"The Private"

A few weeks ago I started to sketch in a few charcoal lines on the bulldog keeping in mind the elements of patriotism, the Marines and Gloucester to be represented in a dignified yet whimsical presentation. The first part for me was to then identify the dog right away so I did the face but gradually refined it as I went along. In a way this became real "company" in a sense to me as I painted.

I added the the little drool but wondered if a Marine would get away with it at attention, but then thought ......this isn't real. I did place it on the kitchen floor one night after doing the face and it startled my wife when she came in the door.

I then figured out the stripes and dress blue coat with the banners on either side. It was tricky for the stripes to line up correctly but with a few adjustments it worked out. I looked in several photos, the details of dress blues from stripes to buttons and badges. It worked out that there was room for one stripe, private first class, and so it became known as "The Private" to me.

"The Private" from Gloucester is ready to join the many other painted dogs of "Pathways Unleashed" that will be displayed around Gloucester this summer. This side shows the Iwo Jima statue and the other is the Fisherman's Monument in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I encourage you to visit there and see both sides of the dog. The gala auction will be September 12th and to learn more information, please visit http://www.pathwaysforchildren.org/.

Pathways Unleashed

Pathways for Children, is a North Shore organization providing more than 400 children and families with early education and child care programs. Later this year they will be holding their third fundraising event called "Pathways Unleashed". In 2004 and 2006, Pathways for Children held events called "Lobster Landings" and "Adirondack chairs" which were decorated into unique objects of art by many different artists, displayed throughout Gloucester and ultimately sold at a high profile auction in September. I participated in each event and now in this year's event.

If you ever want to see the lobster, stop in at the landmark restaurant, Woodman's of Essex, Massachusetts, home of the original fried clams, where it is on display.

I made the trip the other day to pick up my life sized dog to work on and to return it finished in May. I was given an English Bulldog and had some ideas right away. All I could think of was when I was in the Marines, the bulldog was a "mascot." and thought it was appropriate that I ended up with it.

The bulldog is made of fiberglass and looks real but I will "dress it up" in the weeks to come. I placed it by the stove in the gallery and I will show the progress as I go along. I plan on incorperating at least three subjects relating to the U.S. Marines, Patriotism & Gloucester and bringing it all together somehow.

Pennsylvania Studio Visitors

The Christmas decorations were being taken down Sunday, the day after the class but with added snow it made for a real memorable and enjoyable time for all. Throughout the Inn , each room was decorated with the Christmas spirit. There was concern for the snow coming later in the day but all the twenty students from near and far completed painting the raised pine panel. There were three mother/daughters and a mother/son with several being their first time painting. Rebecca and Jennifer traveled a long way and stayed two wonderful nights at the Inn before going back but first stopping in Glastonbury for a studio visit.

The chalk board to the right of the door, welcomes Rebecca and her daughter Jennifer from Pennsylvania after their stay in Sturbridge Saturday night. Rebecca is a long time collector that has visited me when I was in Newburyport and Rowley.

Jennifer found the "Dime House Collection" and is trying to decide which one's she would like.

Rebecca enjoyed the Studio & Gallery filled with all of my work and purchased a few for her collection back home in New Jersey.

I plan it will be a year before I give another class at the Inn and hope that perhaps you too can have a learning experience at the wonderful Longfellow's Wayside Inn. I encourage you to read more about this wonderful Inn at Wayside.org.

Painting Workshop at the Wayside Inn

Saturday, January 10th .......... 9:30am to 4:00pm

Sunday, January 11th ............ 9:30am to 4:00pm



Experience creating a winter scene and wood graining on a 10 x 18" raised pine panel in the Christopher Gurshin distinctive style of Old New England painting in the memorable atmosphere of Longfellow's Wayside Inn. Begin with morning coffee or tea and fresh baked muffins served in the Inn's Ford room while you prepare for the day.In the historical setting of the old kitchen, a delicious candlight five course luncheon is served at noon. At the end of the day you will finished your painting of the raised pine panel.

The cost is $195.00 and call the Wayside Inn
at 978-443-1776 for your reservation.

LIMITED SEATING

Longfellows Wayside Inn


Wayside Inn Road Off of Rte.20, the Boston Post Road


Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776

Rocky Hill Ferry

It just worked out on a recent weekend, that Janice and I would take time going over to Rocky Hill from South Glastonbury on the ferry. We had worked around the yard on Saturday and thought of just relaxing. It would be nice to see the other side of the river and a place we had learned about to have something to eat.

We parked the van and walked onto the oldest continuing running ferry in the country since 1650. There of course have been all kinds of ferry boats but now it is a little tug boat to guide the ferry back and forth.

