THE BRIDGE First I see the painting in Antiquarium on the square where local and regional art is abundantly displayed for pleasure and for purchase. Stroked in cerulean, a bridge, the painting’s central, solitary motif, is bracketed by dense, dark foliage from which rises a singular stark, |
Visiting the artist’s studio to peruse his extensive œuvre with eyes toward a future exhibition, for a second time I encounter “The Bridge”, reclaimed by the painter and waiting to find a new home. Again I’m drawn into the painting’s mysterious atmosphere—calm and a little threatening, too.
“I like this,” I tell the artist. “I like this very much.” I do, for the painting stirs and beckons something deep inside me—suggesting a journey I want to take to a place I’ve never been and certainly want to see.
I want time to consider purchasing “The Bridge” and say this, hoping another patron doesn’t intervene and claim “The Bridge” I’m hankering to have. Maybe I’ll get lucky. Hope so.
Some days later when the artist presents “The Bridge” to me as a gift, while I recover from his generous surprise, I hear him say, “The Bridge is yours because I like a painting going to a patron who really connects. Bridges have inference.” I am delighted.
Today in my kitchen’s breakfast nook, while my cottage gardens are blooming brilliantly just outside, with great frequency I ponder my exquisite view of “The Bridge” hanging above my rustic pedestaled table where I take my meals. What expanse is this bridge crossing? What roads have led to here? Where will they travel tomorrow? What are the inferences to be discovered, explored, relished and understood? I shall see. I shall see, for now this bridge belongs to me—spanning before to after, suspended over the in-between—pleasing me immensely.
As the Buddhists say, “Breathe out yesterday. Breathe in tomorrow. Cherish today.”
I’m breathing with pleasure, knowing another bridge is on artCentral’s near horizon. You can already see the “Rail Bridge” on the postcard and the posters announcing Arkansan Doug Randall’s “Mindscapes” Exhibition opening at Hyde House on Friday, September 9th. This beautiful collection of Doug’s newly created oil paintings, on view September 9-25, is sure to please all of us. I’ll give you this tease and tell you more as the Exhibit draws closer.
For now enjoy the anticipation as we cross over these final days of summer—our bridge to artCentral’s spectacular autumn exhibition season, stroked in the Maple Leaf colors we all yearn to see.