Skating at Sunset: Life Imitating Art
Robert K. Abbett: A Painting Anthology Part II -- The Reminiscing Series
"Winter is not a season to be endured, but a time to embrace the beauty of a frozen world, including the thrill of ice skating” — Anonymous
Growing Up: Winter In New England
Growing up in New England, to pass the time in January and February, my father would build an ice skating rink in our backyard. I reflect on those memories often, and recall that it made me not only appreciate, but also enjoy the cold weather, and embrace the winter season that made the hunk of ice and skating and playing hockey in our backyard possible.
Part of this feeling, is because once Christmas and New Years are over, and all the beautiful lights get taken down and parties and social activity become more scarce, January and February become long cold dark months known as the “winter doldrums” — but — it doesn’t have to be that way — keep the vibes going and build an ice skating rink!
Skating at Sunset: Robert K. Abbett
If you know me, you know I am a big fan of Robert K. Abbett’s paintings, especially the “Reminiscing Series” he’s done that bring on an Americana-type of feeling.
I went to my parents house recently and happened upon one of my favorite pictures, which sits beautifully above their fireplace called “Skating at Sunset,” by the painter Robert K. Abbett, which is part of his “Reminiscing Series” of paintings. I always loved the piece of art because it further validates that here in New England we should not only enjoy and embrace the winter, but celebrate it for the short time it is here.
I also love this picture not because of the embracing of the season of winter, but the classic Americana feel that it gives. Four siblings or friends are engaged in a two-on-two game of pond hockey, the sister lazily glides around the pond in a classic winter headband while the family dog chases her, and the parents are warming their hands and getting warm by the fire — and while this is all happening, Frosty the Snowman looks on after a freshly fallen snow in the middle-right of the picture.
Life Imitating Art
I was so inspired by the painting that I decided to make my own rink this year.
To pull out some of those old memories and to create a fun, social, and active atmosphere outside in the fresh air for January and February. I set out to create a “vibe,” the rink, adorned with string lights, a fire pit, chairs, marshmallows, and hot chocolate, in an effort to show my kids that here in New England we embrace the seasons, take part in local tradition, and create memories that last a lifetime.
I remember being outside in ten degree weather each night building the rink and putting up the two-by-fours and stringing up the lights with a headlamp on cold as ever. But then I found beauty in it. I stopped for a moment, took a deep breath of fresh cold air and looked up at the moon and without a cloud in the sky started mapping the constellations and looking at the stars above in our own Milky Way Galaxy. I stared for what seemed an eternity; really until my neck started bothering me. My yard and the woods behind my house was silent and still; I took another deep breath of the fresh cold air and was invigorated and brought me back to my impact drill and to the job at hand.
See you next week and if you skate get on your rink or bogs or ponds — it’s going to be cold for a while — if you don’t skate, maybe try ice fishing — if neither of the aforementioned, simply go on a hike in the woods — just get out there and embrace the beauty of the winter season.
"Ice skating transforms ordinary winter days into pure magic"— Anonymous
—Brendan, Modern Renaissance Man
Brendan Martin Coyne is an award-winning writer, voracious reader, avid outdoorsman, artisan woodcarver, amateur stargazer, hack gardener, and scratch cook. In his spare time, he is a novice hunter, mediocre fisherman, bourbon enthusiast, and loves anything to do with a beach or being immersed in nature with his family.