Ok, don't look. Yet.
Right now, I'm sitting on finished art of an SB2C-4, F6F-5 and a B-29.
Two were reserved for an ill-fated opening of a Gallery (featuring my work) and another for return to Saipan in honor of one of her crew.
Covid-19 ruined all of that. And more. Of course, there's always postponement...but the moments that were in-plan, in-progress and in-place were AWESOME for any history geek. I really, really was looking forward to sharing the cool news with like-minded souls.
And then, this - a commission that I'd put-off for over a year.
[face-palm - shame on me for focusing so much on the needs of the present...]
Have a look at the sketch above - it's a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane.
Consider this - the airplane above is over one. hundred. years. old. Its ancient-ness is both startling and reassuring. Startling in that 100 years ago, the world was in a place that can't be conceived today. No internet, no fast-food, no interstate highways, no digital media and certainly no travel within the solar system.
But.
100 years is a pittance in terms of how the universe works. Think about how much life has changed since the year 2020.... and yet, things still stay the same.
*break break*
Have a look below. It's the second-stage of my artwork that will go to a patron who insists on providing his family opportunity to see that their genealogy of success has persisted among the decades, leveraging common traits of excellence.
I'm stuck here... at once, the patron's message resonates with me and at the same time, I'm struck by the irony of thinking...
"DANG! THIS IS THE HARDEST AIRPLANE I'VE EVER DRAWN."
Circumstances change, stuff we hope-for doesn't pan out...and in the end, our talent, our experience and our willingness to respond prevail.
I sure hope you all get to see the SB2C, F6F and B-29. But in the end, will it be this ancient biplane that ends-up inspiring us most?
Stand by.
