Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Return of the Fisherman

Back in March, I blogged about a painting my charmer had bought for me that I dubbed The Fisherman. I mentioned in the post that artist Hazel Carter had painted it in the 1970s according to information on the back. Lo and behold, thanks to the internet Hazel came across my post on The Fisherman! She emailed me telling me how happy she was that the painting had found a good home and how nice it was to see the "Old Man" again since she hadn't seen him since 1975. Well, I knew what I wanted to do next.


Yesterday, Denise and I along with her parents had a nice drive up to Harrington, Maine, where we were graciously received by the artist at her Blue Heron Art Gallery. Hazel's talent since The Fisherman has grown to celestial heights with her beautiful watercolors. Hazel was so touched by the return of the Fisherman, she generously offered us any painting from her collection and we chose a stunning silohouetted scene of a couple of moored boats in Jonesport.

Hazel is full of life and just a wonderful person to talk to. If you ever find yourself in Downeast Maine looking for a painting and a great conversation, drop by the Blue Heron Art Gallery. You'll have a magical time. I know we did.

27 comments:

Chris said...

What a marvelous story. Maine's so full of talented artists, it's sometimes shocking.

One of the highlights of the year for Kat and I is Portland's Sidewalk Art Festival, in which Portland's main street (Congress) is closed for fifteen or so blocks, and artists are invited to set up booths to show and sell their wares.

We never fail to find something unique and striking enough we have to take it home, and getting to talk to the artist about the piece is just the icing on the cake.

Naomi Johnson said...

How cool! Some lovely work hanging there behind you.

Hazel Carter said...

Thank you for the wonderful compliments; it was me that was blessed with you and your Denise gracious visit. It is beautiful people like you and your wife that makes life so special. I will never forget yesterday as long as I live and thank you again; well I can never thank you enough.

Unknown said...

Great story. I love the Internet!

David Cranmer said...

Chris, We have been so taken with all the used book stores, art galleries, antiques etc. And watching artists at work in a live setting is inspiring.

Naomi, Her artwork contains many vibrant colors. I would recommend checking out her website.

Hazel, It was just one of those miraculous moments that comes so rarely in life. Once again, thank you.

Bill, You and me both.

Reb said...

How wonderful! She has some lovely work there and on her website.

Deka Black said...

Maine seems to be a place where the visitor cand find places like no others in your country. And seems to have places with a lot of green.

David Barber said...

Now that's a story that makes my Sunday. The fact that she found about her paiting and then got in touch. Great. And great of you to take the old dude back to show her. Well done, sir.

Alan Griffiths said...

That's a lovely story David and not Pulp Fiction!

And, by reading her comments, I think you made her a very happy (and talented) lady. Well done to you sir.

Kind regards.

Oscar Case said...

Great post, David. I wish I'd gone on into Maine when I had the chance. A ship I was on used to travel up the Piscataqua River on occasion to pick up cable, but I went to Boston instead of Maine and Kittery was right there. A thing passed up is a thing lost forever.

Leah J. Utas said...

How wonderful.

pattinase (abbott) said...

What a story. Thanks for sharing it.

Chris said...

Great story. It's cool to see someone make a little extra effort on behalf of someone else, and stranger at that; but obviously a stranger no longer. Cheers all around!

David Cranmer said...

Reb, I could have packed up the entire gallery. Beautiful art.

Deka, One of the finest states.

Thanks, David.

Alan, Gotta take a pulp break now and again.

Oscar, Sounds like you have a few stories to tell as well.

Leah, It was a marvelous moment.

Patti, De nada.

Chris, Well said, sir.

Ron Scheer said...

What can I say. You're a cool guy. Makes me want to hunt down every artist I have something of.

Used to go to the Venice Art Walk here in LA. Spending a day wondering from one studio to the next, you just get a contact high from the artists. They're from such different planets, it reminds you that the everyday world is so confining.

Charles Gramlich said...

how cool. Too often we never get to press flesh with those whose work touches us and those who our work touches. Excellent.

Chris Rhatigan said...

That's a really cool story. It's great to hook up with other like-minded, generous artists in other mediums.

Jodi MacArthur said...

How amazing is it that the artist had a shop only a few hours away? The picture is so striking. What talent and skill. I'm checking out her website. Thanks for sharing, David.

Jodi MacArthur said...

Just coming back to say her recent water paintings are absolutely beautiful-those flower blooms...

Laurie Powers said...

A great story. It's always magical when you can meet the artist behind the work, and it doesn't happen that often.

David Cranmer said...

Ron, Contact high is it. Such vivacious individuals. Makes you wonder how folks can spend their whole lives sitting in front of a boob tube.

Charles, I regret spending a whole year in Louisiana and missing The Sage of Abita Springs.

Jodi, I think the flower blooms are exceptionally effervescent.

Laurie, Once or twice at best.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

What a fun excursion! And how neat to trade out paintings. :)

David Cranmer said...

One of the great moments for me.

Sarah Laurence said...

What a lovely story! I'm sure she was as thrilled as you were. Nice to see work by another Maine watercolor artist too.

David Cranmer said...

Sarah, I've really come to enjoy watercolors. I used to see them as a bit subdued but Hazel's work has a reach out and grab you vibrancy.

And I just found out the return of the painting to Hazel made the East Coastal newspaper. Very, very cool.

Travis Erwin said...

This is the kind of story that makes the internet so magical.

David Cranmer said...

Amen, Travis.