MELVIN GOLDFIELD ART SALE

The  Art of Melvin Goldfield 1939 - 2000

Preview:  Saturday June 15,  10am to 3pm
Auction : Sunday June 16 11am to 4pm

The Meeting House Gallery
3545 Schuylkill Rd. (Rt.724)
East Vincent Township/ Spring City PA 19475

"To paint well is to put color in the right place." Melvin Goldfield, M.A.

Mr. Goldfield's art profusely demonstrates his prodigious talent executing this philosophy. His Art cuts wide swaths through fauvism, impressionism, modernism, cubism, surrealism, and realism. His tools are ropes, snakes, rectangles, gorillas, circles, foxes, portraits of artists, Walt Whitman and friends to begin a list.

HERE ARE SOME INVENTORY IMAGES

An opportunity to own an Original Melvin Goldfield work of Art,
at a modest price at a Silent Auction.

A video overview of the collection installed for the auction.

Worthwhile, as audio is Van Morrison: Into The Mystic

For information , photos etc, see:
Inventory

Refreshments

Hope to see you there,
Shima, Colleen & Hy

Dear Family and Friends of Melvin,

I would like to thank everyone who participated in Mel's memorial celebration and everyone who thoughts were there. I can't think of a more perfect way to have celebrated our friend's life.

For those of you who did not know, Mel had been working at the Southwest Senior Center part time teaching art for two years and than as a full-time Program Coordinator for the last five months. I don't think I can adequately express how this was changing his life. The center is located two blocks from where Mel went to high school. He was back near his roots with a job he loved and was having a great time. He had just ordered two potters wheels and a kiln, scheduling trips, movies, speakers, teaching art and shooting a lot of pool with the seniors. Mel was painting and planting life, as only he could.

Having had many conversations with Paulette, the director at the Southwest Senior Center, she expressed some ways for Mel's memory to live on. Mel and Paulette had discussed purchasing a number of framed Monet posters for the large meeting room. They had also started a library. The book cases have been ordered. We are asking folks to drop off books at Hy's office or get in touch with me.

Another way we are asking our friends to remember Mel, is by sending a financial contribution in his memory to purchase art and expand the library to:

SOUTHWEST SENIOR CENTER
6916-23 ELMWOOD AVENUE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19142

By the way, it's tax deductible. I hope we can fill the center with art and books in our friend's name. My warmest regards,

Eliot

Friends,

Please excuse that some of the posted emails have been addressed to me.

I know that they were meant to be shared with Melvin's family & friends, I was just the easiest vehicle to use, as I had corresponded with the writer and their reply was therefore directed to me in some instances..

Hy

My dear friend Melvin died at his kitchen table of a heart attack this morning in Philadelphia.

He had just started doing some E-mail, this is the last line from the one he sent me on Tuesday: " See ya in the forrest. Melvin" He was referring to a petition to save the rain forest that has been passing around. Im enclosing an old photo of Melvin for those who care to look. I hope you all don't mind me using such a public format to assuage my grief.with tears in my eyes and in my heart,

Ron

Attached with this email was the following: 

Melvin Goldfield August 6th 1939 to July 16th , 2000

• A legend in his own time.
• We are his legacy.
• After us, what?
• Outside of his family:

Is his most significant other legacy/contribution: his silkscreens; his watercolors; his sculptures: his paintings; woodcuts; carvings; woodpaintings; treefrogs; locusts/crickets, flowers, naked ladies; erotica; flowers, skulls; In Her The River Sings; Covered bridges, snakes; ropes; crows, turtles; treeroped; foxes; Johnson; Walt Whitman; Rosie and Al; tepees; waterfalls; rainbows; windows; seascapes; dragons; vines; Pan; fire; flame; trees; branches; rivers; birds up; birds down; cartoons...?

Is his most significant other legacy/contribution: laughter; his eyes; his smile ; his consecrations( I meant conversations); his stories; his words ("Junk Yard Dog" - or to me directly: "You have a WILL to EAT!" ; and at a time when I was suddenly feeling alone and very sorry for myself: a big hug and these words:

"Everyone needs someone to hug them or pat them on the back" as he gave me a big needed hug; then he showed me how to start rebuilding my life by beginning to rebuild the stonewall that had collapsed outside and above my front window - starting by marking off the work area with kite sticks and kite string and starting to replace the stones, one stone at a time... "etc, etc, & so forth..."); his friendship; memories; fun; mischief; his gardens; his poetry read & written; his home; his dome, his library, his friends, his woes ( they were the best woes, the hardest woes, - the blues for sure )...

