Spirit of New York

On a recent trip to New York with my family, we got the chance to boat on the East River, enjoying seldom-seen views of the city. As I savored the panorama of the Brooklyn Bridge towering above the glistening city skyline, I began to sense the pulsing rhythm of this great metropolis and it dawned on me: what image could better summarize The Spirit of New York? It is the perfect mix of courage, resolve, and indomitable sense of celebrating life in all its diversity. This vast panoramic view of the city is alive with the energy and vitality that make New York unique in all of the world.

As I labored on the epic canvas I came to see the many boats upon the East River as somehow symbolic of the many facets of New York. The humble harbor tug flying Old Glory – the hardest-working boat on the river – expresses New York’s tremendous resolve in the face of challenges. Cargo ships remind us of the economic power of this busy port, while a military vessel suggests the power of heroism resident in the great city. In the distance a vintage ferry boat plies the waters of the East River back to New York’s colorful history, and an array of pleasure boats confirm that after all these years, the city still knows how to throw a party.

In the far distance, Lady Liberty still holds high the torch of freedom high for all to see, while clouds dance overhead like a legion of angels guarding the jewel beneath.