Robert Flinkman

Robert Flinkman
Grand Central 9-5
oil on canvas
46" X 32"
1987
copyright 1987 Robert Flinkman

April 28, 1987       Tuesday

As for the Grand Central painting, I want to really make an important statement concerning the 9-5 burden we all carry over us thoughout so much of our lives. Sometimes in the morning before work I go to this scene to observe it, the hurrying figures to and fro, almost bent and covered under the enormous weight of an impassive, imperious and impersonal clock, reading the hours 9-5, commute to, commute from, an endless stream of stifled life.

May 8, 1987         Friday

I found my creativity almost thwarted by lethargic bureaucracy. Wednesday night after the show, I headed to  Grand Central to do the charcoal sketch of the terminal. I was a little over an hour in the work, when I was approached by some guy in a tan polyester jacket, wire rimmed glasses and thick reddish hair, armed with  a two-way radio, and claimed I had to "clear out," as I was being an obstruction. Someone could trip over my easel and sue Grand Central.... I wanted to know on whose authority he was making this statement, and I asked him who he represented, and he replied the stationmaster....Temporarily thwarted but forever undaunted, the next day I headed to the stationmaster's office, only to find Mr.Murphy relaxing probably hundreds of miles away on his vacation, "go see Randy Fleischer in the in-bound waiting room by Track 42." Only by inquiring three times by three separate people did I get some inkling that the large glass picture windows and unmarked glass door, all covered by thick pink curtains was what was once a waiting room, possibly recognized by someone who last rode the Metro-North when it was propelled by steam. I entered and found the office inhabited by a short, shy, discomforting young man, clean shaven despite a well-trimmed moustache and tailored suit. Somehow I sensed  the bureaucratic dealings this man figured into were too much a weight for his small shoulders. The necessary form through which a mysterious process of two days had to elapse for it to be signed by hands unseen seemed immense weight. He seemed especially confounded as it then states nothing on it regarding artwork. Handing out literature or religious, economic or political subjects seemed well covered, but painting a picture? Well, with a red felt tip pen I created one. He claimed it took two days to process, and I told him I wanted it by the 10th and the 31st. Well, I could pick it up by tomorrow morning and I did. Instead of the small man, I met a woman of advanced age and by the thickness of her glasses failing eyesight, who was reading The Power of Positive Thinking. And evidently by her attitude she hasn't gotten too far into the book.When she found the form, I said that Mr.Fleischer told me that I could pick it up this morning, "Well, it's still here!" in a tone which seemed to insinuate I demanded to know why nothing has been done. On the scene entered Mr.Fleischer, telling me to come back after three. Fine, I came back at four, and then at 4:45. Amazing, completed and done, signed, sealed and delivered.