Blue Bar on a Monday Painting by RC DeWinter

Blue Bar on a Monday

by RC DeWinter

Canvas Print

$63

Framed Print

$88

Art Print

$37

Poster

$37

Metal Print

$86

Acrylic Print

$94

Wood Print

$66

Throw Pillow

$30

Fleece Blanket

$53

Duvet Cover

$110

Shower Curtain

$73

Bath Towel

$40

Tote Bag

$40

Weekender Tote Bag

$49

Zip Pouch

$35

Portable Battery Charger

$50

Yoga Mat

$65

Greeting Card

$7.95

Spiral Notebook

$15

Sticker

$4.50

iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

$40

Round Beach Towel

$75

Weekender Tote Bag

$49

Coffee Mug

$17

Men's Clothing

$30

Women's Clothing

$30

Youth Clothing

$26

Toddler Clothing

$24

Baby Clothing

$28

Title

Blue Bar on a Monday

Artist

RC DeWinter

Medium

Painting - Digital Oils-paintography-photopainting

Description

Copyright 2014 RC deWinter ~ All Rights Reserved
Not two weeks after Edward and I had our Mexican lunch in New Haven I ran into him again, this time down on the gold coast of Connecticut, in Darien. I'd gone out on a Monday night to hear some music with a crowd so old, for the most part, that in their company I feel positively juvenile. But the restaurant has a friendly bar, and the music, though all old-fashioned jazz and pop standards, is well-played.
I was sitting with a small group of regulars. An older couple was describing their latest trip to California to see their daughter and her family. I was only half listening; their stories of dog-sitting for two standard poodles and their grandson's graduation from college did not set my pond on fire.
I was looking out across the room when the back door opened and in walked Edward. This was the second time in less than a month that he'd shown up unexpectedly at a time and place I wouldn't have thought to see him. Excusing myself, I got up and went to sit next to him at the bar. He was clearly as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
"Whatever are you doing in this neck of the woods, Edward?" I asked.
"I might ask the same of you," he replied. "I didn't know you went out of your way to mingle with plantation folks."
"Oh Edward, I thought you knew I grew up in Fairfield. This whole area is my old stomping grounds. But this hardly seems like a place you'd seek out."
He smiled and asked me what I was drinking.
"Bourbon and ginger on the rocks with a twist of lime."
He waved at the bartender and ordered that and a glass of pinot noir for himself.
"I'm on my way to New York," he explained. "There are a few things at the apartment that need attention. I thought I'd make a trip early in the week so I can be back in plenty of time to enjoy the weekend at the Cape."
"And however in the world did you land here?" I inquired. "The food and music are good, but it's not exactly an incredibly well-known restaurant."
He shrugged. "Just one of those things," you said. "I'd mentioned to an old friend from this area who summers in Truro that I had to make a quick trip to New York. He suggested that if I got hungry on the way down I should stop here. He raved about the food. Told me I should order the tempura-battered crab. I didn't know about the music, though."
"Most of the people here on Monday night are regulars. They come for the music and to hang out with people they're comfortable with. The crab is great, your friend was right about that," I replied.
Edward put down the bar menu. "In that case I'll order some. Would you like to share it?"
My stomach was rumbling so I said, "You bet. It comes with a fabulous sauce that has more than a hint of horseradish along with some other mysterious ingredients. But it's so good we may end up having to order more."
Edward put an order for two portions. The room grew quiet as the musicians took the stage. I leaned over and whispered, "The music is all old-hat standards but played well."
Conversation stopped for the most part as the music began. Edward looked around and took a sketchpad out of his satchel and began drawing the patrons scattered around the bar and sitting at the little tables.
"It will hardly rival Nighthawks," he murmured as he sketched, "but there is an interesting aura here I'd like to capture."
By the time the crab arrived Edward had finished his sketch. The band ended their first set as we began enjoying the crisp battered crab legs. More people had arrived while the band was playing and the room was now noisily convivial. We didn't talk much as we ate, but Edward did order two more drinks.
When there was nothing left on our plates but crumbs Edward downed the last of his wine and stood up. "I'm off," he said. "Always a pleasure to see you. Will you be singing?"
"Not tonight," I replied. "I'm just here to relax."
"Until next time," Edward said. "If I do this painting I'll send you a photo."
I thanked him for the food and waved as he headed to the back door. I rejoined the people I had been sitting with. One of them asked, "Who was that? You should have brought him over to sit with us."
I shook my head. "Just an acquaintance, but he's not terribly social. And he was anxious to get to New York."
"Maybe next time," said one of the women.
"I doubt it," I said. "It was just an unusual coincidence that he was here at all."
About 10 days later there was an envelope from Edward in my mailbox. As promised, he'd sent a photo of the painting he'd done from his sketches at the bar, along with a short note.
"Hardly a masterpiece," he wrote, "but a small remembrance of another pleasant encounter with you. And the crab was delicious."
~ copyright 2014 RC deWinter

This painting has been FEATURED in

AAA Images
Appreciating Artwork From All Mediums
Modern Art
People
The Colour Blue
The World We See
Visions of the Night
Weekly Fun for ALL
WHAT question mark

Thanks to the group hosts for their encouragement and support.

bar, night, people, atmospheric, moody, patrons, dark, darien, connecticut, furniture, interior, contemporary, figures, club, wall art, modern, rc dewinter, dewinter