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Chelsa to Brinkerhoff and McNair #22

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016: Chelsea, McNair’s editor, to Brinkerhoff

Wow! This just made my morning! What beautiful work. Once we get it into the cover template, I’ll send it ‘round for a look.  Thanks for your work on this, Rob.

Sincerely,

Chelsea

McNair to Brinkerhoff #20

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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Rob —

That top one takes my head off — so resonant and poignant and — beautiful!

Stet, and thank you. Is there one last phase to finalize color, etc.?

You are amazing.

Wes

Brinkerhoff to McNair Email #19

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Saturday, September 24, 2016

Hi Wes,

Giving it another try here. I’ve added a few more birds and lightened/cheered up the sky. I’ve also made the foreground a bit darker. Keep in mind that this is a sketch, and that color can be adjusted. I normally don’t provide color sketches as things can change quite a bit as the work nears completion.
 
The two options are very subtly different. The second image is lighter overall.
 
Not sure how much more time I can give sketches, I’m sorry to say, as I have some things piling up. If you’d rather opt for someone else on this one, I’ll understand—no worries. 
 
Thanks,
Rob
 

McNair to Brinkerhoff #18

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Saturday, September 24, 2016: McNair to Brinkerhoff

I was trying to think of a background image that reflects the love of a mate, as that’s one of the book’s primary consolations, but I came up with was pear trees, which wouldn’t exactly be visible at that distance… So nevermind, you get the idea. Over and out!

McNair to Brinkerhoff Email #16

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Saturday, September 24, 2016

Robert —

You are so good. I could gaze into your “simple” images for a long time. As in fact I have just done.
 
I like these more. I like both of them for their art alone. And they both speak to the book, for sure. My riick is the top image. But I wonder if there could be more hope in its background. For me, this is a poetry collection about hard-won affirmation, mine and everyone’s, and this affirmation — the light finally achieved — is as important as the darkness that started the journey toward it. (Something mythological there!) 
 
Of course I like the telephone poles, but let me speak only of the bird, an affirmative image for me in the way its flight transforms the levitation of the title poem, “The Unfastening.” Could there be other birds? Could the background be lit more, against, perhaps, a somewhat darker foreground? 
 
Maybe not. You realize, I don’t really know what I’m talking about here, since you’re the expert. All I know if that the background needs something more positive in it. I like your direction a lot, and. as ever,  I like the way your mind works.
 
Wes
 
PS: You say a lot by the fact the foreground figure has his head down. Not only is he in despair, but he’s unable to see what’s there (and will be there) in the background to observe. This picks up the book’s persistent theme that how you interpret the world and your experience in it depends on “seeing” it truly, in ways the poems explain. 
 
*McNair later adds in a separate email*
I was trying to think of a background image that reflects the love of a mate, as that’s one of the book’s primary consolations, but I came up with was pear trees, which wouldn’t exactly be visible at that distance… So nevermind, you get the idea. Over and out!

Brinkerhoff to McNair Email #15

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Saturday, September 24, 2016

Dear Wes,

I’m attaching two more ideas. The color is rough and may change but I’m generally aiming for a somber but wistful aesthetic.
 
Hope these are more to your liking. If not I’ll give it another go. Thanks for your patience. Let me know what you think, please. 
 
Thanks Wes,
Rob
​
 

McNair to Brinkerhoff #14

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Thursday, September 22, 2016 

Rob —

My editor just wrote that using placeholders in the catalog wasn’t uncommon. “You have a week and a half, she wrote, “but that’s too soon.” In other words, she didn’t want to rush you or me. She’s an understanding soul.

But you make me think we may still be able to pull it off, and if so, I’m game. By the way, I don’t find you slow!

Wes

Brinkerhoff to McNair #13

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Thursday, September 22, 2016 

Hi Wes,

I thought we had until early October for the finished work(?)

I have another couple of ideas coming to you by tomorrow, so (provided you feel comfortable signing off on them by early next week) I should be able to finish the painting before I leave for my residency on 2 October. Is this still too late for the catalog? Hate to leave you and Godine in the lurch.

Sorry to be slow on this…

Thanks
Rob

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