A New Jersey Notion

A New Jersey Notion
acrylic on canvas
24 x 30"
Hardcastle Gallery, Centreville, DE

Many great men and ideas that have emerged from the state of New Jersey, thus inspiring the painting titled A New Jersey Notion. Thomas Edison earned more than half of his 1,093 patents in Newark and Menlo Park with inventions such as the first incandescent lamp (light bulb) and first motion picture. These advancements may have led New Jersey into having the first town powered by electricity (Roselle 1883) and the first drive-in movie (Camden County 1933).

Aside from Edison, many great directors, actors, authors and musicians were born in or lived in New Jersey, such as: Jerry Lewis, Stephen Spielberg, Kevin Smith, Zach Braff, Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Allen Ginsberg, Frank Sinatra, Jon Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen. Edwin Aldrin, who became the first person to spacewalk and second to set foot on the moon was also from New Jersey, along with photographer, Alfred Stieglitz.

A New Jersey Notion is meant to represent new and advanced thinking. Within a dark space, which can be considered the human mind, the light bulb and director’s chair symbolize the power of creativity. Three pages blow off of the seat to represent how these ideas are shared to benefit others. The final element is New Jersey’s state bird. The eastern goldfinch rests quietly upon the back of the chair, just as the state itself does. Amongst the bustling city of New York and the majesty of New England, the presence of this small body of land is often hidden in shadow. However, one cannot forget the impact that this state has had on American history.