Robert Flinkman

Robert Flinkman
Street Scene, Albuq.,corner of Gold and Mesa SE
oil on canvas
21" X 27"
1994
copyright 1994 Robert Flinkman

September 11th, 1994                Sunday       New York City

Every time I see a moving van or truck, I smile. Walking up E.85th St. to do my laundry, I saw a U-Haul truck drive up there, headed west, and I thought about my doing the same, riding along and away from this street, this apartment that's been my home for over a decade and a half......Riding along in that truck, taking my life with me, everyone going about their own daily duties and routines, no one except myself knowing at that moment knowing how I have now changed my life, even irrevocably. Life along that street will go on as it has and will, but for me and my own life it will now be altered - and I do believe for the better, I do. There are things I see and do that will no longer be for me, and I do feel a sense of some sadness. I don't leave with regrets - there've been some fine times and some troublesome periods, but isn't it  like that, a mixed bag. I'm glad I'm giving myself time to gradually adjust to this change, to slowly pack, make sure everything is done right, take one more tour of the museums, catch the opening season in Soho, then head out.

November 4th, 1995              Friday           Albuquerque

Throughout it all in walking around I found a good scene to paint at the corner of Gold and Mesa, a row of light beige adobe homes - beautiful scene. In front of some hang those large beautiful deep red chiles, and in front of some of the courtyards grow all sorts of cacti, prickly pears. The stretchers are 21' X 27". I knew my work would open up!

November 7th, 1994           Monday

The painting progresses successfully. It's getting interesting, colorful and expressionistic.  I average four hours out there, and I tell you I meet new people coming by to say hi each day. I met two people from New York - one from Seaford, L.I., and the other from Manhattan - left NY in 1983 to head here! I do think the whole painting will come together when I finish the street itself, that'll bring it together. Then I want to do a study of some prickly pears I saw nearby. That'll be interesting.