This small painting of my son Morgan hangs in my bedroom and brings me a lot of happiness. I painted it one summer when I went out plein air painting with another artist friend, Pearl. I brought my kids along, and I think they were about 7 and 10 years old at the time, so that was nine years ago. It was summertime.
We went to Wy-Hit-Tuk Park, a quiet little county park that lies along the Delaware River, a little south of where I live. I just learned that Wy-Hit-Tuk means “river” in the language of the Lenape, the indigenous people who once lived here.
We found a lovely little spot to set up our easels, down by the Delaware Canal, which parallels the river. I had packed a picnic and spread a blanket on the ground for the kids to hang out on while Pearl and I painted.
My kids, age 7 and 10. (nine years ago!)
The kids were pretty good at entertaining themselves and keeping within my eyesight while I painted. At one point, Morgan got really into playing with a little red plastic toy boat. Not too long ago, I found this photo of him way back in the archives of my phone photos, while looking for something else. Even though it’s grainy, I love this photo so much.
Morgan, age 7, playing with his toy boat in the canal.
I decided to paint Morgan playing with his boat. I could see him clearly from my perch up on the bridge over the canal, and I painted as quickly as I could. But it wasn’t quickly enough for a 7-year-old boy, and he started to go away. I remember calling down to him, begging him to sit still for just a few more minutes, and promising to pay him $10. That worked! He sat still, and I finished the painting.
Since then, I’ve never been able to paint Morgan without paying him. I had set a new precedent. But I don’t regret it. I only wish I had made even more paintings of my kids over the years! They have grown up so fast!
One thing I love about painting is that it does capture the moment. When I look at my painting, the memory comes to life. I can still feel all those wonderful feelings from that day, I can sort of re-experience my kids being so young and playful and curious, and all the various elements that made that day magical: my artist friend Pearl, the lush summer green of the trees, the sunlight and shadows and the water reflecting it all, and my own joy at standing in front of my easel, mixing colors, and doing the thing I loved.
Me painted my son Morgan and his toy red boat. Photo Credit: Pearl Rosenberg