Harkness Tower in Moonlight
by RC DeWinter
Title
Harkness Tower in Moonlight
Artist
RC DeWinter
Medium
Painting - Digital Oils-paintography-photopainting
Description
Copyright 2014 RC deWinter ~ All Rights Reserved
So there I was on a Sunday, enjoying a leisurely late lunch at an outdoor cafe in New Haven, when who should come strolling along but Edward. He was encumbered by a large flat leather shoulder bag that must have been uncomfortable to carry in the city heat. I waved and he came over.
"What a lovely surprise," I said. "Whatever are you doing here on a weekend? I would think you'd be enjoying the sea breezes at the Cape instead of slogging through humid New Haven."
He grimaced slightly. "May I sit?"
"Please," I said, pulling out a chair.
Edward divested himself of the bag and settled into the chair. Waving at a passing waiter, he asked for a lemonade. Leaning in so as not to have to speak too loudly, he said, "I haven't been feeling all that well. Came down for tests."
I didn't like the sound of that. Raising my eyebrows, I was about to speak when he waved contemptuously and continued, "Nothing wrong with me other than the inevitable decay of age. Fussy stomach, perhaps a touch of spastic colon. Have to watch what I eat. Probably shouldn't have this lemonade" - at which point he raised the glass as if toasting an invisible host - "but down the hatch." He drained half the glass and leaning back in the chair, asked what I was doing in New Haven on a hot summer Sunday.
"Visiting a friend," I said. "She's not as fortunate as you, she needed surgery. Thought I'd put on my Little Miss Sunshine costume and come cheer her up."
Edward almost laughed. "Did you succeed?"
"Of course," I snorted. "I should have gone on the stage instead of getting bogged down in the solitary swamp of art and words."
"Ah, but you did," Edward reminded me. "Your music, the singing. And yet you walked away."
"It was the business, not the doing of it," I answered. "Water under the bridge - another life. And speaking of, what have you been up to other than wrestling with your insides since that cold night we last met down on State Street?"
"The usual," he replied. "Sketching, painting. Walking along the shore in the evenings. Jo drags me here and there when she can catch me - barbecues and whatnot." He grinned almost diabolically. "Now that my digestive system has officially been declared a disaster area, perhaps I can beg off from the infernal picnics and clambakes."
"Good luck with that," I scoffed. "And besides, it's good business to get out and socialize, especially with the likes of who summers on the Cape."
"I suppose," he grunted. "We are going to Vermont shortly. I need a change of scene, fresh eyes."
I was a bit surprised to hear that he and Jo would be leaving the shore in summer and said so.
"We'll be staying along the White River," Edward answered. "It will be good to gaze upon a different type of water for awhile. And back to February" - referring once again to our last meeting - "after the painting of Crown and State I did another. I happen to have it here, because I promised one of the guards at the museum I'd show it to him before anyone else, but he doesn't need to know about you."
I knew he was referring to the Yale Art Gallery, and I'm sure I must have goggled, for Edward did laugh now.
"After I left you that night I was strolling past the museum and thought, 'I want to see the street lit up by the moon from up high through one of those old Gothic windows'," he explained. "Of course the museum was locked up at that hour, but," and here he tried to look modest, "being me does have its privileges. One phone call by the guard and he was given permission to escort me upstairs. I found the perfect window, the one that looks down toward Harkness, and made sketches and notes."
I shook my head at the thought of Edward cajoling his way into the art gallery on a whim after midnight and grinned. "You bet I want to see it," I said. "And I want to take a picture of it too. It's not every day a girl gets to see an original Hopper ahead of a night watchman."
"A guard, not a watchman," Edward corrected me. "Don't be so Victorian," he added with mock sternness.
I waved a hand languidly. "Whatever, Edward, let's see it."
He was already pulling the painting out of the bag, and soon had it propped against the back outer wall of the cafe.
"It looks like France!" I exclaimed. "However did you get grimy old New Haven to look so charming?"
"Must have been the moonlight," Edward smiled. "I take it you approve."
Making a face, I retorted, "Who wouldn't? Let me take some photos."
"Hurry then," Edward said, "I want to get over to the museum and be on my way home before too long. You know Sunday evening traffic."
"I do know Sunday evening traffic," I said as I quickly snapped a couple of shots, "and it's getting on now, which I why I am going to head out myself. Always a treat to see you, have a nice visit with the guard."
And with that I left Edward rewrapping the painting at the cafe table and went off to make my own drive home. Here is that painting of New Haven in the moonlight that he shared with me that afternoon.
~ copyright 2014 RC deWinter
This painting has been FEATURED in too many groups to list. Thanks to the group hosts for their encouragement and support.
window, gothic, new haven, street, connecticut, yale, harkness tower, harkness, street scene, mullions, architecture, downtown, night, moon, landscape, moonlight, full moon, city, winter, view, historic buildings, historic, landmark, rc dewinter, dewinter
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June 26th, 2014
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Viewed 1,293 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/29/2024 at 9:22 AM
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Comments (44)
Maria Hunt
At last!!! I found this. It is hauntingly beautiful, Gina. Every time I see your name, I always think of this It was the first time I recall digitally-enhanced work exceeding the beauty of those of oil painters. Beautiful work, Gina
RC DeWinter replied:
Oh never, Maria, but I try. I would paint in oils if my eyes worked with my hand, but alas...thank you so much.
Betsy Zimmerli
Thanks for sharing Edward's painting. It's unique and very pleasing. Enjoyed your narrative, this AM. Edward's last name? f/l
RC DeWinter replied:
Oh, it's Hopper...LOL...I have an ongoing friendship with many dead artists, Betsy. Thanks much. :-)
Maria Coulson
CONGRATULATIONS!! Your artwork has been Featured in the “Balconies, Windows and Doors Group” Thank you for sharing it!
Maria Hunt
So Love this work, Gina. It touches the soul. Like wishing on the moon in a setting that sooths and protects. F/L