This evening will mark the fortieth anniversary of John Lennon being shot in front of The Dakota where he had one of his homes. That building is one block west and seven blocks south of the UWS street (79th) of where I saw this tree featured in the image directly atop this poting.As you may notice, "crocheted artwork with gaudy pink and yellow flowers, a purple peace sign and a portrait of Lennon in shades against a background of brightly colored stripes" is affixed to it.
When I saw the tree this past October it was by chance for I had no idea that it exsisted, nor did I know the tree's decor was created by Carmen Paulino; and it had been featured in an article published by The WestSide Rag (AKA TWR and where the quote above was included).
Upon my noticing this tree, I contacted the editor (MM) of "I love The Upper Westside", a publication who has featured my work, and proposed that I do an article about it, as I was intrigued by the fact that it stands directly across from Dr. Gary Tracy Optometry & Eyewear; an eyewear/eye exam place (210 West 79th) where photos of Lennon wearing eye-glasses can be found in the window.
Some images of this are feature below.
MM informed me he had published an article about the tree this past July, which of course I didn't know, or I would not have pitched the idea.
However, upon my checking out his article, I saw no mention of the Lennon connection with Tracy's eyewear/eye exam place. I did a lot of research and found very interesting material related to Dr. Tracy and John Lennon and on this fortieth anniversary of the assassination, I'll share links (via the following list) to my findings for anyone who might be interested.An Optometrist Recalls Late-Night Chats With John Lennon, and That Awful Night Exactly 37 Years Ago
John Lennon’s optometrist gets emotional over recovered memorabilia
John Lennon’s Optometrist Looks Back
John Lennon's Eye Doctor Looks Back at Beatle on Anniversary of his Death
As for other matters related to John Lennon's life on the UWS and his ultimate death, I have included them in an article ("illustrated" with photos) which was published by MM last year on 12-8-2019, the thirty-ninth anniversary of Lennon' being killed.
I was a bit surprised to learn that MM has republished that article for the fortieth anniversary but I guess for those who may not have had a chance to see it at that time, I should be glad if they can see it now.
I imagine (excuse the pun) many people (even with social distancing) will head over to Central Park to pay Lennon homage at The Imagine Circle (pictured below)...
... and perhaps while in the park, they may even take notice of the rocks by Strawberry Fields. These rocks were evidently inspirational to John Lennon and they are the inspiration for my kaleidoscopic art print titled Rocks by Strawberry Fields, which can be seen in the photo-op below taken when it wa featured in a 2002 NYC gallery exhibition.
Rocks by Strawberry Fields, can now be rendered (by Fine Art America AKA FAA) on to an array of surfaces for wall art (including acrylic, canvas, metal, poster-paper, special weighted art paper, and wood) in varting sizes and as a framed print.
FAA can also render this image on to household as well as personal use items.
Samples of all of this can be sen in the next sequence of pictures.
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| CAN BE RENDERED ON A FEW SURFACES |
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| GREETING CARD DETAILS |
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| INFO RE SHOWER CURTAIN |
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| INFO RE DUVET COVER |
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| INFO RE THROW PILLOWS |
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| INFO RE TOTE BAGS |
As I mentioned in my 2019 article for "I Love the UWS," I’d like to remind folks that Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, “prefers to focus on October 9th (as) the date of her husband’s birth, rather than the grim anniversary that arrives each December.”
Therefore, out of respect for her wishes, and to avoid focusing on any other “grim details,” I hope my sharing how the rocks by Stawberry Fields have inspired me does not seem disrespectful on this somber day, but rather, my musings has seen as a tribute to the on-going inspirration he left behind for Dr. Gary Tracy, for Carmen the crochet artist, for myself and countless others.
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