Five things out my window

I can count on seeing something amazing every Wednesday. You see, that’s the day that I set aside to volunteer at the Desert Botanical Garden, here in Phoenix.

This week was no different. I saw a roadrunner’s nest high up in some cactus, and a little later watched three hummingbirds as they fought over their territories. I have also been keeping tabs on some quail eggs for a few weeks now. The eggs were found in a potted plant on a potting table, and am very eager to see if they hatch. The garden is an amazing place, but I sometimes take my own backyard for granted, and forget that I have just as much excitement outside my very own window. Here are 5 things going on this week at my own house.

• Every year at this time, grackles (illustration above) take over my backyard. It’s pretty much guaranteed that there will have at least one nest in one of the trees, and like clockwork, May will bring many new grackle babies to the world. How cute… right? Well, not really. Frankly, their noisy clicks and high-pitched squeaks drown out the other song birds. And, it’s not the loveliest of songs. But to be fair, they just me to know that they have babies, and warn the others about me. Although, when the other family members heed the call, and arrive to harass and dive-bomb me, it’s a bit scary. dive-bombing birds

Phoenix can be windy, and a few of the hatchlings will fall out of their nests. Most will not make it, or hurt themselves, and it is up to me to decide the fate of these little newborns. Put them out of their misery, let them suffer, or wait for the neighbor’s cat to take care of them? It’s a hard choice. Some might land into the pool, or are thirsty and look for water, so they fall in. So, I have been on bird watch these days, and I keep my eye out for casualties and fatalities. It’s a hard life for a bird.

• While the grackles takes over the back yard, the front yard is dominated by the Northern Mockingbird. Because of the neighbor’s lights, this bird thinks it is daytime, and will chatter through the night. Phoenix is already too hot in the evenings for the windows to be open (the air conditioning has been on for the past two weeks now), so I am glad that the windows block out their noises. Because they mimic other birds and noises they hear, I could have sworn the trees were full of birds. I have been hearing this mockingbird for years, and I sure hope he finds his (a friend told me it is a male) mate!

• It might sound like I have some problems with birds. Not true. I really love them, but sometimes I like them more on my coffee table, in a book. So, I just ordered ‘America’s Other Audubon’. The illustrator, Genevieve Jones, inspired by John James Audubon, decided to illustrate all 130 bird species in her hometown state of Ohio. Sadly, she only competed five drawings before contacting typhoid fever and dying. Now, over 100 years later, her labor of love was finally completed by the illustrator, Joy M. Kiser with this completed book. The drawings are beautiful.

• The Blue Dasher Dragonflies that hang around my backyard, are hands down, my favorites. For some reason, there are always three of these guys every summer, arriving about the same time every year. I’ve asked some experts, “Why there are always three”, but nobody seems to know. If you have an answer, please let me know.

  I love them for many reasons. They keep the pool (almost) bug-free, and that is aces in my book. They’re incredibly curious, and will get up right in my face to check me out. They like to be higher than everything else in the yard, so they’ll land on my head just to take in the view. And, if I hold up my finger up the air, they will often land there, and stay for awhile.

• Last Sunday, the southwestern states were lucky to see a rare solar eclipse. I was outside on the street with my pinhole projector to catch the sight. I should have thought it through a little more. The pinhole technique really didn’t work that well, so I was lucky when a neighbor joined me  and brought his welding mask to view through. It really was an amazing site that I will never forget.

From now on, I might just stay around the house, and the yard for all of the excitement that surrounds me.

Above photo: grackles by The National Geographic

5 things to watch this week.

Get out the popcorn… fire up the television (and the computer)… and crank up the ac! Summer is coming, and there is a lot of watch without spending a lot of money. Here are five things that I am watching this week.

It is hard for me to believe, but I have never read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Moby Dick, or dozens of other classic books. So, I am giving it a go. This summer is the time to check off some of those classics that I have been wanting to read for a long time. In addition, there is a long list of classic movies that I have never seen, and it has become my goal to catch up with a few in the comfort of my home. Even though Memorial Day is weeks away, summer is bearing down where I live, and it is nice to be inside.

My first classic movie choice was the 1955 classic, Les Diaboliques. This French stunner was worth the wait. In a nutshell, two women plan the murder of an abusive man. Simone Signoret is the cool and calm leader, and is the perfect foil to Véra Clouzot’s fragile and nervous character. If you’ve seen the film, you don’t need to be reminded what a fun, scary, and thrilling movie this is. But, for those who haven’t, it is the perfect summer horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to watch it all over again this week to see just how he plot played out.

