Thursday, July 8, 2021

Reconnected

This year has been strange and adapting to all the uncertainty was exhausting. I was lucky to be able to work from home but it had become extremely demanding. I was at my place all the time but between the emails, overtime, following the news, and trying to keep up with the daily chores, I hardly had any real time for myself. 

I wasn’t making as much art either. I love photography but I was mostly limited to things in my immediate environment. I love writing but I didn’t feel like I had the energy to delve inside myself. I wanted to draw more but I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired. So I returned to an old love: coloring.

It was peaceful, fun, and helped me feel like a kid again. Face down at my desk covered in pencil shavings and blasting music. That was how I spent a significant amount of my childhood. 

Some years ago I lost about half of my music from a computer glitch. Slowly I’d add songs back as they would flash in my memory. Over the last few months I rediscovered a lot of songs I hadn’t heard in years. Ones I remember singing along with my friends in high school. In a conversation with my mother I remarked about how they don’t have an oldies station on the radio anymore. That inspired me to find a bunch of songs I loved from the 50’s and 60’s. 

Senses flooded with familiar music and playing with color. It made me feel reconnected. 




































Monday, June 28, 2021

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

For Father’s Day weekend we took my dad to The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in downtown St.Petersburg. It was a beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated museum. 

Detail of “Pariskaroopa, Two Crows” by John Coleman

A close up of the eagle headdress.

Detail of “Addih-Hiddisch, Hidatsa Chief” by John Coleman 

Focusing on the geometric tattoos on the arm and torso.

Detail of “Bear’s Nest” by Dave McGary

Beautifully painted bronze.

Detail of “Dust Devil” by Nancy Glazier

“Bronco Break” by Thomas Blackshear II

A thoughtful depiction of the often under represented African American community in the west.

“Cooking on the Trail” by Benjamin Wu

A beautiful painting of women doing the difficult daily chores necessary for survival. 

“Eventide” by John Cogan

“Good Team” by Jie Wei Zhou

Immigration and the hope of a better life.

“Telling of the Secret Path” by C. Michael Dudash

Native Americans listening to a missionary. A quote from the artist: “My goal wasn’t to pass judgement on this subject one way or another, but to creat a work that highlighted the efforts of good people on both sides who struggled to find common ground.”

Detail of “Abstract Crown Dancer” by Allan Houser

“Corn Pendant” by Charles Supplee

“Number 8 Teardrop Necklace” by Joe Piaso, Jr.

“Female White Yei” by Fred Stevens Jr. 

“Name Me After Sunrise #4” by Darren Vigil Gray

“Ceremonial Song” by Ron “R.S.” Riddick

“The Honor Dress” by Dave McGary

“A Swirl in Rhythm” by Fred Fields

“Seminole Warrior” by David Yorke

“Cheyenne Burning of Fort Phil Kearny, 1868” by Z.S. Liang

“Quiet Farewell” by David Mann

“Tradition” by Marilyn Bendell

“The Blue Star Quilt” by Don Crowley

“The Final Touch” by David Yorke

“High Desert Clouds” by Ed Mell 

“Destroy the Myth” by Nneka Jones 

This piece was in the REVERBERATIONS exhibit; which explores racism, oppression, hope and resilience. It was about the perception of femininity and was done as embroidery on canvas. The detail and skill were extraordinary.

Detail of “Destroy the Myth” by Nneka Jones

“Quilt Exhibition” by Eluster Richardson

“The Grace” by Basil Watson

A representation of the harsh reality of slavery. Expertly crafted but full of emotion and difficult to view. 

“We the People…” by J.D. Challenger

A Native American kneeling upon a copy of the Constitution while offering his pipe as a gesture of peace.

Detail of “Pash-ee-pa-hó, Little Stabbing Chief” by John Coleman 

“A Mirror Image of an Imperfect World” by Billy Schenck

“Navajo Mother” by Maynard Dixon

“Nocturne Bloom” by Ed Mell

Saturday, June 26, 2021

First Sight

 Quite literally the first thing I see every morning, inches from my face, as soon as my eyes are open. 



Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Nothing But Smiles


Peyton with Amber. Nothing but smiles at his sister’s track meet.