Description

It was late February 2008, and a slushy winter storm had just hit New York City the day before. It had been only a few months since Mom passed away, and Dad moved in with us on Long Island.

He was eager to occupy his grieving mind with work. At 85 years of age, he still reminisced about painting in Central Park, and I was ready to help him in any way I could. Nevertheless, I never thought he would want to go out to paint on a cold, snowy day. After all, he was 85 now and hadn't done that in years.

But Dad never let his age interfere with his creativity. He was always determined, and so we bundled up and drove into the city that day, parked in the Metropolitan Museum garage, and trekked down to find this perfect spot.

I quickly set up his easel, clearing a spot on the sidewalk of the wet snow with my boots, and he was ready to go.

It didn't take him long (about an hour) to get down the basis of this work. I remember snapping a photo of the view so he could finish it later at home.

I have a deep emotional bond with this painting, not only for its beautiful memories but also because it has so much life and movement - and again, Dad was 85 when he created it.

You can almost feel the slush beneath Dad's feet as the carriage horses proudly gallop by, accompanied by a few passersby, certainly amazed at what Dad was doing, as was I.

It was a powerful moment in time for an artist who had been working unceasingly for about 80 years.

And we were there on that slushy snowy day, together on The Carriage Path. 💖

Through My Father's Eyes