The tugboat, Rocky Hill, turns around ready to go to the other side and it will only take about four minutes to get there.

We were hungry for our long awaited breakfast on this beautiful weekend Sunday morning at a place we read about called Mitchell's on the River. It's a small place just with seating on the out side deck. Even though it was mid morning we wondered why we had our choice of seats on the porch. We ordered and were surprised when we were told there was a gas leak problem that was just discovered. It seems that the gas was used up earlier and that there wasn't any to cook with when we ordered. How disappointed we were! Well, at least they offered us coffee at no charge!

Afterwards we went for a little walk to an interesting gift shop nearby called Tapestry Rose, located in what was the old train station. Later we went back to wait for the ferry and just enjoyed what seemed like a far away experience. Maybe it's because we were walking around in a different area, but we could have been miles away instead of just three.

Janice and I still had a nice time feeling like we were on a vacation, just peacefully looking up and down the river.

It's a lot easier to get across the river than the earlier days, but the experience is still the same today as it must have been years ago.

Horse & Carriage ride on Main Street

I was finishing a painting of the Web-Deane-Stevens museum in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut, settled in 1634, where George Washington met with Count de Rochambeau in preparation for the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
The final element in the painting happened to be a horse and carriage traveling by the museum and so it was very exciting and timely to see it in real life as we were on our way to the shop, Antiques on Main. My wife Janice and I wanted to see if there were any more small bottles for her collection and also to drop off a few Country Registers. The horse and carriage ride, offered by The Allegra Farm of East Haddam, Connecticut, was right across the street from the museum. There was no waiting line for the carriage ride so after dropping off the Country Registers at the antique shop, we decided to go for a ride.

At the start of our ride, the coachman in colonial attire greeted us and the door was opened for us into another world. Our particular coach was called a "Brougham" named after Lord Brougham, (1778-1868) , an English statesman, and the restored interior was authentic with a beige velvet material, tufted and pleated as it had been originally. We were excited and happy to come upon this unexpected pleasure to get a traveling experience of looking out as others might have done two centuries ago at the beautiful old homes still standing today.

The Allegra Farm of East Haddam, an authentic "livery stable" for over two decades, provides carriage rides, sleighing party rides and even the experience of a western chuck wagon dinner ride. They travel all over New England and the Tr-State area for weddings, city and town events festivals, parades parties and film parts. Private carriage rides and hay rides may be enjoyed from the farm any season or at your favorite location.

The elegant team of horses were happy and relaxed plodding along at a slow pace, a far cry from their previous life as racing horses. The ride lasted about fifteen minutes but brought to one's mind and imagination another slower pace in time. The ride was pleasant and cozy hearing the carriage creaking and the clip clopping of our two former old race horses going down Main Street.

So if you are visiting Old Wethersfield and you have a few extra minutes on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon this summer, take some leisurely time for yourself and take an enjoyable horse drawn carriage ride for just $5.00 per adult. I wonder how many of our vehicles of today will give rides to those wanting the experience of the year 2008 in 250 years?

Christopher Gurshin

email. chris@christophergurshin.com

www.christophergurshin.com

Antiques, Bottles & Flowers

Welcome to Antiques on Main of Old Wethersfield, Connecticut, voted the best antique shop now for the third year in the Hartford magazine's Best of Hartford 2008 May issue. It is located next to the firehouse on Main Street. I have a variety of my work available there from paintings, tinware, art signs of the town and my wonderful collectibile houses. Historic Old Wethersfield, founded in 1634, is a special place to experience a communtiy of authentic New England heritage, museums, old architecture, places of interest nestled along tree lined streets. Of noted interest also is the Webb House where Washington and Rochambeau planned the Campaign of Ending the Revolutionary War at Yorktown in 1781. The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is a must to visit and just a few steps from Antiques on Main. Across the street from the museum is the J MICHAELS TAVERN, located in the historic Standish House, where I also exhibit my work.

Janice and I wandered around the shop and she was happy to find some small bottles. One was a medicine appearing bottle, a decorated little vase and an old ink bottle. Then when we got home Janice picked some flowers from the carpet of Myrtle along the edge of the stone walls, which were perfect for the new collection of bottles.

This is a half Federal house with an ell addition I made and with a painted scene all around. I couldn't resist making the image of a flowering tree by placing the Myrtle flowers in the back.

Looking forward to seeing you here at the studio in Glastonbury just over the river from Old Wethersfield, where there are plenty more houses of different sizes and shapes that I've made to bring an accent to your home.