Dear Keith,
I went to UMASS in 1984. If you were a painter back then, I have one of your paintings which I got when painting school was throwing out some works. It's a painting of two women bathing—one woman hidden behind a screen—the colors are pinks and green, very Louis Valtat esq. I have kept it all these many years. It's been in NYC 20 years now (since 1996).
Are you the same Keith Freedman as inscribed on the back of the painting? I can send you an image if you like? It's 46 x 36 inches.
All the best,
Eric
The email came to me as I kept Keith's portfolio website up and running for several years. Of course, I responded immediately, told him the sad news about Keith, and of course asked to see the painting.
In a follow-up email, Eric wrote:
Hi Michael. Attached is an image of my Keith Freedman. Everyone always compliments me about it, guests and clients who visit my home in Brooklyn and my entire family is fascinated that I still have the work and haven’t sold it. It’s so good- it will live with me forever.
When I received the photo, I was in awe. It's so beautiful, and so Keith. Of course I asked — hope against hope — if I could purchase the painting. (I only have one of Keith's works, an abstract, but I've always loved his figurative pieces). I don't blame Eric for not wanting to let go of it.
The painting is so very trademark Keith Freedman. The geometry, the flattened space, the sophisticated palette, and the purity of the moment. And this was done when he was an undergrad. I like to imagine what Keith would be painting today.
In any event, I'm sorry I haven't posted recently, and that I waited so long to share this with Keith's friends and family. It's nice to know that Keith's work is still around, still appreciated.
