Painting of Village Donated at Council Meeting
In the spirit of Christmas, artist Bill Mast presented Middlefield Village Council with his painting of historic downtown Middlefield during its Dec. 12 meeting.
In the spirit of Christmas, artist Bill Mast presented Middlefield Village Council with his painting of historic downtown Middlefield during its Dec. 12 meeting.
The large black-and-white acrylic in a gilt frame was revealed early in the meeting by Mast, who re-created the mural on the west wall of the Middlefield Tavern last year.
Mast said one particular thing in the photo moved him to start the project.
The scene, circa 1934, includes a Christmas tree on a tripod standing directly under the traffic light in the middle of the intersection of what is now state routes 87 and 608.
“When I saw that (tree), I had to paint it,” Mast said, estimating he spent 150 hours on the project – and thought, when he was about half way done, he wasn’t going to finish it.
His muse had deserted him and no amount of determination could draw him back to the canvas.
“Three months ago, I thought it wasn’t going to happen. I gave up on it,” he said. “When it leaves, you can’t get it back. Being an artist is a little strange.”
Fortunately for the village, his motivation returned two months ago, giving him time to complete the painting before the holiday.
In answer to a question, he said he starts the process by preparing the canvas and sketching, freehand, the scene from the enlarged photo, using a grid to ensure proportion. The work is detailed and very realistic.
Mast said he added the cars parked on East High Street last.
He chose the frame to match the ambiance of the work and said he is going to miss having the painting in his home.
At his usual hourly rate, the painting is worth about $9,000, he said.
Mast had only one request of council.
“I just ask that you put it where people can see it,” he said.
Village Mayor Ben Garlich assured him his wishes will be fulfilled and thanked him.
“This painting is priceless to the village,” he said.
Mast also announced the U.S. Department of State saw his paintings of U.S. Coast Guard ships on the internet and asked him to serve as an official artist for the Coast Guard Art Program.
“Now I’m a government artist, my prices will go way up,” Mast joked.
On Facebook, he added, “I am an official artist of the USCG! Never served in the coast guard and truly regret that! However, I have been painting these magnificent boats and ships for a few years now.”
Founded 41 years ago, COGAP saves the works of artists in its archive, according to the USCG website.
“We want the workforce to know that what they do every day is memorialized in art through our program,” said COGAP coordinator Mary Ann Bader. “We appreciate the contributions of our Coast Guard artists, all of whom volunteer their time and artwork to the service. It is an honor to us and it’s something that we deeply appreciate.”
