The slow process of an art project.
1993-2013
The “Doors of Deerfield” print has been a project in the process for over twenty years. Inspired by a photography print entitled “Doors of Dublin”, Cindy took photographs of doors in Historic Deerfield way back in 1993. Her intention was to create a wedding gift for friends. That was the year that Cindy launched her home business in Shutesbury, Massachusetts; with the creation of over 20 Christmas cards and all occasion greeting cards and a half a dozen art print designs. The project was put on hold as the Clarkin household grew from five children to six and then seven.
In 1997, with a move to Rhode Island, the home business was discontinued. Cindy concentrated on homeschooling her little brood which grew to nine: five boys and four girls.
During that time, Cindy’s sister requested that she write out Joshua 24:15 for a house warming gift. The immediate thought was to combine the photographs of the doors with the verse. Wishful thinking; since there was very little free time to retire to her basement art studio. As time went on, the children grew; some went off to college, making the homeschool workload lightened up enough for Cindy to enter the 26th Annual State 4-H Photo & Fine Arts Show in March of 2009. Her entry, “Doors of Deerfield MA”, won best of show in the adult division. It was a pencil drawing of eight historic doorways with Joshua 24:15 written across the top and Deuteronomy 6:5-7, 9 written at the bottom.
Before Cindy could give the drawing to her sister, she wanted to make a print. Unfortunately the paper was gray and the pencil did not make a good enough contrast. It was back to the drawing board…literally. There were two weddings and the arrival of a granddaughter. Life happened. The “Doors” project was shelved…again.
In 2012, Cindy finally dedicated some free time to her artwork. Each door was redrawn in pen and ink, scanned into the computer and laid out with a newly written verse. Budget printing in Concord, Massachusetts made 50 copies on an offset printer. Finally on May 20, 2013, Cindy water colored a print for her sister.
The "Doors of Deerfield" is available upon request as a custom water colored print or as an artprint on canvas paper. You can make requests at clarkinfamily@gmail.com.
John and Cindy Clarkin with their nine children , June 2012
