Description

A signed limited print may be available of this piece! (click here)

This watercolor painting is of the 59th Street, Queensboro Bridge in New York City as viewed from Queens, New York.

In 1964, Dad was 42 years old. Just eight years prior, our family arrived in America. A few years later, in 1968, we moved from our old uptown Manhattan apartment to our own home in Astoria, Queens - just across the river - but today, we were still in that tiny apartment, and I was five years old.

Besides being an artist, Dad was an explorer. He searched for and discovered what he created, but I never knew exactly how he did it.

The Maps
After Dad passed away in 2019, I discovered a large pack of maps in his library as I went through his belongings. I found subway maps, street maps, big maps, small maps, world maps, and maps in different languages. About 30 maps were neatly stacked into a strong plastic envelope that was an old empty Goya rice bag, cleaned and slit open so that it could hold items larger than itself. Held together with a large rubber band, they smelled musty and looked old and outdated. I thumbed through them, noticing circles and marks on some. Finally, I thought to myself - This is how he did it. It wasn't random; it was all planned. For a moment, I closed my eyes and imagined Dad planning his day like some Indiana Jones character - maps spread out with a giant magnifying glass in hand - but for him, his hidden treasure was A View - a perfectly golden view to paint.

On this day, Dad had a plan, and he discovered this marvelous view in Queens, New York.

The city skyline is hinted at in the distance as a red tug boat passes on the East River. The Queensboro Bridge - the main character - stands tall and perfect against robust, puffy clouds.

My Indiana-Jones-Dad searched for, found, and brought home this hidden golden treasure! ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes