Wasn't that the best summer camp?

 

This congenial little group, gently shepherded by Dr. Woods (the "grown-up" with the glasses), is hoping you had as great a time at this year's summer camp as they did.  And maybe you'll come back for more next year?  I certainly met some new people and made at least one lasting friendship. I know that Harold Weston and I will stay in touch.

 

The seasons have changed now, and in times past, the Adirondacks summer vacationers would be heading back by train to Eastern seaboard cities – a phenomenon that took off in a frenzy in 1869 when a young preacher published the first guidebook to a wilderness area.

 

I caught this group of early 20^th century vacationers and imagined them grabbing their last sketching session before it was time to catch the train.  Don't worry – bags are packed, bills are paid, and now they have a few hours before they say goodbye.

 

Thinking about how memories inevitably fade, I decided to catch that phenomenon in paint.  The people in the photo, existing originally in "living colour," would fade to grey.  To fit them all into that creek-side setting, I started with a formal grid.

 

Here's an early lay-in stage – do you notice anything missing?

 

What seemed to be missing was someone to occupy the space on the left.  I had to look further in Adirondack archives and found a group that's perhaps native to the region, taking a break from farm work….while the city slickers pack up their easels.

 

 

Let's morph two of these guys together and fill in that space.

 

 

Moving along, I realized that I would have done better to start out differently.  Maybe I should have proceeded as if tinting an old black-and-white photo.

 

Ah, well – we're getting there – or somewhere, at least.

 

And here's the finale:  "Fading to Grey – Summer's End," copyright 2023.

 

 

Oh, what's that whistle?!   The train is leaving the station!   Destination?  I'm not sure -- it was just a blur on the "Departures" sign.  We'll know when we get there.