In article titled Clark Lake’s Crime of the Century, this website unpacked the story of how a painting came to be, was hung on a cottage living room wall in 1932, eventually loaned for the walls of the Community Center, and then disappeared, seemingly forever.
The painting is mural of Clark Lake. Like all works of art, it was created from the mind of the artist. In her view of Clark Lake, a sea serpent moved from Kentucky Point to the west end, and a biplane delivered airmail. Plus the non-fictional sights most of us know about–Pleasant View, Ocean Beach, C.B. Hayes cottage and boats on the lake.
The large mural was on loan at the Community Center, courtesy of Flip and Linda Reynolds. (To read a more complete history of the painting, please click here). Then disaster. On August 2, 2006, a person or persons broke into the Community Center and cut the painting out of its frame. Left behind were the remnants of the frame and plywood. The painting has never emerged.
What did survive is one photograph of this piece of Clark Lake history. The picture was taken at an angle as it hung on the wall at the top of the stairs of the Community Center. Why take a careful photo if you could look at the original anytime?
Through the miracle tools of Photoshop and Corel Aftershot–and after several hours behind a computer screen–this image emerged.
Could the photo be reprinted? “Yes” was the answer, but not to its full 4′ x 8′ size. By printing it on a canvas-like material, it could have a feel similar to the original. Tucker Boyers quoted Flip Reynolds in a View article from 2009, “you could look at it over and over again and always spot something different each time.” Some of that detail lived on in this reproduction presented to Flip and Linda Reynolds by a friend.
Today the canvas-like photo hangs above the mantle of the Reynolds’ fireplace.
Wonderful friend!
The painting was awesome. I would stop and look at it every time I went upstairs at the Community Center. Love it that you have a smaller but awesome copy.
Great that a reproduction of the painting now exists. Glad that it hangs in Flip and Linda’s home. I remember viewing the original in the late fifties or early sixties at the Reynolds’ cottage. Betsy Reynolds (now deceased) and I were teen pals and used to hang out at the Clark Lake Playhouse at Pleasant View, Elsie’s and other Lake landmarks
What a terrible shame that the painting was stolen.
I have a childhood memory of this painting when I was invited to Betsy’s Cottage by Flip and my father, Tom Dodge. I remember standing in front of the painting for at least a half an hour, while they hit golf balls into a boat. It was an amazing painting, the detail was astonishing , so much so that I still remember it today, 38 years later.
A special thank you goes out to the Reynolds Family for allowing me to have that happy memory.
I know how much the painting meant to the family.
Thank you to the person for helping in the recreation of their family memory.
I have a vague memory of that painting and remember wondering how I could get a ride in that sea plane. I remember Flip and Linda from the early days of the Pine Rider’s Ski Club formation when they were both youngsters back in the “Hey Days” of water skiing around 1955 or thereabouts. No matter where I went, growing up at Clark Lake is part of my fondest memories.
Jon Broderick
I lived next door to the Reynolds growing up at Clarklake. The painting had
almost a mystical quality to it. It was a great historical piece of Clarklake art
work. I hope someday it turns up. Carl Spaeth Q Lane
So happy to see this! It’s a classic and thought it was gone for good. Thanks to a friend!