I got the call.   The print was ready.

Time for a trip to Valley Gallery in Jersey Shore, PA.

Oct. 14, 2018

I grabbed my daughter and left home early Saturday morning to drive to Pennsylvania.  My first stop was to pick up my mother who lives about a half an hour away from the gallery.  As we followed the directions we questioned if I had the right address.  One may typically expect an art gallery to be “downtown.”  This is not the case for Valley Gallery.  It’s way out in the country and surrounded by farms.  Sure enough, my directions were right and we eventually arrived at the gallery.

When we walked in the owner, and my contact throughout all of this, was busy chatting up another customer.  It was all I could do to keep from screaming “wrap it up already!”  I moseyed around the gallery and eventually, the other customers left.

When the owner presented the print, we were beyond excited.  There it was after more than 40 years.   The owner had three prints ready.  One for me, my daughter and my mother.  Of course, I got print #1.

There was more good news.  Because of my pressing inquiry about the painting and the family wanting it, David Armstrong’s daughter decided to release the print to the public!  “The Woodcarver” will be available next year.   Only 950 prints will ever be made.  After that, the file will be destroyed.

I transported two of the prints back to Maryland, where they sat, neatly wrapped for about a month.  Framing isn’t cheap and now I had to find someone I entrusted to take care of my precious prints.

Final Touches

Another “by chance moment” came along.  A Facebook page I follow featured a local framer.  She uses the French style of framing.  I appreciated her artistic approach and dropped her a line.  The next day I took the prints to her studio.   When I arrived, I called ahead and asked if she was ready for me (she runs her business out of her home and I arrived a little early).  When I got to the door she asked: “Are you from Pennsylvania?”  I am.  She asked because of my area code.  Turns out she went to Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA.   Just miles from where I grew up.   Many of my friends attended that school.  Small world we live in.   I took it as a sign.   After choosing some papers, frames and matting, I left my paintings with her and headed home.

The Moment of Truth

After enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Pennsylvania, I returned to Maryland and to some good news.  The print was ready for pick up.  I was beyond thrilled with the results.

I immediately went home and hanged the print.  It now hangs proudly in my dining room.  The eagle above it was carved by Louis in the 70s.  You can see his eagles featured in the print.

The End

So there it is… the story of how a conversation at an Airbnb ended a 40+ year mission for my family.

We are forever grateful to the Armstrong family, Valley Gallery and my Airbnb host.