap, scissors. and a wet sponge. About 20 minutes later, done and sent.
My other Christmas-due portrait (32" x 48") is of Blake, whose older sister I painted two years ago. This summer, at a party, a woman I did not know, accosted me: "Are YOU The Artist?" I admitted to being AN artist. "WELL! she said, I don't want ANY FLOWERS in my grandSON's portrait!" (Shucks, I was planning to put a bouquet of pink roses and purple pansies in his lap). So! Blake has to be MACHO at five. I considered putting a RIFLE on a coffee table in the foreground. My wife, all ways discreet, discouraged this.)
The portrait is finished, NO FLOWERS, NO rifle. To dispel any doubts about his identity or masculinity, I painted, on the front of his shirt big, block letters:
BLAKE
BLAKE
BLAKE
I think everyone will be pleased. I know that I am.
THIS morning was special. For the past two evenings, I have been "working" in the cellar . . . carefully packing a portrait (24" x 36", acrylic on masonite, subtly framed) of Sydney, a 4-year-old from Detroit. The package included two, perfect prints of the original. For starters, I put the above in a large, green plastic bag (yes! a "trash" bag). wrapped this in an old, clean blanket - tied with "legs" from wife's discarded panty hose (incredibly strong, stretchy, TAUT!), then folded cardboard cartons (from McDonald's) over all, making sure the frame was at least 2" INSIDE the "wrappings". These I covered with sturdy brown wrapping paper, affixed with glue and tape. In addition to the address (Sydney's, mine) I "embellished'' the wrappings with "stuff" I saved from incoming mail: "OPEN IMMEDIATELY!" and "YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!" etc. The postal clerk (they know me, think I am nuts) informed me that I could NOT send it unless I put their, offcial WIDE PAPER TAPE over all seams! I was given a roll of tape the size of a hubcap, scissors. and a wet sponge. About 20 minutes later, done and sent.
My other Christmas-due portrait (32" x 48") is of Blake, whose older sister I painted two years ago. This summer, at a party, a woman I did not know, accosted me: "Are YOU The Artist?" I admitted to being AN artist. "WELL! she said, I don't want ANY FLOWERS in my grandSON's portrait!" (Shucks, I was planning to put a bouquet of pink roses and purple pansies in his lap). So! Blake has to be MACHO at five. I considered putting a RIFLE on a coffee table in the foreground. My wife, all ways discreet, discouraged this.)
The portrait is finished, NO FLOWERS, NO rifle. To dispel any doubts about his identity or masculinity, I painted, on the front of his shirt big, block letters:
BLAKE
BLAKE
BLAKE
I think everyone will be pleased. I know that I am.
posted by Robert at 3:57 PM
1 Comments:
I am the proud owner of Sydney's portrait. She is my adorable granddaughter. The painting shows her sweet innocence and also those big beautiful blue eyes. The first time Sydney saw her portrait, she loved her dress with the big bow and also the kitty cat "Peaches". This painting will be treasured forever. I just want to thank Bob for this MASTERPIECE.
On the other hand---When he wraps the paintings to be shipped---they are wrapped, then wrapped, then wrapped again. The anticipation of getting to the painting is almost unbearable. But, worth the wait. Thank you again for this beautiful and unique work of art.
DiAnne Jed
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