Old Friends
Old Friends
Jeanette Steele Esposito
Acrylic on wood
Old Friends
It is a spectacular day at Crane Beach. The sky’s colors are bleeding into the ocean and the puffy clouds are taking on those funny, weird, organic shapes that always prompt you to make up silly and wonderful stories about them.
The young couple next to me have finally settled into their spot for the day. “Jack, they remind me of you carrying all that beach paraphernalia.” I am smiling as I think about our psychedelic towel, red frisbee, my knapsack full of art supplies, paperback books, polaroid camera, transistor radio, and your drumming sticks; all that “stuff” we took with us for our day at the beach.
I am now sitting in our favorite spot encumbered with a pocket full of memories. I can see you standing along the shore line so young, so full of life. You were so handsome and your energy was electric. Your eyes always twinkled.
Sixty-five years have passed us by but, when I close my eyes, I can easily imagine us here again. We are no longer running and leaping over the waves. We are wading and reflecting.
“Jack, fate stepped in and you were taken away too soon. We never had that opportunity to spend another summer at Crane Beach or to step into the future together as old friends but you will always be here with me.“
- Betsy Kidder
About the Creators
Jeanette Steele Esposito
Living close to the sea, with its beauty and its danger, is a recurrent theme in the artwork by Jeannette Steele Esposito, a painter who moved to Ipswich 20 years ago.
An artist member of the Rockport Art Association, North Shore Art Association and Concord Art, Jeannette holds the distinction of master artist at Newburyport Art Association and she shows extensively locally as well as in Maine where she spends part of her summers.
Betsy Kidder
Betsy Kidder is a mixed media artist. She is one of four founding members of the “Twisting Road Artists” a New England based group of mixed media artists.
Making collages has captivated Betsy for over 50 years. She enjoys the challenge of exploring and bringing back to life discarded and forsaken materials and old photographs. Betsy then layers and juxtaposes them on a myriad of different surfaces. Her artwork is infused with multiple textures, bold colors, and shifting shapes.
Betsy’s overall intention is to create dynamic and contemplative compositions for the viewer to explore. Hidden within is a story to be told.