Elinor Woolf, my mother, died in August of 2017. Besides leaving behind loving memories, she also left hundreds of paintings. Most of these paintings had been in my attic for years collecting dust. When my sister first suggested after our mother’s death a get together for friends and family, “A celebration of life,” I was thrilled with the idea. But then she said, we can let people select a painting and make a contribution to a charity that supports young artist. I knew this was a good idea. But to give away my mother’s paintings? I felt like a pirate with a chest full of gold. Of course, the gold is supposed to be distributed among the crew. But the gold is mine, mine, I tell you it’s all mine. I am not a greedy pirate, although I may act like one at times.

My sister and brother, JoAnn Robbins, Bruce Woolf, and nephew Jesse Robbins, began to organize a celebration of life for our beloved Elinor Woolf. The event would be held at the greedy pirate’s and his wife’s house, Franklin and Anna Woolf in Teaneck, New Jersey. The celebration would be held on July 1, 2018. We would have it catered and set up a tent in the backyard. We would display my mother’s painting, and after a short service where people could tell stories and memories, they would be allowed to pick a painting. Guests could make a donation if they choose to a charity that Jesse set up in Elinor’s name. The donations would go to the “Seeds of the League”, run by the Art Students League of New York City. The money would be used to run programs for children. Her art being displayed in people’s home and at the same time earning money to help children would have made my mother very happy.

The event went off well with my cousin Allen opening the service by reading the Kiddush. This in spite of extreme heat and humidity. I will admit it did make me feel great pride in seeing people’s joy in obtaining one of my mother’s paintings. I am sure my brother and sister had similar feelings.

This website is intended for family and friends. However, anyone is welcomed to look at it and make comments. The website is a work in progress. My main goal, after much delay is to get this site posted. I will be making many changes as the months come. I will be reorganizing the paintings into subgroups. So far, I have only posted oils. Not shown are water colors, etchings, and mixed media. I also have stacks of sketching’s done in pencil and charcoal. It will take time to organize and photograph this body of work. In fact, it will take years. Unfortunately, my mother never dated her work. I do know when approximately when and where some were done. In the meantime, I hope people will enjoy and remember my mother through her art.

Franklin Woolf