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#327 Title of work: "Starry Night" 1997 Medium: oil on linen Dimensions: (22" x 28") Price: Click Here |
Riverdale Park Series
Painting by Gerald King
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#327 Title of work: "Starry Night" 1997 Medium: oil on linen Dimensions: (22" x 28") Price: Click Here |
As I painted the new train depot, I learned that the railroad was not just a part of the history of our community. It was part of our everyday lives. Everyone in our community is familiar with the rolling freight trains and the sounds of their howling horns and the clanging bills at rail crossings. You get used to it and only feel its absence when you are away from it. Visitors to the area are much more aware of it and may wonder how we cope with such an intrusion. Yet to us, it is like a soft music which lulls us to sleep at night and wakes us in the morning.
But when you are standing for some time near the tracks, as I was while I sketched and drew the depot, you cannot be unaware. The old retired trainmen who are there with their watches to log in all the passing engines seem to live just to watch and listen to this pageant of sites and sounds they bring their grandchildren to teach them about punctuality, power and responsibility "yep, right on time" " She got six engines. Must be going to pick up a lot more then she's carrying now." Must have some problem with the signal, she'll be here soon." From generation to generation the depot has been the school room for many of those who live in the shadow of the railroad. All over the world the same scene is replayed over and over, and we can be assured that we are not alone.
One night I visited the depot and pondered the Hale Bobb comet poised in the north west sky. It reminded me of a story I had heard. of a special birth. I added 13 little white flowers in a circle of soil to honor the birth of our nation. We are not alone.
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