Speaking of women gone bad, Girls, the new show on HBO, is fast becoming one of my favorite half hours on television. This show portrays four  young women who continually seem to make bad decisions. Their youth, awkwardness, sexual awakenings, and insecurities are a train wreck, but the show’s creator Lena Dunham, sets the right tone, and makes the viewer root for these fragile “girls”.

Veep, another HBO show, keeps me laughing every Sunday night. In my opinion, an often-compared show, The West Wing took itself too seriously, and was a bit preachy. And, Veep is the show I’ve been waiting for. It takes a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a (fictional) vice-presidential office. The goal for everyone in the office (and out), is power, and their Washington beltway isolation keeps them tripping over themselves to get that power. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and the cast couldn’t be any better than this.

The premise of this reality show, The Pitch (on AMC) is that (each week) two ad agencies pitch for a company’s new business. In a week, they must present their ideas for some real work. Winner takes all.

In a former life, I worked at various advertising agencies as an art director, and I was really unsure about watching this show. I didn’t know if it could truly capture the week in the life of an agency looking to produce creative work, but I have been pleasantly surprised. The show doesn’t always make these agencies look good, or glamorize the creative process. It does give the viewer a glimpse of some of the anxiety, the arrogance, and the sometimes blatant misuse of young talent, that goes on when the heat is on. Every week we are told that this pressure is in the name of creative excellence, but we have to wonder what happens after the cameras are off, and the pitch is over. These agencies are hungry, and that hunger shows.

But, even in 2012, it still looks like advertising is a man’s world, with a few woman here and there, who are there to rein creatives in. As I have always know, this is good television.

For something different to watch, check out the work of choreographer and dancer, Ann Carlson and video artist, Mary Ellen Strom. I first saw the video, Sloss, Kerr, Rosenberg and Moore at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art last year, and again, at the Boston Museum of Art. This video has four actual lawyers “dancing” to their own beat in the lobby of an office building. Their movements, tics, and shouts are absurd. I don’t have any idea what Ms. Carlson and Ms. Strom are trying to say in this video, but I don’t think that matters much. It is funny, open to interpretation,  and great fun to watch.

Have a great week!

5 big things

My five things of the week page is usually about popular culture, the arts, or some tidbit that I read or heard about. I promise to continue writing about the fluff that interests me next week, but there were some things in the news that have me thinking about. I was torn about writing about politics, as I just know enough to get me in trouble. So, believe me, I am not suggesting a political debate, or telling you how to think. I can only commenting from my heart, and these are the five things that I am thinking about this week.

• When we are young, most of us make some incredibly bad decisions. We might have done things that we regret, and wish we could turn back the clock and start over. Teenagers have a rough time fitting in, and going along with the mob is sometimes inevitable. I am sure that Mitt Romney is no different, and got caught up in a moment when allegedly he bullied a fellow student at the prestigious prep school, Cranbrook.I have been on the other side of bullying, and what bothers me most is that he does not remember the incident, or is just saying that he does not remember. I am not sure that I can trust in a candidate who does not remember harassing anyone. Is it because he is not empathetic, or was this just an everyday occurrence for him? I hope that he is just saying he does not remember because of the pickle he is in, and will find his way out. But until he talks about this incident, I cannot be sure about his character.

• It didn’t matter whether the student Mr. Romney allegedly harassed was gay or not, bullying is bullying. But, I am proud that our president has stood up for gay marriage. There is suspicion that this a political move, and I guess, all moves, are in an election year. It doesn’t matter to me. A president that stands up for equal rights is a president that I can support. Sometimes it seems like Mr. Obama has not stood up for hope we can believe in, so a monumental move like this can give me hope for more equality in the world.

• When The Beastie Boys first started out they made a bad decision or two, apologized, and were forgiven. Their music was what mattered however, and they contributed to the soundtrack of my life. So, I was saddened that Adam Yauch passed away over the weekend. I am pretty sure the Beasties will continue, although it can never be the same as it was.Throughout their long career, the Beastie Boys always evolved, and were still as relevant as they were 25 years ago. These white kids came from the rough New York streets of the early 80’s, where they heard a mix of  rap, punk, rock, Latin, and ska sounds to mash up as their own. I have been listening to them all week, thinking about my first trip to NYC back when I was as young as they were.

• Childhood is scary, and Maurice Sendak was not shy about writing about any of it. We probably all remember reading Where the Wild Things Are or In the Night Kitchen when we were very young. More likely, we were read the story by eager parents looking for a little bite in their children’s books. But, I don’t think I loved his books until I was much older, and really understood the complexity, brilliant illustrations and storytelling. His work was a big inspiration to me when I started working as an illustrator, and he will not be forgotten. Please, check out his other books!

