Coming in for the Evening  UART 12 x 16 8 ply panel

Long battling the elements and the challenges of the ocean, lobstermen have been working the waters in New England since colonial times. During those early years, lobsters were found in tidal pools. They were extremely abundant and were considered “poverty food” with it often being fed to children, prisoners and indentured servants. Indentured servants were people who sold their services to sponsors in exchange for transport to America. They came to detest lobster so much that they started to write into their contracts that they could not be served lobster more than three days per week.

In the 1800’s, lobster and canning became a match made in heaven. It was soon one of the most desired canned meats. With increased train travel, people ventured into New England. This caused an increase interest in fresh lobster as those traveling to the area had experienced and enjoyed the canned version for years. Restaurants and hotels recognized the desire for fresh lobster and being good businessmen and women, started to jack up the price. By World War II had become the delicacy we know today.

The Vision Place of Souls July 5 - December 22, 2017 at the Lynn Museum - an exhibit of landscape paintings depicting the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War by Jeff Fioravanti

WhereLynn Museum/LynnArts, 590 Washington St, Lynn, MA 01901, USA (map)

DescriptionWe are pleased to announce that the Lynn Museum/LynnArts organization will host a six-month exhibition of the works of artist Jeff Fioravanti, entitled “The Vision Place of Souls”, which focuses on Fioravanti’s interpretations of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Fioravanti, a Lynn resident, is a nationally accomplished pastel artist and oil painter. He has long possessed a love of the American Civil War inspired by the artists of that conflict including Winslow Homer, Conrad Wise Chapman, Richard Norris Brooke, Alfred Waud as well as the prints produced by Currier and Ives. He has often parlayed his love of art and American history to help a number of organizations preserve the lands and artifacts of this traumatic period of our nation. His Civil War works have received great acclaim. The late author and Civil War historian Brian Pohanka once said that “Jeff Fioravanti’s paintings evoke an almost tangible sense of place; not in the hills and streams, the fields and forests alone, but in the still greater sense of the heroism and sacrifice that transpired there. The landscape itself is a timeless memorial to those heroes in blue and gray; and Fioravanti has created a lasting tribute to that Hallowed Ground.” The exhibit curator is noted local artist and arts advocate Jocelyn Almy-Testa, who also serves as Executive Director of Extras for Creative Reuse in Peabody, MA. “The Vision Place of Souls” will be on display from Wednesday, July 5--Friday, December 22nd from 10AM-4PM Tuesday-Friday and 9AM-1PM Saturday, at the Lynn Museum, 590 Washington Street, in the heart of downtown Lynn. A full calendar of programs related to “The Vision Place of Souls” will be announced in June 2017.

Winter’s Gold (Breakheart) 9 x 12 UART 400 grit 8 ply board

After surgery in January, there were few activities I was allowed to pursue or enjoy as I recovered. One thing I was allowed was the opportunity to walk. They encouraged me to walk. Having grown up in Saugus, Massachusetts, not far from the Saugus Iron Works, National Historic Site, I knew the perfect place to get myself out of the house and enjoy one of the few exercise options allowed: Breakheart Reservation.

I spent countless hours at the hockey rink near the Saugus entrance to Breakheart, but it wasn’t until much later in life that I started spending time walking and enjoying the trails of this oasis of nature not far from US Route One. As my wife battled cancer, which would eventually claim her, she often would ask to go to Breakheart to walk. I think it allowed her for a few hours to forget her illness and I was more than happy to accommodate here. There are paved hills, though vehicles are not allowed, and that allows for peacefulness without rival so close to Boston. Breakheart is 640 acres with several hills 200 feet or higher allowing for views of Boston.

During one of my many walks, I would often pass this stream. Since I was there early in the morning, I would get to see the sun dance across the snow and add beautiful colors to the rocks caressed by the winter water. I loved the light, the contrast and how the water and its hints of orange and yellow played off the cool blues and purples of the snow. Now the memory of those walks helps to keep me cool on these long, warm summer days.