Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I was amazed at all the comments on yesterday’s post. Truly amazed. At one point, I sat Don down and read many of them to him out loud. When we were in the car, I read some more. (He was a captive audience.)
You brought tears to my eyes, you wonderful people. Yes, you did.
Thank you. If I needed some sort of jump start to get me going, I couldn’t have prescribed a better way to do it. I didn’t expect this outpouring, but I surely, surely appreciate it.
And by the way, don’t spend one minute worrying or feeling guilty about not commenting. That’s not why I wrote that. It’s simply a change that’s happening across the board – to all bloggers. I, myself? I’ve been a terrible commenter or lack-of-commenter. It’s something I’m working on, but I have a long way to go. No guilt, okay? Comment if you have time or are moved to, but only then. I just love knowing you’re out there reading the posts.
On to another thing.
Don had been asking me for the last two days if I wanted to go back to Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck, if you remember, is the town across the river that we visited recently. Well, it’s been unbelievably cold here, with wind chills taking the temperature well below zero – and I mean well below zero – so I politely declined.
He kept bringing it up. Finally, he said “I think we should go get that Maxfield Parrish print you love.”
What??
He’d been thinking about it ever since we saw it.
So, yesterday afternoon amidst frigid temperatures, we set off on our journey and arrived here.
The Antique Market at the Beekman Arms, which is a very, very old inn in the middle of downtown Rhinebeck. Actually, it’s America’s oldest continually operated inn. We’re talking beautiful, old and historic. The Antique Market is behind the Inn.
After looking at the print, then looking at another Maxfield Parrish print (which was more expensive) and almost choosing the other one, then asking some questions which a kind woman working at the desk relayed via the phone to the seller, we went for it. The seller, by the way, collects Maxfield Parrish and now I want to see his home. He doesn’t know me, but that doesn’t matter. I need to see his collection.
As always in this little cottage, the windows and light (even on this dreary day) make taking a photo of a framed object under glass difficult. So I moved it to the bookshelf to show you.
It’s called Pierrot’s Serenade. I usually go for the deep, luminous blues that Parrish is known for, but this particular print won my heart. The golden hues are incredible. The light in the print is the kind of light that happens in what filmmakers and photographers call the golden hour – that time shortly after sunrise or right before the sunset. Parrish’s illustrations are full of that kind of light. The hues are intensely saturated.
He did illustrations for books, magazines, and advertisements and was one of the leading figures of the Golden Age of Illustration, which included our other favorite artist, Norman Rockwell, who named Parrish as his ‘idol.’ To learn more about him, visit his Wikipedia page where you’ll see my all-time favorite illustration The Lantern Bearers.
Someday. Someday.
We’re not sure where to put it. Right now, it’s hanging over the music cabinet in the den, directly in front of me. But we’re not sure if that’s where it will stay. I will say that I sure like having it in my sightline as I sit here and blog.
I’ve wanted one of these original prints for years. Years and years and years.
I’d better stop or you’ll think I’m even older than I am.
I’m thrilled to have it. We were talking about Rockwell and Parrish on the way home and decided there is something in both men’s work, though they have very different styles, that is heightened, idealized, the kind of world you want to see every day, all the time. The kind of world you long for and need, especially in these troubled times. I think that’s why we’re so drawn to them.
Excuse me. I must gaze upon my Parrish.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Friday.
Waiting and waiting for something sure makes it all the sweeter when we get it.
I agree, Cindy!
That’s a pretty good husband you’ve got there, Claudia! While admiring your lovely Parrish I was intrigued by your book collection, but I couldn’t make out the titles. Will you share them with this off-and-on commenter?
At some point I will, Marianne. Too many to share today!
Good morning Claudia, your painting is beautiful.I have always liked Norman Rockwell. I have a copy of Andrew Wyeth the master bedroom. My dogs have all slept on my bed like that and the memories are sweet. I will look into Parrish now. Doris
Oh, I love Wyeth too, Doris. Beautiful work.