• Lastly, I want to wish my mom a wonderful mother’s day. I will be celebrating her on this day, and this year as she turns 75 years this summer. The longer I know her, the more I learn about her and about life. I love you, mom!

Above photo: My mother and I in Richmond, Virginia.

Five of the week

This week, I’ve been fortunate to have some free time to paint. It has been a luxury and a pleasure. It is a time to loose myself in my work, listen to music and NPR, and think about artists that I love and admire. Here are some of the things that have been on my mind.

• Sadly, I will not be able to visit Paris any time soon, but if I did, I would head on over the to see the Robert Crumb retrospective at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. It is his first ever, anywhere, and he has been one of my inspirational heroes since high school. If I were lucky enough to be there, I would also check out Christopher Wool’s work. The Americans are taking over Paris!

• Since I can’t get to France, I am excited to read two books by a pair of my favorite “underground comix” stars. Blabber, Blabber, Blabber by Lynda Barry came out this fall, and Is That All There Is? by the Dutch artist, Joost Swarte will arrive on book shelves this summer. Their work couldn’t be more different. Ms. Barry’s best work is personal and autobiographical. Her work can be funny and poignant at the same time. On the other hand, Mr. Swarte’s graphic and colorful work bridges modern graphic novels with a look reminiscent of the heyday of 1940’s newspaper comics. His work is sometimes surreal, sometimes jokey, and sometimes thought-provoking.

• Speaking of Dutch artists… Rineke Dijkstra is a phenomenal portrait photographer (Say that fast, five times!). Ms. Dijkstra is known for her photographs of adolescents at the beach, but has photographed soldiers, students, bull fighters, and new mothers. These people seems to be at transitional times in their lives, and are captured without props or background distractions. She currently has an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and would be a nice companion to seeing the Cindy Sherman exhibit currently at MOMA in New York.

• While painting, I have been listening to Amadou and Mariam. This musical couple got their start in Mali, but ended up in the Ivory Coast. Even though this married couple is blind, they are a musical force and is just one of the amazing talent coming out of Africa. Of course, African music is amazingly diverse, and not represented by any one style, but if you have never heard much from this continent, Amadou and Mariam will transport you to musical heaven.

• It embarrasses me that I have never been aware of Nick Drake’s music until recently. Sadly, he only made three complete albums, and died in 1974. But, his music sounds fresh, lonely and sad, and always interesting. It is better late than never for me, and, I have a feeling that I will be listening to his work for the rest of my life.

Top photo: Amadou and Mariam from their official website.
Bottom photo: Photograph © Rineke Dijkstra, ‘Villa Franca, Portugal, May 8th, 1994

5 from the Boston MFA

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is one of my favorite places. After moving to Boston back in the late 80’s, I visited the museum (almost) every Saturday for two years. You see, it was free on Saturday mornings, and it was a great way to start off the weekend. It didn’t hurt that I was broke (and a cheap skate).

I did eventually became a member, and if I do say so, became an expert on the ins and outs of the place. But, after moving to Phoenix ten years ago, and with the recent addition of the beautiful American Wing, I hardly know the place. I am happy to know that my favorite works are still there, looking better than ever.

I thought it would be a fun challenge to narrow down the five works of art that I absolutely cannot miss at the MFA. So, here is the list I gathered from my visit last week. Apologies for the heavy-handed painting-bias, but these are true loves of mine. Here are five works of art that I’d recommend you check out on your next visit.

• Before I moved to Boston, I did know much about John Singleton Copley, and have since realized that many non-New Englanders do not either. Embarrassingly, I was not even a big fan of Colonial American work in a city full of early American history. And, that was my bad.Copley has become one of my favorite painters, and Watson and the Shark is one painting that I cannot get enough of. It is my number one must see. It’s got everything; it is based on an actual event, it’s got gore and horror, it is thrilling and romanticized, and while it is one of three produced, it is still special. It would surprise me if you did not become a fan of John Singleton Copley after seeing this work. But, if you need convincing about his talent, check out of his portraits including; A Boy with a Flying Squirrel (Henry Pelham), or his portrait of Paul Revere. These portraits, while careful and studied, are humanized, and are relatable to the viewer. They are not merely historical, but interesting, and real.

• If you are a John Singer Sargent fan, Boston is the place to be. His brilliant works are everywhere! They are found at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and The Clark, and the Triumph of Religion mural at the Boston Public Library is spectacular. Bostonians are privileged to have the paintings, Helen Sears, the Nude Study of Thomas E. McKeller, and Fishing for Oysters at Cancale at the MFA. In addition, the museum has an incredible selection of works that they commissionedback in the 1920’s.But, my must-see work is The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit. It seems to be everyone’s favorite, and with good reason. It is a wonderfully beautiful portrait with a modern composition, and continues to enchant. It is a beauty! That is why I chose this work as my second choice.

