Description

When we first came to America, we settled in a small apartment in Spanish Harlem, in Manhattan, New York City. We lived there from around 1961 to 1968. And thanks to the American Red Cross and the Presbyterian Church of Newark, New Jersey, we had this chance to start a new life in the United States, leaving everything behind, after escaping from Communist Hungary in 1956.

In those early years our family was basically poor, but my parents were determined to rebuild our lives and make something better for us. They wanted to find the American Dream, like so many other immigrants, and they worked super- hard to make that happen.

Back in Hungary, Dad graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest. He remained an artist throughout his life. Mom graduated from university and was a school-teacher in Hungary. But for Mom, teaching in America was an issue because of her lack of English. Instead, she recast herself, learned bookkeeping and became an office worker.

As an artist, Dad loved New York City. He found so much inspiration here—from the busy streets and quiet parks to the flowing waterways and simple park benches. He was always painting or drawing.

In this watercolor, Dad finds simple inspiration in a city street. You can see people bustling around, cars parked along the curbs, and a view straight down the street with colorful buildings on both sides.

It was like he could see and show the soul of the city through his art, and he did that kind of magic throughout his life.

Dad was an expressionist, which means he really put his feelings into what he created, trying to capture more than just what things looked like on the outside - indeed, his aim was always to add what was inside of him as well.

On this day in 1964, Dad walked outside our apartment, setup his easle and found Our Street. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes