This painting is a companion to the last one, “Happy Adventure,” named for a small outport village in Newfoundland that in turn took its name from Happy Adventure, the seemingly unlikely name for the flagship of pirate Peter Easton‘s fleet (see the last painting for the full and true story).  My wife Lisa wanted me do a painting as a gift for her friend Arlene, who had provided Lisa with several references photos that she thought might be suitable for me to use sometime. And then Arlene’s husband Tom picked out the one he thought Arlene would like the most, which is the backyard scene depicted in “Happy Adventure.”

But as the artist, I preferred the scene depicted in this painting, which was found in two other photos of the home in Happy Adventure. The brightly coloured bench and chair poised with a panoramic view of the natural surroundings, the aging wood in the platform, the reflections in the water, the flowers and greenery. All of these were elements that called to me to paint this scene, but I was overruled.

And so after I completed the prior painting, I set out immediately to paint this one. The image wouldn’t leave me alone otherwise.

It’s common for people in Newfoundland to gaze at its beautiful, rugged landscape and say that they are in “God’s country.” Contemplating this scene, I can feel the heat of the sun and the cool breeze, hear the songs of the birds and the intermittent splashing of fish and ducks in the water, and anticipate a spectacular sunset provided that the clouds behave themselves. I’d be there reading a book.

The entire time I was painting this, I had no idea what to call it. Nothing came to mind. But as I was signing my name, the very last act that signals I’m done with a painting, I thought to myself “so what shall I call it?” It seemed that a voice in the my head immediately responded, “Front Row Seats.” I don’t know where that came from. Maybe it was my muse, satisfied that I’d done this scene at last. But as soon as I heard it, I knew that was the title, no arguments about it. I heard and obeyed.