Archive 1990-2

Hay bales, Pennsylvania landscape
pastel on paper
18" X 24"
1990
copyright 1990 Robert Flinkman

July 8th, 1990 Sunday

I got the pastel done of the hayfield - not bad, really. Worked on it from 11-2. Early on a car stopped by, and a young couple and their young daughter came by to see what I was doing. The mother had remembered me yesterday viewing the field, they own the area opposite, across the road. In a very neighborly way, she invited me over to their farm house nearby if I wanted a drink or to rest. I thanked the for their kindness, rather touched by such openess, genuine friendliness. The husband in a red, short sleeved shirt, just remained silent, looking at my preliminary charcoal sketch.
I enjoyed sitting there, working in the quiet, only hearing the bird sounds around. Early on I heard church bells ringing. This is joy to me, peace - open country, farmland, the quiet. I am soothed here, it's such wonderful therapy, really. I need the wide open space, the rolling countryside gives me to free my mind, expand it, open it, to breathe and roam. My spirit needs this. I come back to New York more rested, more able to take it on.

Robert Flinkman
Limestonville, Pa.
oil on canvas
18" X 24"
1990
copyright 1990 Robert Flinkman

July 10th, 1990 Tuesday

I've finished the work, Limestonville, and have really burned myself out doing so, but it's a healthy inner tiredness, a sense of accomplishment has been achieved. I had a good creative workout, and I deserve it.
I headed out there off of Rte.E.54, set up and began work before 11AM. I worked straight thru until 3PM, and still the picture wasn't complete. I pressed on as far as I could, 'till I could go no farther........I came back (on the way picked up a bottle of Coca-Cola to sip on while working), and completed what I could.. I'm pretty much satisfied with the work. The only dissatisfaction I have is in the cornfield - not enough unity there, a little rough, still the work holds together, color choice fine. The pastel of the hayfield is good. This Limestonville picture and the hayfield are good, the Montour County painting is fair, rather basic in its way. Still I feel I've accomplished what I wanted to here, and I'm ready to head back, bright and early around eight.