Description

This unique spot is near the Water's Edge Restaurant in Long Island City, Queens, NY. Directly across the East River is the United Nations building and to its right the Chrysler building.

The restaurant was to our right, located on a dead-end street facing the New York skyline. I set up Dad's easel as far forward as we could go. A tall chain-link fence formed a barrier between the street and the river. Dad painted from behind that fence; the visual obstruction didn't bother him. He was Superman, had X-Ray Vision, and could see through everything when working. ⚡

For years, we spent days together discovering and rediscovering places to paint throughout the NY metro area and Long Island - and that journey continued in 2008 after Mom passed.

Dad was almost 86 now. He had a slow progression of dementia. His short-term memory varied, but his creative thirst was Unstoppable. He always had a uniquely pure and optimistic perspective of life and beauty. It was powerful and straightforward, and no disease of the mind, or seemingly anything else, could stop that built-in wisdom. It was God-given magic, and it fueled his art.

Like so many times in the past, this was another lovely moment - him painting, me watching. Some patrons and staff of the restaurant stopped by to be a part of it, which excited Dad. The manager even brought out a few drinks and a small dessert with compliments. He called Dad "Maestro," and it fit him perfectly. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes