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“AURORA” Goddess of the Dawn by Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin. ©  Click to enlarge.  August, 2018.   Photo of the painting by Rob Bredin.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

Jack Bredin decided years ago to paint the historic Aurora Hotel.  This year he finally completed the project.  Jack usually begins by photographing his subject, and when he was doing that, he saw a woman watering her lawn near the Aurora.  It turns out that she is the owner of that house, and she gave Jack permission to use her in his painting.  The dog walker also was present on the day of the photographs and he also gave permission.

The historic Angel of Victory statue  is depicted at the lower right corner.  Jack has used the famous statue in other paintings.  Here is a BF link by Kathy Arlt regarding the Angel:

Angel of Victory

Jack works in oil on canvas, and his paintings often contain historic and current references.  For example, Jack always admired the giant American flag hung from the Aurora  at times such as the 4th of July.  But the flag obscured many details, so Jack placed bunting instead.

The vacant North End is readily seen.  Someday much of what Jack shows here will be considered historic   For example, the “White Whale” building near the upper right hand corner, will probably be demolished in the future.  And the glorious views currently available to all at the North End will be blocked by a commercialized OG North End  (aka “South Asbury Park.”)

Wonderful Victorian homes are shown in the foreground, but looming behind, like some prehistoric monster, is a condominium building, the sort of place that mars the views in the Grove.

Jack insists on accuracy in his paintings, while taking some minor liberties.   For example, the girl on the bike is a Heck Avenue neighbor named Jackie.  And the Aurora, the symbol of the Greek Goddess of dawn, will be converted into 4 condos if the out-of-town interlopers get their way,  with the gears greased by the feckless HPC  (def: lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible.) and the out-of-town, don’t-give-a crap Committee.

It should be noted that although Jack’s work might stimulate  political discussions, he never mixes art and politics.

You also can see that Jack has frozen the time of his subject by including the 16 story Asbury skyscraper currently going up near the ocean.   You can see the giant crane on top. What effect will that huge building have on life in the Grove?

STEVE HOLY:

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