I guess, being that I saw the Execution of Maximilian at MOMA yesterday, it reminds me how much I admired Manet’s work, though it has nothing much to do with the subject matter he chose - it’s his brushwork and his feelings.  Manet’s work had a connection to the elemental world.

I don’t own this painting, I sold it in 1989, for 1800 dollars - but if I had to do it over again, I would have kept it for myself - because paintings like this don’t happen that often for me and were I to sell it ….I’d want it to go to someone special, and that’s not what happened.

 

I did not know what I did - how this painting happened - I put a lot of work in mixing the colors for the rug and table/chair.   Perhaps the mauve, purple, lavander like colors were part of my Homage to Manet - he had a special connection with that range of colors and they appear, in various ways, in his paintings.

Being that it’s my birthday today (actually, November 9th), I thought I’d give my self the treat of being able to look at one of my best paintings. 

When I paint now, I still have all the feelings - and more - not overworking anything….. not saying I did that here….but I worked so hard on this painting but what’s me here … the way I mix colors - t h a t ’s   w h o   I  a m - that’s my gift.