Sometimes things are not what they seem. This photograph is an idyllic scene. It is worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting. It is timeless and nostalgic. The child could be a boy or a girl. The beach and dunes could be anywhere. The clearing storm brings in an element of hope. It could be any kid, any time, any beach, on any summer day. This is what I love about this photograph. It is a very relatable image. Most people get a very positive and peaceful feeling from viewing it. It is one of my best received pieces.
Now, I will give you the truth behind the photograph. I hope it doesn’t ruin it for you. It should not because art can evoke feelings that are different from the realities behind them. Art can be more than truth. It had been a rainy night. The storm was clearing. As was the routine that summer, I took the girls, Ella and Ruby, out for a morning “adventure”. It usually consisted of a walk to some part of Block Island where we would play with whatever we found. Typically, it might be sticks, rocks, tidal pools, starfish, crabs, etc.… On this day, we ventured off to Mansion Beach. As we were getting out of the car Ruby, age 2, decided that she did not want to go to the beach. As we followed the path to the beach the protest of the littlest one got louder. Meanwhile, Ella went ahead and was as happy as could be. As we neared the beach I recognized the scene unfolding in front of me. Yes, I knew it was a Norman Rockwell moment when I raised my camera. I was taking the photographs instinctively. Ruby was pulling on my leg and screaming how she did not want to go to the beach. Somehow, in all this mayhem, the shot came together beautifully. We all left the beach shortly thereafter. The photograph is still one of my all-time favorites. Now, you know the real story of the not so idyllic scene behind the idyllic one.
At one point the picture became a postcard and a poster. One day I was walking through the Situate Art Festival and I saw a painting of the image prominently displayed and selling for $5000. So, I asked the artist where she got the image from. She told an elaborate story of how her friend, a Narragansett photographer, gave her permission to paint her photograph of the little boy on the dune. I told her it was a girl and her name is Ella. Then I told her the truth behind the picture. I still am not sure how I feel about this. Not happy that she had stolen my image. On the other hand it proved the power of the image. In the end I thought she was not that good of a painter and I don’t think anyone would ever pay $5000 for it. So, I let it be.