Claudia, Thank you for the link to M. Parrish’s wikipedia page. What an interesting, and hard-working, artist! I can’t believe all of the different techniques that he used in a painting. No wonder his paintings look like photos. I bet that he used his creativity when working with machines,too. That was a very enjoyable read -thank you~
You are most welcome. He was a fascinating man and so talented!
Sorry I don’t comment but I do look forward to reading your posts! I live in Poughkeepsie so it’s great to see the local pictures you put up. I love Rhinebeck! Especially the Sinterklaaus Festival in the winter..
I’ve never been to the Sinterklaaus Festival, Damara! I will have to remedy that.
First of all, I’m so happy that yesterday’s response was uplifting to you. I read most of the comments also and found them wonderful! Second, that Don! Girl you just got such a great and generous man when you found him (and he found you). What an amazing print. It feels like you and Don to me. I love art that uplifts and makes me ‘feel’ something. Enjoy your print and stay warm.
Big Hugs to you all,
Linda
I will do my best to stay warm, although we have to go out and shovel about an inch of snow later. Too little for the snow blower! Don is the best and I am very lucky!
Don’t you just love it when your husband really “gets you” and understands what makes you happy and why. It’s a gift to have a husband like that Claudia! The painting is beautiful with the golden light around it. Oh my. I love black and white photos where a portion of a face is in shadow, others might see the photo as flawed but I find them beautiful. I know you’ll find just the right spot for your new treasure. Congratulations on another great find for your beautiful home.
I love black and white photos, too, Janie. I love looking at them.
Very nice! Don’s definitely a keeper! !
He sure is!
Isn’t it wonderful when art can move you like that? What a thoughtful hubby…course we all knew that already! Enjoy and stay warm! ;)
I’ve always been moved by Parrish’s work – for some reason, it really speaks to me. Trying to stay warm, Donnamae, but we have a bit of shoveling to do!
Wow! and the bookshelves behind it are looking lovely too.
Thank you, Laura! I sure love those bookshelves.
Love that you are so enjoying the painting. You know what else I see in that painting? How great it is that Don cared so much that you wanted that painting and acted on it to please you. You two are good to each other and that’s special . Enjoy your art work.
He’s a very special man and I am thankful every day for his presence in my life, Sue.
Good job Don..I have always loved Pierrot’s images..What a find..I have the perfect place for it..I don’t even have to think about it!! Enjoy Claudia
Thank you, Missy!
What a great husband! But you already knew that!! I’m glad you read our comments to Don. By the way, I checked your blog twice this morning before your new post went up and I said to myself: “I guess Claudia took it to heart that we would understand if she did not post every day!” I’m glad I was wrong!!!
I HAVE decided to take pics to send to you of our funky patio that my darling made and I’m so proud of him for and our funkier fence….and most definitely a flattering one of Miss Bella! I’ll work toward sending pics of my two dollhouses which look pathetic in furnishings next to yours! But they were made by loving family hands! I’ll even try and email some pics of our home some times!! That way you can know more about your as yet unseen friends!
Hugs,
Patricia
Oh good, Patricia! I’m looking forward to the photos! Thanks so much.
Seems to me you’ve got a pretty captive audience right here. :) Glad Don could talk you into taking that ride and that you were treated to a lovely piece of art that speaks to you. I know you will find the perfect spot for it. Best wishes, Tammy
Captive audience here and at home – the best of both worlds, Tammy!
Claudia, Mr. Parrish sure made a lot of art. I looked on line and I actually saw your print. So nice. I think fairy/fantasy land when I see those types of work. What an amazing artist. Glad you and Don had a great day together. It’s too cold here to go out. Stay safe and warm. xoxo,Susie
We just came in from shoveling about an inch and a half of snow. Wind chill below zero. Yikes! I’m in for the rest of the day, Susie.
