Lynn
Loscutoff: Art Mistress on the Queen Mary II Maiden Voyage
Last check of suit cases, packed: easel, paper, watercolor paints,
fivebeaded gowns, my books, A Travelers Guide to Painting
Watercolor and Painter's Wild Workshop,
paint brushes and lots of excited anticipation. Flew to London to
board the Queen Mary II for her two week her maiden voyage from Southampton.
Her 1,300 crew members on this trip would include me, as the Art
Mistress. I am in the category enrichment and entertainment.
The Royal Navy band was playing below on the pier. There was a sense
of great joy and excitement in the air. We knew that fireworks had
been planned for the sail away, but not until the horn blew, the band
played and the passengers danced and waved flags on the top decks
did we feel the impact of the occasion.
The
response to my classes was overwhelming. I was able to teach in rooms
opened to accommodate 60 to 80 passengers. With such a large space
I could demonstrate full sheet watercolors from slides I had taken
in Monet's Garden. The technical arrangements on board are fantastic.
Push a button and a huge screen drops; over head projectors are built
in. The lighting was fabulous and we had so much room to critique
and to stand back and view our work. One day we arranged for the Ship's
Florist to design a massive flower arrangement for my class. He and
I discussed the similarly of designing flowers, sculpture or paintings.
Authors,
distinguished speakers and first rate entertainers have been brought
aboard. I feel so privileged to be among them. A book signing was
arranged for me in the library. My books A Travelers Guide
to Painting with Watercolor and Painters
Wild Workshop have been very useful to me and helpful
to the passengers. The library was most beautiful , over looking the
ship's bow and had overstuffed chairs to sit in.
On
our first stop at Madeira, I took my watercolor paper and small travel
painting set to capture the scene from above on a mountain tour. One
has to be so far away to illustrate the size and scale of the ship
in a harbor. I got a good start and would finish it on board. I also
took lots of photographs.
We
made many new friends. Some of the passengers may be joining me as
I take a group to paint in Monet's Garden in the September. I am so
happy that I shared this voyge with my sister Agnes. She has been
an invaluable assistant.
Coming into Ft. Lauderdale there was a big parade. The fire boats
were spewing red and blue streams of water. A Military boat with the
crew in full dress saluted us from the water. On land WELCOME QUEEN
MARY 2 was written in the sand. And yes, many of us shed tears. It
was truly an emotional moment. We were a part of history.
-
Lynn Loscutoff, Art Mistress Queen Mary II Maiden Voyage
