Numbers with meaning in my mother's painting

In 2022 my mother's paintings were selected for #ArtOnLink kiosks, an NYC public art program. While waiting for a light at 58th & Lex, I spied my grandmother in "Midtown Deli," a painting from my mother's "Midtown Merchants" series.

The moment was one of many signs after my mother's death. My mother had rendered the old lady in the painting unintentionally as her mother.  Most of the time signs came in numbers. I pulled out my camera from my purse to take pictures of the kiosk before the image flipped.

The first picture I took was a long shot.

As I zoomed in, an "11" appeared then a "9". 

I noticed the patterns of numbers in the painting itself: "222" in the menu sign behind the deli clerk, and the row of 7-Up bottles at the bottom. Twos mean new beginnings and positive change; the three 7s, divine intervention and good luck. I took these pictures on 11/7/2022.

"Midtown Deli" 1986 (link to studies)
watercolor and pastel, 27 in. x 36 in.
© Barbara Boyd Carter /Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

"Midtown Deli" was the Savoy Market in 1986, at 940 Second Avenue, a couple blocks from her apartment on Beekman Place. It's been replaced by an apartment building.

Savoy Market, 940 Second Ave.
artist reference photo

The painting can be seen in a group show at Huntington Arts Council May 5th thru June 7th

123 Main Street (Rte 25-A), Huntington, Long Island

Hours: Tues-Fri 11-4 pm, phone 631-271-8243

Debbie Carter

(212) 925-3721, landline, no texts

villagerexpat@aol.com