WISHES

The painting of the wishbones might be finished.

WISHES (MINUET) 22" X 28"

I think they are dancing. The demands of this level of invention in imagery is both easier and harder. Mostly, its different

COMMODITIZATION OF ART

In a recent New Yorker article by Calvin Tomkins there was a discussion about the "commoditization of art". It was in an article about the new Metropolitan Museum of Art modern art wing which is actually another building. MOMA has a new building opening in March 2016. The Met has MOMA's old building for an expanded Met modern art department.

This is a detail from one of my small paintings. It is paint. Washes, fat paint, glazes, and changes.

Detail from this painting.

photograph by Christopher Zalesky, Inc.

 I know I am contemporary. I am alive now. I may not be "modern".



  

EXHIBIT AT ACC CYPRESS CAMPUS

 Today I hung four paintings in the hallway gallery at ACC Cypress Campus. I always assign my students self portraits so I try to include one of mine when I put paintings in the hallway.

 Then I put up an old one, BUFFALO DAWN, but it is very big and colorful. I don't have a photograph of the roses. Then a recent work, GOLDEN CHEEK WARBLER, to balance the old one. I'm lucky to have this neutral space to hang work. I see changes, changes.

ANN KITCHEN SHOWS PAINTING AT CITY HALL

MOM AT NURSING HOME WINDOW

Ann Kitchen's office called today and asked if they could hang my painting in their offices. I'm honored. She has artists in her family. Today was pick-up day for the People Gallery's 2015 exhibit at City Hall. Ann Kitchen has an exhibit from Thornton Road Studios in her office, now. Her office will join the opening for the new People's Gallery exhibit on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, with a re-hanging of the art in her office. My painting stays in the same building, suite 2105, for 2016! It can come home later.

Brigid Shea was in Ann Kitchen's office when I delivered MOM AT NURSING HOME WINDOW. Brigid Shea asked if I was related to CrazyCarl Hickerson. We reminisced about Carl's adventures in politics.

WISHBONES

These chicken wishbone roasted, then boiled twice, they still have a faint odor of chicken. I know. They are collar bones. I saved chicken wishbones for the walk down memory lane of "make a wish" and trying with parents, brothers, sisters, friends and children.

 Noticing their cantilever and beauty, I glued them together. Now I am drawing them and priming a couple of canvases. What will they become? What will a child's game begin?

SKETCHING IN TRAFFIC

I sketched while driving. O-o-o- Dangerous! Worse than texting? I had a commute to South Austin to a 6:30 PM class. That's over, now. Nevertheless, I discovered a calming practice when the alleged traffic was more like "parking". Little doodles or sketches. It works to pass the time when waiting - in line, your turn, at the bank, etc.

Below - TRAFFIC SKETCHES 

SINGING "GRACE"

At Thanksgiving this year, we sang grace as taught by my Mom. It was a commercial from the Fred Waring Radio Show, daytime radio from the 1930's then later into the 1950's. I don't know who the sponsor was, who authored the song.

"Good health and wealth and joy about,
Whenever we gather to eat
And all the family gathered around
And on our table's meat,
Protein, Protein
and other good things to eat."
followed by
"We gather together
To ask the Lord's Blessing
Amen"