Hy

Much is a blur from the early seventies but I vividly recall Melvin coming by and often dragging me off for last call at Flowing Springs. We'd play pool, chase the girls, drink too much, get in trouble, ended up where we shouldn't have been, stayed up all night and shared too many sunrises.

On hot summer days we spent many hours floating on tubes pondering Russian philosopher Ospensky's theorem stating we live in a seven dimensional universe--TIME itself has 3 additional dimensions, direction [forward], duration [length] and velocity [fast, slow or somewhere in-between]. We formulated some addition dimensions. We would vigorously debate i-Ching, astrology, Buddhism, Zen and Cayce. We deduced that plants are indeed a higher life form. We resolved crucial controversies of our own time. We challenged one another intellectually and Melvin taught me much.

On June 06, 1976 Melvin introduced me to my future wife ( now of 22 years) at his exhibit at Hy's Art Gallery/ Law offices.

We sadly lost touch for many years but recently our paths crossed and for that I am thankful. Valuable memories with a valued friend, a mixture of pain and laughter, an incredibly wonderful person, unforgettable times, highlighted by sorrow, pride, great joy and deep loss.

DHE

Poem for Melvin by Ziggy

If there is a reincarnation, and we can't remember who we were, we will recognize familiar souls by looking into each other's eyes.

If there is a paradise up above, he will be there to greet me upon my arrival.

And if there is nothing at all, one thing is for certain:

As long as I am breathing, he's alive inside my heart.

hy ,
I know that you and mel were partners in life and you had a loving and supporting relationship with him, your one man who supported his efforts in trying to do art and create pleasurable things to look at and to respond to..its so hard to try to create art and prostitute yourself at the same time in order to live it must sell.. and americans are very ignorant in the arts and what it takes to create, melvin spent his life creating and starving and struggling in order to express the beauty he say on to paper and into a tree..

I Loved Melvin he was my husband ...hours and hours of conversation about life and its tolls,he was alaways there for me, alaways i could tell him anything..

I want to thank you for putting him into my life, alot of people did not understand what it takes to survive and to try to create when your worried about your morgtage and food..

I can only imagine what mel was capable of it he would have had no pain in his body and no worries of bills......I cant imagine life without him, and our midnight calls to see if we were still surviving..

I miss him already, I thank you for being so supportive in his works and efforts ....

Hank, Ellliott , and Eric were talking tonight and after the memorial at painted bride we would like to do something at the dome sight, I saw the old chime that used to be at the dome and If its alright with Shima we would like to erect it on a boulder at the dome in honor of Mel and Eric and Hank asked me to see if it was ok,cause theyre busy with trying to put together a retrospect of mel work for the painted bride ceremony, i of course said i am sure Hy would love it,

God i am going to miss him .. talk to ya in the morning

love deb

Hello Hy,
Got your e-mail address straight from the message you sent to Parsonage Farm, though I can't imagine how you got Chris the shamanic drummers e-mail address.

Thank you ever so much for phoning me, to personally give me the sad news of Melvin's death. I am still in shock and filled with a mix of emotions and memories.....

I have kept his picture at hand over the past few years. When things would get tough I would look at it, just to remember what it feels like to be really loved and protected by a compassionate, beautiful human being.

You must feel "gutted" as men say over here...he has been one of your best buddies for years. I will phone you at the weekend to talk some more. It was so good to speak to you last night after all these years. That is a really strange story about the picture of me and Mel. I have thought of that day more than once...it was one of the happiest days of my life.

If its not too much trouble could you e-mail me about where I can send flowers..if there is going to be a ceremony...and also if you could send me Shima's address I would like to write to her.

