Artist Mimicked VanGogh In Painting the Flanders Duck - Riverhead ...

Last week,?Patch featured a painting?by Elaine Thompson?and asked readers what they thought of it in a series, called First Impressions.

The following is what readers had to say:

Linda M. Stevens?said, "I remember the long drive from NJ to Hampton Bays before the Long Island Expressway was finished. As most children do, I asked incessantly "how much further is it"?. What we called the "egg house" was a welcome site meaning we were almost there. Even after 60+ years it is a fond reminder of my happy youth."

Patricia Dooley?wrote, "First it is a Van Gogh impression of one of the oldest land marks on Long Island, I too remember stopping and getting fresh eggs while just a little girl.?I Love the painting and would buy it in a heart beat, for Van Gogh was one of my favorites and to have the duck of my memories would just be a plus."

Dawn?said, "What a great work of art!! The colors are fantastic. There is a wonderful flow to this picture. I love the mix of reality, since it is a real location on Long Island, & fantasy as it brings you to a dream place."

Doris Schneider, wrote, "Great painting. This painting is displayed at the David W. Crohan Community Center in Flanders, NY, where the Friends of The Big Duck meet the first Tuesday of each month. Come join us."

The Artist's Turn

Elaine Thompson, who is an East End Arts Council member said she painted the piece in 2006 while thinking, "I love the Big Duck."

She said, "I wanted to give it an impressionistic style because of its whimsical look. Although VanGogh was not there, I imagined how he would have painted it. It is a combination of about five of his paintings including Starry Night."

Editor's Note:?First Impressions is curated by East Quogue artist?Meryl Spiegel. If you would like to be a part of this series, e-mail Erica.Jackson@Patch.com.

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