Happy New Year, Claudia and Don! Just wanted to chime in and jump on your Parrish bandwagon. He’s one of my favorites, as well. MANY years ago when I was in High School, I had an art teacher who adored him , and he made sure that we all came to appreciate his work. He truly is the most masterful painter of light I’ve ever known. I was fortunate to stumble upon a small and beautifully preserved framed original print of ‘Daybreak’ many years ago at an estate sale, and it is a prized possession. Glad you got your Pierrot…kudos to Don!
Daybreak is so beautiful, Lori – maybe his most famous work? Lucky you! So glad to know you are a fellow Parrish lover. You are so right about his mastery of light – it’s truly incredible! xo
The adventures you and Don have! You both need to write a book about all of your adventures.
I searched out Parish and I see why you like him. I think I agree with you: The Lantern Bearers is amazing! I love to feel like I am apart of a painting, being sucked into it. I felt that with The Lantern Bearers and that was on the internet! I would love to see it in person.
Stay warm, if it is possible! We are under winter advisory and wind chill warnings. It was said to be -35 yesterday. I stayed in and crocheted.!
Hugs to you all, including Dame Scout :)
Deb
Cold, cold, cold here! We went out to shovel a bit – too little snow for the snowblower – and the wind was brutal!
Lovely! The gold/yellow just glows. I was so hoping you would go back.
It’s odd, but every time I think about something that I think is a “meant to be” in your home/dollhouse, it appears. I think I am going to focus my newly-found mental powers (ha ha) on lots of nice things!
Oh good! Focus on more Maxfield Parrish finds, please!! xoxo
What a nice loving surprise! The colors remind me of some of the works of Klimt that I like, but so much more ethereal since the colors are a result of the sun. Wyeth and Rockwell are among my favorites too, but I confess to loving the Impressionists the most.
I love Klimt, too!
“Don had been asking me for the last two days if I wanted to go back to Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck, if you remember, is the town across the river that we visited recently. Well, it’s been unbelievably cold here, with wind chills taking the temperature well below zero – and I mean well below zero – so I politely declined.
He kept bringing it up. Finally, he said “I think we should go get that Maxfield Parrish print you love.””
Do you hear that sound? That’s the sound of women all over the world, sighing collectively upon reading Don’s comment.
So romantic!
He’s pretty gosh darned romantic, Nancy!
I love his work! This print is perfect for MBHC, and will look wonderful no matter where you hang it. I just adore how cozy your cottage is … a perfect cocoon on this cold day you’re having.
It is! Thank you so much, Debbie!
How thrilling to finally get the print you wanted. All the sweeter for the waiting I guess! X
I think so!
I’m not familiar with the name Parrish, but checked out the website and recognize his work. What a handsome guy he was! I love Norman Rockwell and for the reasons you and Don talked about, though I had never put it into words. Enjoy your lovely print!
Thank you, Karen. I’m really loving it.
Love your new acquisition! His paintings are amazing to me – the way he uses light is just amazing. It’s really cold here too – down in the single digits. Don deserves a pat on the back for remembering you loved that painting. Enjoy!
Judy
Your Parrish print is a beauty…I can see why you wanted it, Claudia! It really is unlike most of his prints!
I didn’t comment yesterday but wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog. A couple of months ago I got a new laptop and decided to make some computer habit changes along with the computer switch out. I went from reading a very many blogs to just a few very favorite. Yours was included in the new favorite list. I really enjoy reading about your adventures out and about. My youngest daughter is in a local acting theatre and so am always interested in your theatre work. You have a lovely creative home and as an animal lover and owner it is always nice to read about an elderly dog who still has such a zest for life! Thanks for your writing.
What could be more fun than looking for art in Rhinebeck. Love that quaint village. Don has to be special to suggest taking you to find your treasure. Love your picture and will look up some of your favorite books. I went to see some Impressionist paintings on loan from the Musee d’ Orsay at the Kimball museum (in Ft. Worth) on a gloomy day. It really brightened my mood. I imagine getting to buy an art treasure would really be quite fun! Love your blog.