Sunday, January 12, 2014

Some Enchanted Evening


14" x 17"

There is a wonderful little film from the late 1980's (1988 to be exact) called "Crossing Delancey."  It stars Amy Irving as Isabelle (Izzy), a single, Jewish girl working in a NYC bookstore.  Her bubbie (grandmother) hires a matchmater (the hilarious Sylvia Miles) to find her a husband.  The resultant "pickle man, Sam" is not what Izzy has in mind.  She prefers the unobtainable writer, Anton (Jeroan Krabbé).  

Why do we always want those bad boys?  He is a user, but entranced by his recitation of a poem from Confucius' "Book of Songs," you can understand why she falls for him.  

"Ripe Plums Are Falling"

ripe plums are falling
now there are only seven
may a fine lover come for me
while there is still time

ripe plums are falling
now there are only three
may a fine lover come for me
while there is still time

ripe plums are falling
i gather them in a shallow basket
may a fine lover come fore me
tell me his name

Oh, I know what you're thinking.  How could this poem be considered seductive?  Just watch this clip:


Wait, let me pull myself together and get back to the point, which it how does this painting tie in?  Late at night on her birthday, Izzy and her are sitting in a small joint (Gray Papaya), eating hot dogs when an elderly woman dressed in aged finery and too much makeup enters and sings, "Some Enchanged Evening."  The universe sends Isabelle a message through this unknown chanteuse.  So endearing and tender, it is a scene--and a character--that has never left me.  My painting is a loose interpretation and a tribute to that magic.


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