Love Lynnette

OK Hy,

Here is my little tribute. See if this can get posted on the Web Site or somewhere. Please try to keep the paragraphs separated as I have indecated:

I'm a musician. A Fiddler by trade. Full time now. I met Melvin through Hy Mayerson, some time back in 1976. I was 24 years old. I wanted to get away from my Parents. I had no job, had just left a Band I hated, felt burned out from trying to be something I was not, failing, and moving back in with Mom & Dad. I ended up living in the basement of Hy's law office on Rt. 724. At night, the office was my living room. I'd listen to or play music surrounded by Melvens art. This one large painting in particular, a Goat on some Rocks and a bright light. I'm a Capricorn, born in Dec. Melven started to drop in to see me about every two weeks. I didn't have a car, so he would pick me up and we'd go do our laundry together. Share the wash for a quater. Melvin used to sit on a washing machine and read me poetry while we were waiting for our clothes to dry. He'd read me Walt Whitman and Keroac, and other things, but mostly Walt Whitman. I kind of lost touch with Melvin after he moved back to Center City, but, I find myself now 24 years later, playing music on a fairly regular basis, at the famous Bitter End in Greenwich Village, backing up Beat Poets. Thank you Melvin for turning on a young mind to poetry, and the soul of an artist.

Ted The Fiddler

www.fortissimo.org/artists/ted

tfiddler@juno.com

My condolences to all of you. Although I have not seen Melvin in many years, I remember him as a kind and loving human being. He always had a smile for me. He never had any hatred in his heart. We can all learn from him. As long as we are kind to one and other, Melvin's spirit will be alive and well for all eternity. Peace and Love to all of you,

Christopher Carroll :-)

Dear Sheema, friends and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Since the saddest news of our dear, dear friend Melvin's passing, many feelings fill me up and run me over.

Melvin was the artist and the art all at once. He was Bigger than life, as most of us know it, kinder, smarter and better than the best of us.

I loved and admired Melvin from the minute our eyes met on the driveway by the back of the old Chevy pick-up truck piled high with fresh vegetables and dirty old tires in Lyndell, Pennsylvania, 1971. Back then, he taught Jim about Junk Yard Dogs, street life, and survivial and through the years all of us got to enjoy their collaboration and friendship through their enduring songs, stories and art.

A kindred spirit, he was one of the best friends Jim Croce, A.J. and I ever had, and one of the few friends Jimmy Rock and I share. Our Jewish origin back in South Phiadelphia, our personal thirty odd year history, and all the meals, music and pictures that pass before me now are such a small part of the pleasure I enjoyed by Melvin's presence.

And yet, Melvin burned so bright, so steady, so strong, so tender, so purely Melvin, that his afterglow will never go out. Melvin was the real thing, and that's the rarest and dearest gift he gave was himself.

Melvin was my brother, my teacher, my very special, special friend.

I loved Melvin more than he ever knew, more than I ever knew. The privilege of loving Melvin is a genuine pleasure.

"I could drink a case of you" my friend. And today I will.

My Deepest Sentiments and Condolences,

Ingrid Croce

May Melvin's Beauty, Love, laughter and Spirit carry him far as we hold him in our Hearts.

Peace and love, Peggy

Attached with this email was the following: 

I was first introduced to the concept of community when I went to Chester Springs/ Birchrunville in and around 1971. I first stayed at Frank Foley's art workshop in my van in the back yard. I later stayed in Hy's back yard.

I was most impressed by Melvin's unbounding energy with the dome project down by the creek. He seemed to be like an old wise man, even though he was only 10 years older than me.

I especially remember the "Tree Frog" Series. (I have a tree frog hatching ground in my back yard in an old jacussi) Over the years I have watched the tree frogs thriving and have thought of Melvin many times, actually, every time I see a tree frog I see the names of people I knew 30 years ago and it is like it was yesterday.

Thank you my old friends and thank you Melvin for your vision

Love Nick Tighe (satnick@accesspro.net)

the other day the wind for my sails stopped.................a still entered my life a void....my heart stopped beating to a drum....the song of birds had deadened...the flow of air ceased around me.....the truth was not a welcome friend....i wanted to be lied to ..I didnt want the truth....why ,the age old question why? ..i left my house and went to where the essence of mel was still present ( not looking to my heart ) but to where i was in hopes of finding this all to be a cruel joke.. and there sat the faces of men who shared the same sense of unreal...the tears flowed like waterfalls and then the interruptions of laughter and memories and mels spirit re entered with every breath he was everywhere once again...thankyou henry,elliott,eric,and shima ( for sharing your dad) and to hy for introducing me to what will alaways be the biggest ray of my life and soul i love you all debra

Hi Hy,

My condolences go out to Melvin's family and friends too. Though I didn't know him well, I knew him enough to know he was a gentle and kind soul - a good friend to my friend Sal thru good times and bad, and a friend to everyone who met him.

