Description

The scene is a Long Island north shore harbor in Northport, New York.

Northport is one of those unique villages on Long Island that gleams of quaintness. The main village street leads directly down to the harbor park, where people gather and sit on waterfront benches, and boats come and go. The town's buildings are something out of a Norman Rockwell painting and buried in the street, in some parts, are old rails of the long-gone trolly car that once transported people to and fro the village.

Dad loved to paint marine scenes. His collection includes many works worldwide with boats and ships, especially of New York City and Long Island's beautiful north shore harbors.

He had a special love for marine vessels of all kinds because, as he put it, "They are alive with a character of their own - telling stories of where they have been and all they have been through."

As the harbor boats were safely secure on this stormy summer morning, Dad was 67 years old, and I had just moved out to Long Island from Queens. He stood there on the beach with his easel, unmoved by the lingering raindrops of the passing clouds. The sky is angry, and you can feel the tension and mist in the air in Dad's lively brush strokes.

On this very Northport Morning, I was there with him, watching, waiting, and admiring my artist-father who, by this time, had painted for so many years, arriving to this day after a very long life's journey that was still very much unfolding. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes