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This
painting represents the culmination of four and one half months
work
from conception, the research phase and final execution of the
piece. As a
commissioned portrait of our dear friends Carl and Jeanie Celeste, it
depicts
that frozen moment in time when two lovers bid farewell, only
this moment happens
to be during World War Two. The locomotive behind them is a 1938
J3A Hudson of the
New York Central Railroad and is as technically accurate as possible.
The attention to
details such as: the war bonds poster, his US Army Air Force
attire, the crumpled
Lucky Strike green pack, the period fashions right down to her
"V" for Victory
pin reflect the research that went in to this piece. The moment
is sublime as time
stands still amidst the chaos, for he is a pilot in the Eighth
Air Force, his
orders crumpled in his hand, bound for England and his future
is uncertain to be sure.
To Carl and Jeanie with love...to the men of the Eighth Air Force
with respect, admiration and gratitude.
A very special thanks to Mr. Raymond Paul Moats and Mr. Richard Duley
for their technical assistance on the J3 Hudson.
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