This watercolor was recreated for the group show “Seen Scenes” at CREATE council on the Arts, Catskill, NY. The OG painting was created in 1999, a year after I had graduated from RISD, on the heels of moving to BK and starting my new life.
At night I worked at an Irish Pub called St. Dymphna’s on St. Marks & Avenue A at night. My days were spent either working for a painter on Canal Street & B’way, a photographer in SOHO, or a rock n roll jeweler on Avenue A. I lived in a loft above a woodshop in Greenpoint, NY with two friends from High School, over looking the East River. It was a very special moment in my life. I do not exaggerate when I say our view for fireworks were next level.
Coincidentally, I find myself at a similar crossroads, having just completed my Masters in Science from Pratt Institute, becoming a Creative Arts Therapist. Here I am again, gazing into the unknown and reflecting on my past accomplishments.
Recreating the marks of this painting for the ”Seen Scenes” show, circa ’98, put into perspective all the different steps I've taken to come to where I am now. With each brush stroke I was ushered into days long past.
One of the most striking elements of this painting—and my work in general—is the authenticity of the marks I make. Each mark captures the present moment and my unique technique. I used to overlook how special these marks are, not realizing that only I could make them. This could be a metaphor for our lives: the small, often unnoticed steps we take add up to something unique, special, and priceless. Hindsight is always 20/20.
