When I vote I think of this young man.
Thursday, October 29, 2020
HAVE YOU VOTED YET?
When I vote I think of this young man.
Thursday, October 22, 2020
A Great Organization that I'm Thrilled to be a Part of
Friday, October 23, 2020 7pm-8pm EST
DIRECT ZOOM LINK HERE
or
ZOOM MEETING ID: 860 4555 4873
PASSWORD: NYAC
Thursday, October 15, 2020
October Birthdays
My grandson, Teddy, was born by caesarian section. When he was really little, well, bigger than this,
he asked his mom for some details about his birth.
Where did they cut you so I could get out of your tummy?
She pointed to her side.
Didn't that hurt? he asked.
No, they give you medicine so it doesn't hurt.
And when did that happen?
October 16th.
On My Birthday?!
A birthday is always cause for celebration and this month we have many celebrations.
Eleanor Roosevelt, for one; First Lady of the world, born October 11, 1884. Here is her statue, standing in Riverside Park at 72nd Street. She, that is her statue, was spotted a while ago wearing a mask. Well, of course, she would have worn a mask. What did she say?
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
And..."The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
My cousin Tom was born on October 31, Hallowe'en. I imagine when he was little he thought everyone gave out candy in honor of him! Also born in October--Picasso, John Lennon, and Chuck Berry.
AND, my brother Rob, October 22. He started out as a press photographer, and I'm sure you've seen his shot of Bernie Sanders celebrating his victory as Mayor of Burlington, VT.
But now Rob shoots birds.
He's good, isn't he? I've saved a lot of his images with a thought of copying them--rather, using his images as inspiration and incorporating them into my own work. Should I ask him first or surprise him? I've also studied John James Audubon; I think Rob is an Audubon for our time. I'm sure the birds themselves much prefer Rob's technique, as Audubon killed his models and pinned them into "lifelike" poses.
Both of these pelicans are taken from Audubon. What word should I use here--copied? borrowed? inspired by? You tell me.
I'd say I'm a shameless thief. But Frank Mason, revered teacher at the Art Students League said, "If you take from another artist be sure to steal it. If you borrow you have to give it back."
This is what Rob says.
"Mother Nature is an extraordinary artist. I am honored to plagiarize her."
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Take up the Collection
I wrote about Aunt Connie and her collections and she was a great inspiration to me but there are many collectors in my life. My Dad collected coins, stamps, and owls because he liked to say he was a wise old bird. Mom collected giraffes and castiron Boston terriers.
I collect collections. You may not believe this but I hate clutter. I live by William Morris's golden rule;
Friday, October 2, 2020
Something I didn't know I love
Another Artist I Love but First
Last week I forgot to say Mazel Tov to Jon Ossof, Georgia's first Jewish senator, and now the youngest member of that august group. I ...


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Keep this young patriot in your thoughts today. Molly Louise Baler will be eligible to vote in 2029; her first presidential election will be...
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Tuesday was the birthday of my brother, Alan Richard Swanson. Here we are in our early days. I can’t say I greeted him with open arms, desp...
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You are all so smart, and kudos to your Civics teachers! Yes, this is the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, ren...
