Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Oh, boy. It’s cold  here. The temperature is now 20 degrees, but it feels like 4 degrees. It will be the same tomorrow when the snow arrives. Right now, it looks like we’ll get anywhere from 2 – 6 inches. Here’s hoping it’s on the low end. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to watching snow fall during the day tomorrow. It’s been a while. Just not too much, please.

Kathy mentioned yesterday that she’d love to see some of the artwork we have on our walls, sparked by yesterday’s photo which showed something on the wall by the front door. I’d love to share that with you. We have a lot of it, comprising vintage, new, photos, watercolors, my dad’s oil paintings, signs…you name it.

The piece that Kathy spied yesterday is a vintage calendar print (we think) of a Norman Rockwell painting. The print itself is quite old; we can tell by the frame and the backing. I’d say 30s or 40s. This is the original frame. We found it several years ago when we were renting in Westchester County. I can’t remember whether we found it there or in the Berkshires. Something tells me it was the Berkshires.

It’s called “It’s Your Move.”

It shows a group of circus performers gathered together backstage playing a game of checkers. It’s so vivid, with each person beautifully painted and realized. As in all Norman Rockwell paintings, a moment in time is evoked by body position, facial expression, clothing, and subject matter. He was so good at that. There’s a clown, a ringmaster, an animal tamer, a female performer, and a performing dog, with a ruff around his neck. You can see part of the circus tent in the background. I love the details: the animal trainer is sitting on a bucket, the clown is sitting on a wooden box with the number 5 painted on the side – maybe it’s used in performances. The ringmaster’s top hat is on the floor and he’s smoking a stogie, completely engrossed in the game. Love the mustache on the animal trainer and the adorable and tired mutt, resting between performances. And the lovely young girl, maybe she rides bare back on the performing horses? She’s seen the men playing and is now watching the game. The clown is a little cocky, knowing that he’s got the upper hand.

As longtime performers in the theater, we are very familiar with the ongoing activities/games that sometimes occur backstage while awaiting entrances. This reminds us of them.

I just love this piece. It’s one of our favorites.

I also love the green mat and the old off-white frame. I have a few pieces that are framed in off-white – almost cream colored – frames, and I love them. We always assumed this came from a calendar, but it might be a print someone purchased. I don’t want to take off the backing or disturb it, so we’re content to not know for sure.

It’s a little gem and one we treasure.

Happy Friday.