I know this isn’t puppet-related per se, but this morning I received the news that one of my artistic heroes passed away at the age of 91. I have been a fan of both he and his father N.C. Wyeth all my life and have made the trip a couple of times to see the Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania where their work is on display. I have always connected with his philosophy of art and his unique way of looking at things.

In 1997, without my knowing, my father wrote a letter to him about me and my brother, Sean. In the letter, my father told him how much we were influenced by his work and were looking to carve our own paths artistically. To my utter shock and amazement, he wrote us both personal letters, which apparently was pretty rare. The letter reads “Dear Philip Hatter, The reason for this brief note concerns a most remarkable letter by your father about you.  With such a father you should go far.  Sincerely, Andrew Wyeth.”

I will always cherish this letter and the sentiment behind it.

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