Galley Kitchen

This painting was one I sketched out as part of the commission I did for a family on
Martha’s Vineyard a couple years ago. I found the sketch and journal notes again this
winter and found a new way into the composition.

The old kitchen went the way of the house that was carefully dismantled when they renovated the cottage.
We were invited to help celebrate the first dinner in the new place and it was one of our favorite island evenings of all time.
We ate and drank, laughed and sang well into the wee hours and toasted the brilliant reconstruction efforts.
The next day we were heading home and since it was our first ride on the new ferry I went upstairs to check it out.
Pat stayed on the car deck with Gully.
When I returned, there she was yucking it up with some new friend and after a few minutes of introduction
I realized it was the builder who had done the work on this house which we had so recently christened.

I thought back on that when I started this painting.
Decided what it needed was to bring the new view outside of the old window.
Now they can watch the wind move across the pond while they dry the dishes.
The appliances and hardware may be brand new
but the warmth of your family gatherings is all vintage soul.
Galley on…