Tardy 2014-W22

Wow, what a super-late posting!  Another busy day in the yard, with some bursts of painting interspersed.  And then I finally finished up after an hour of lazy recovery.

If the United Kingdom still had an empire...

They don't, of course, although that news seems to have escaped the notice of many who live there. But if they did have that empire, this would be the leader of the free world.

So see, things could be worse.  Enjoy the last few minutes of May, and I hope your June gets off on a good foot.  Cheerio!

Derp

Dig it 2014-W21

I'm in a hurry today as I have a lot of toil in my landscape ahead of me.  For starters, three rosebushes to plan.  Dig dig dig.  Plant plant plant.  Ache ache ache.  Still, worth the effort once they bloom — which won't be long off from the looks of it.

Owing to the rush, I wouldn't put forward today's painting as a Best Of candidate, but good enough considering I only spent an hour or so.  I didn't think much of Secretary Geithner when he was heading the Treasury department but his assessment of today's subject was accurate and succinct, and I thought it a suitable title.  Although I hasten to add that our subject is also an adulterer and self-confessed felon.  Nice trifecta.

Dick

Old Red 2014-W20

It's nearly 20 years now since I moved into my current domicile, but that was in autumn so this is really only my 19th springtime here.  But heck, close enough.  The back yard didn't have much going for it back then.  One bright spot was a solitary red tulip near a corner of the garage.

Who planted it remains a mystery.  And not a compelling one so no effort was put into discovering who or when someone buried that bulb.  But it sure is a hardy fellow.  Year in, year out, with not much care (other than what force majeure furnishes) it has bloomed.  And so it came into flower again this year.

Seeing it cheers me, and after all these years I guess it is as good as any other old friend.  "Haven't seen you in a while..." and then we settle into familiar and comfortable old rhythms.  I leave that little corner of the yard unbothered, and if a squirrel is foolish enough to start digging around there, squirrel gets a taste of whatever is handy to throw.  Don't mess with my friend, you lousy tree rat.

As we do with our other old friends, I overlook it's flaws.  It isn't my favorite type of tulip and I don't like red flowers.  My garden is much grander nowadays and so spring means a lot of backbreaking work lies ahead. I frown at the thought.  But as I begin raking the winter detritus from his spot I think "I hope Old Red comes back" and I work more happily, confident he will soon arise as we move through the cycle once more.

Old Red

"M" is For... 2014-W19

"M" is for the many things she gave me...   thus begins an old-timey song.  Once we put them (letters) all together, they spell
M-O-T-H-E-R.  She who, I just learned, typically devoted 90 minutes of her day just to you.  That's why she deserves a bunch of flowers and a nice phone call tomorrow, if nothing else.  And you let her talk as long as she wants, dammit.

After her high school graduation my mom joined the Navy, where she met and later married my dad.  Eleven months later, an angelic baby named "me" was born and thus began her nearly 30-year run of raising and eventually evicting her three sons.

Not surprisingly, we were a handful but by 1976 our baby was almost a teenager and mom waxed nostalgic about her high school experiences as an award winning artist. She decided to explore the exciting new world of acrylic paints, and over the course of I forget how many days/weeks she patiently labored over an atmospheric landscape painting that she gifted to dad.  The unnamed landscape hung proudly in their home ever since. 

Oddly, mom never again picked up a brush (except to paint walls) and would go years between a bit of dabbling with a sketching pencil.  Nevertheless, it was her example and encouragement that ultimately led me to my own quest at artmaking.

* * * * *

Our beloved mother passed away late last year and recently she was interred in the national cemetery next to our father.  But it may surprise you to learn that she was the war veteran who earned them that privilege; dad rode in on her coattails.  We her sons of course knew about her service, but only in the last year or so did we come to realize how extraordinary it was.  

I'll tell you what, if you need someone's assistance at the VA or any military bureaucracy to cut through some red tape, find any woman on their staff and tell her your mother was a Korean War Veteran.  Without exception, they will bend over backwards to help and unabashedly will tell you how they owe so much to women like mom, who broke ground and paved they way for their careers in the military.  That is humbling and gratifying.

If you've never attended one, a military funeral is a dignified and wrenching ceremony filled with symbolism and respectfully conducted by an solemn honor guard.  We all know the opening strains of "Taps" but in no way does that prepare you for the upwelling of emotions and tears it cues in such a setting.  As the ceremony concluded, I was presented the flag by a Commander as he intoned, "on behalf of the President of the United States, the US Navy and a grateful Nation..."

* * * * *

I'm now custodian of that flag and the aforementioned landscape painting until both pass down to our family's young generation. Two boys and fortunately we have two flags.  And two of mom's artworks because in addition to the landscape we also have the high school artwork for which she won the regional award.

I have long perceived that landscape as a seminal work for me even though I did not paint it, because of what it inspired me to try. And so today as we celebrate mothers — but mostly in honor of her life, I present this fine work by Mary Ellen Campbell.  Thanks Mom, for everything.  Wish I could phone you and say so.

Untitled

Go Fish 2014-W18

Been a long time since I played that.  Got any 3's?  During one of our polar vortex weeks I alluded to another series but withheld details until now.  Though as big reveals go, I would dial your expectations way back.

Whereas the series is meant for small pieces of paper, it interested me to make a bigg'un first.   Tiny editions to follow over spring and summer, and here on 10x7 paper and without further ado, number one...

Fish Fly 0

p.s. I don't know what it's called or what it's meant to lure. Sorry!