Andrew Wyeth: RIP

nooccar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:22:36 +0000

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a few weeks now, and I wish I’d written it the day my wife told me, but life happens, eh? Andrew Wyeth is dead. You know, I’ve always been an artist at heart and what that means has mutated and evolved over time, but traditionally speaking Andrew Wyeth is my favorite artist. He lived in Chadds Ford, PA and painted that which he knew—those people and places around him like Western PA and Maine, his friend, family, and, of course, Helga. Ah you can’t forget about the German blond haired blue-eyed beauty. He painted Helga nude for years supposedly without telling his family. The only time I’ve ever been to the Brandywine River Museum near West Chester, PA I saw Helga’s dirty blond hair painted meticulously as Andrew’s granddaughter, Victoria Wyeth, talked of her grandfather’s work. I’d never been more enamored in an artist’s life story before – a story I came to serendipitously on my own. Sure, I like Dali for Dali. I like Warhol growing up in Pittsburgh, and I like Basquait because they made a movie about him. Wyeth was all my own and I didn’t have to share that love with anyone. I moved through his galleries that afternoon and just existed among the stories and the art. I will miss you, Andrew. Thank you for leaving me the gift of your paintings.

Warren, PA

nooccar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:21:08 +0000

In July 1994 I was dating Donna and her parent’s invited me to join them at Donna’s grandparent’s house in Warren, PA for the 4th of July. Donna and I’d been dating for a month at the time, and I’d be lying to say I was the most welcome boyfriend. I agreed to the trip, and Mom (as she is now and wasn’t then) drove Donna and I up to Warren. I remember sitting in the back with her singing Meatloaf songs. I love the house, which they built years and years ago when the huge oaks on their lot were saplings. I met the family that weekend, and we had a great time at the fireworks. Since then I’ve been back several times, and the most recent visit is now.

Donna and I haven’t brought Claire up here together since she was about 13 months old. That was the last time I was here, although Claire’s been here since when Donna and I were in Europe.

I adore coming here and eagerly agreed when Donna suggested we try to visit this Christmas. See, when I was younger I spent quite a bit of time camping, fishing, hunting and backpacking with my dad, cousins, and siblings in areas all around the small town, Warren, PA, where Donna’s grandparent’s live. We drive through and near areas like Franklin, Oil City, Tidoute, Tionesta, Kinzua, etc… Every time we drive up here, memories flood; this is probably why I always enjoy this trip.

This trip is a short one. Claire has a bad cough, so we headed to Urgent Care this morning to check her out. After getting a clear bill of health, Donna, her father, Claire and I drove north. We’ve spent the evening with her grand parent’s and Donna’s aunt and uncle.

Tomorrow we drive back to Pittsburgh, and those memories again flood my mind as head south.

» Pennsylvania

Andrew Wyeth: RIP

Warren, PA