Richard Serrin

I've mentioned Richard Serrin, who has been my Dad's friend for about sixty years, ever since they met in high school. There are not many people today who know how to paint like like the old masters, but Richard, who has particularly studied the style of Rembrandt, is one of them. Here is his self-portrait:



This is my dad's account of their remarkable friendship. Dad renewed his friendship with Richard when Richard was struggling to complete his remarkable Passion series, featuring four 9' x 9' canvases. The process of painting them took four years. It was chiefly due to my dad's help fundraising that Richard was able to finish them. Two 7' x 8' paintings were added later.

You may remember my earlier post about the portrait Richard painted of our family, setting us all in a piazza in Florence, during an ersatz trip to Italy. Rob and I are in the center of the portrait (I'm the one in the red blouse), with Richard next to us--he's playing the carriage driver, taking money from us. Fiona and Delia are in the back seat of the carriage.

Dad is starting a project to help sell prints of Richard's paintings, especially his religious work,such as this one of the Prodigal son:



These would be something we hope that would be of interest to both private collectors and, in particular, to churches, perhaps as memorial gifts. Here is Dad's page showing the painting prints that are available. (The original of that one of Christ talking to the woman at the well is owned by my parents.) If you know anyone or any church who would be interested, please do spread the word, directing them to the link above. Thanks.

Friday night out

I know I haven't been posting much lately. I have felt very quiet inside, and I have been engrossing myself in escapist reading, reluctant to engage much with the world.

I went out for my usual Friday night out to a favorite restaurant, The Birchwood Cafe. They do very imaginative menus, featuring locally grown and organic produce. I adore their food, but I usually have to go by myself since the rest of my family scorns their ever-changing selection. Fools. I had a delicious fruit soup and adzuki bean salad. From there, I stopped at Tillie's Bean coffee shop, meaning just to grab a cup of cold press coffee, but there was a Irish trio playing, The Drunken Uglies, and they sounded fun, so I sat down with a book to listen. They had strong, roaring voices that filled the space. Their rendition of "Black Velvet Band" was almost entirely undone by a fit of giggles from some in the audience that spread to the musicians. I enjoyed the concert hugely, and picked up their CD afterwards: it was the title cover, Shadows of the Past, that convinced me to buy it. I gather that they are regulars at the Renaissance Festival.

A lovely Friday night, just perfect for my mood.