He gave me what I consider to be 2 of my most prized possessions. A photograph that he took of Jim, sitting at his kitchen table, and a handwritten verse that Jim had written out when he was trying to teach Melvin to play guitar. I could never get over his generosity in giving me those precious keepsakes.

I can picture Melvin back together with Jim again - looking out for those Junkyard Dogs up there! And maybe Melvin will learn a few more guitar chords too. Bless them all, Margaret

Melvinisms.......

• "It's not the same as it ever was...."
• "Should of and could of got killed in Korea..."
• "See ya in the future..."

The Shack on French Creek Road contained two beautiful stained glass church windows that Melvin and ( I think) Ron dropped off out of the blue one day....they had saved them from the wrecking ball somewhere in the city and they were intended ultimately for the dome, I think. But alas, stuff happens, and they never were incorporated. Instead, I enjoyed their presence in the shack for almost 15 years, during some times of total contentment and other times of total despair. When I moved, I asked Mel if he wanted them back for his Pughtown studio, but he said he rather thought they should stay with the shack- in that environment. Amongst the many beautiful images on the windows was the inscription " and in their hearts they had no guile"---thank you, Mel

Terry Burlingame

Melvin,
When news of your death reached me I felt the world was dimmer for a moment

A contemporary, an artist, a kind man and a teacher is gone. You were so generous with me when I needed help teaching high school kids to silk screen. I would meet you at your studio and you would teach me everything I could absorb.

A patient teacher, were you. I passed your "ticks of the trade" on to many kids. I know you liked that idea. Thanks for sharing.

Gail Jacobson, Patagonia, Arizona, July 2000

 Hi Hy,

My condolences go out to Melvin's family and friends too.  Though I didn't know him well, I knew him enough to know he was a gentle and kind soul - a good friend to my friend Sal thru good times and bad, and a friend to everyone who met him.  He gave me what I consider to be 2 of my most prized possessions.  A photograph that he took of Jim, sitting at his kitchen table, and a handwritten verse that Jim had written out when he was trying to teach Melvin to play guitar.  I could never get over his generosity in giving me those precious keepsakes.

I can picture Melvin back together with Jim again - looking out for those Junkyard Dogs up there!  And maybe Melvin will learn a few more guitar chords too.

Bless them all,
Margaret

Attached with this email was the following:    

dax

Attached with this email was the following: 

Hello Hi,

I recently received a note and a few photographs from Mark Fishtein. The most compelling - to my way of thinking - was taken from a vantage point upon the deckwork of the dome as triangular framework rose up around the visionary, the artist, the smiling Melvin. Just enough of the structure can be seen in the photo to suggest its full contours and what, in turn, must surely have inspired that creative builder to smile as he did...and does now only in pictures: captured by a camera or an imagination. Some things last longer than others. And while our works may long outlive our earthly years, I suspect it's the dreams we've shared that come closest to never really dying. We seem to pass them on, from one to the other - from stranger to stranger, from lover to lover, from generation to generation - and very often without ever trying.
    

Last spring when I talked with him, Melvin spoke of his academic years, and printmaking specifically. This is the second semester I've toyed with that same medium. There's a lot I might have learned from him. So it's not surprising to me that images of Melvin and the dome now intrigue me. There is something in these of a monumental nature, and I am want to explore them in terms of a print, or prints: perhaps repetitions of images. Do you have images to share? What are your thoughts?
    

To Colleen, the kids and what remains of the circle, my greetings and well wishes. And since I don't have her email address, my thanks again to Colleen for the invitation to stay over after the Memorial at the Painted Bride. I appreciate the gesture of hospitality. One day, I hope I'm in a position to reciprocate.

                              Take care,
                                 John