A young man called me and asked if I would capture his proposal of marriage in oils. We spoke many times about the details; location, timing, elements. It was freezing and windy, and a crew of NYC workers were adoring the holiday tree with cherry-pickers. When I told them of our plans they worked together to clear the area solely in support of this marriage proposal. It was a true New York moment, when he got onto his knee and the workers, a secretly planted floutist (hired to play traditional Indian ballads), and me (also seemingly an un-planned painting bystander - as you can get away with this in Washington Square Park) all waited for the big "yes!" Later, I brought the painting to the surprise of the lucky gal at a celebratory dinner. I finished the painting as they watched me sign my work.
