“She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind,” said Toni Morrison, Beloved.
“Old Friends” is a pastel painting by Marsha Townsend of Ellsworth, Maine, who is a member of the Bangor Art Society. From a photograph, she captured her “…92-year old mother saying goodbye to a dear friend for the last time,” says the artist.
The artwork has won awards in national juried shows and it was noted by the President of the Pastel Society of New Hampshire, “I was drawn to this piece by the emotions it brings up. There is a story here and I want to hear it.” More of the story is that Marsha’s mother was moving from her home of 60 years to live with her “to finish out her life.”
Artist Townsend selects the medium she will use based on the ‘conversation’ the subject or scene depicts. It could be a host of variables, including oil, pastel, acrylic, pen and ink, as well as a blend of them all.
To order a limited reproduction of “Old Friends,” the artist can be reached at marsha@downeast.net or 207.664.7456.
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer
Joan Crawford Barnes
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You can tell by looking at this painting that these two lovely ladies have been life long friends. It is indeed filled with emotion. The blue white hair of old age – untouched, but accepting the flowering of age – growing old gracefully. The color blue and blue green – cool colors, but the warmth of the skin tones. Saying good-bye to a long time friend, heart breaking, but necessary in life – letting go, we’ll all do it someday – all part of living. May we do it so gracefully as these two. These two look like they have lived well. May we all live well, makes saying good-bye easier. Lovely painting in pastel, and yes it would be lovely in any medium. Thanks to Marsha Townsend for allowing us to enjoy this moment with her.