Strawberry Fields

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I have discovered that there is nothing more fun than exploring New York City with two young adults!

We were there in late Dec 2024/early Jan 2025, my daughter was almost 17, and my nephew almost 19.

For our New York adventure, my nephew had been tasked with a mission from Australia. He brought with him a little green duck that my brother had made, with the request to take it to Strawberry Fields for John Lennon.

Upon arriving at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, we found the beautiful Imagine mosaic, a small band playing John Lennon’s music, rays of sunlight effortlessly deflecting the chill of winter, and a quiet hush from the people milling around.

The area had a very special feeling—warmth, respect, awe, tinged with gentle sadness, and underscored with deep appreciation.

We sat for a good while, lost in our thoughts as the sun kissed our cheeks, and the music held us aloft.

We took some photos of the little duck sitting on the mosaic.

The band wrapped up, and a single guitarist picked up the torch. But with the silence and shuffle between the performers, the spell broke and we shifted in our seats.

My nephew was hesitant to leave the little duck on the mosaic, worried that someone might take him (150% guaranteed).

Instead, we decided to find a place within the acres of Strawberry Fields to leave the little duck for John.

We found a little hollow tree stump and, careful not to be seen, nestled him safely inside. We took some photos of him happily looking up at us, and then, saying our goodbyes, carefully covered him with autumn leaves.

Bye, little green duck!

Thank you for sending us to Strawberry Fields, Thorin! 💚

A Gift for John Lennon

Acrylic on canvas 30.5 x 30.5 cms (12×12 inches) by Arwen Munro, January 2025. Painted at The Music Box, Ambleside, West Vancouver, Canada.

Have a wonderful day! 🌱

8 thoughts on “Strawberry Fields”

  2. That’s a lovely effect with the acrylic…have you ever tried chalk pastel? That’s what it ressembled at first…(twas my brother’s specialty)

    • I haven’t played with chalk pastel yet, maybe on my next visit to the art store…
      I want to see more of your brother’s work!
      Thank you, Joan 💚

  3. Was there any significance in sending a duck? A Lennon song?
    Looking it up online I found this and loved it:
    “duck metaphor” compares a situation to a duck gliding calmly on the water’s surface while its feet paddle furiously underneath.
    The perfect description of a parent!

    • Good question! I’ll have to ask Thorin.
      That said, I have two little ducks that Thorin gave me; they live on my bedside table. One is my authentic self (imperfect), and the other is my idealised self (perfection). I love them and they serve as a reminder that we are lovable, imperfect, and all.
      I love that metaphor and your likening it to being a parent! Yes!! 💚

  4. Love this post. I am a big John Lennon fan and i’m sure he would have loved your gesture of leaving the little green duck in the hollow of a tree. I also loved your painting as well. Well done!

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