• When you think of The Boston Fine Arts Museum, most people think Impressionism. And, why not? They have an amazing collection. Obviously, everyone loves Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. And, Boston Common at Twilight, an American work, is a painting that every Bostonian can love, as the Common looks the same as it did 100 years ago. But, I have to tell you that the Dance at Bougival by Renoir is so joyful, I cannot resist it’s charms. It is sensual, sexual, colorful, and energetic. It is what Impressionism was all about.

• I am going to cheat here. Winslow Homer’s watercolors at the MFA are a wonderful reason to visit, so it is very hard to choose just one. Every time I go there, I have to see at least one, or my trip is not complete.

• And lastly, the Asian collection is one of the best in the world, and one can spend hours just viewing the pieces gathered here. I can look all day at Clover by the Japanese artist, Tateishi Harumi, or the amazing ceramics from the Edward Sylvester Morse Collection. Indian manuscript painting has been a major inspiration for my painting for a long time, so I love getting lost in these little pieces While I was there last week, the small, but illuminating exhibit, Seeking Shambhala was showing one of my favorite little paintings. I am a bit obsessed with the colors and subject matter of Praudha Adhira Nayika (The Mature Heroine Without Self-Control). I have been looking at it for over twenty years, and it is still perfect.

From top:
All work from Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Watson and the Shark, John Singleton Copley, 1778
The Sponge Diver, Winslow Homer, 1898–99
Praudha Adhira Nayika (The Mature Heroine Without Self-Control), Devidasa of Nurpur, 1694 or 1695

Five this week

If you know me, you know that I love Boston. It is one of my favorite places, has some of my favorite people, and it my adopted home town. I just got back from a visit after being away for a year, and fell in love all over again. Now that I am back home in the 100 degree heat, Boston is what I am thinking about this week.

My top five for the week:

• Charlestown. On this trip I stayed with a friend who lives in this Boston neighborhood, just over the bridge from downtown. You may not have heard about this neighborhood, but Charlestown is famous for being the site of the battle of Bunker Hill, was home to the Irish mob, and was the setting for the Ben Affleck movie, “The Town”. It’s reputation may be rough, but it is actually a beautifully historic place. It is also home to the U.S.S. Constitution, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and it was the starting point for Paul Revere’s Ride. And, in my opinion, offers one of the best views of the city.
• Houseboats.When I was a kid, I always dreamed about living on the water. Literally, on the water… in a houseboat. Since my family didn’t live close to the sea, it was an exotic thought. What a life that would be, I thought! Now, that I am landlocked again, I dream about it even more. Someday…
• The Boston Accent. Man, I miss it. It is like no other, and is music to my ears. Really!
• My friends. They are why I come back often, and call Boston home.
• Home Again.Even though it is too hot already, my wildflowers are still hanging in there. So, there IS a reason to come back home to Phoenix.

Have a wonderful week!

Photo at top: Charlestown
Photo below: Closeup view of my front yard

This week’s top five

There were many interesting, mundane, intriguing, or bothersome things swimming around in my head this week. Here are five:

• My ten year old Aeron chair broke last week, and I had no idea that it was under a twelve year warranty. I called Herman Miller when I discovered the protection clause. I expected a phone runaround. To my absolute surprise, not only was the chair fixed in under a week, my (sliced) chair arm was replaced even though it was my fault. All for free! And, they would have picked it up from my home if I desired. I am sitting pretty this week!

• Ghost World’s, Daniel Clowes is finally getting his day. An art show of his work, Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes opens this Saturday at The Oakland Museum. And, on top of that, the book, The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist came out last week. He has always been a success with a small fan base, but it is nice to see that more people may get to see this brilliant talent.

• Speaking of books, Draw It With Your Eyes Closed, The Art of the Art Assignment just came out, and is on my Amazon list to buy. Paul Thek was an American painter, sculptor, installation artist, and teacher at Cooper Union in the late 1970s, and is famous for giving his students a long, provocative list of questions he titled “Teaching Notes.” Inspired, the editors at Paper Monument put this book together by asking dozens of teachers (some famous, others not so much) for the best art assignments they knew of, or taught in their classes.

• In my ear this week is (again) James Blake’s Limit to Your Love and Unluck. These are but just two songs from his exciting self-titled album from last year. And, I have been listening to over and over again over the past few months. I can’t hear it enough.

• There is one thing bugging me this week. The fact that Chief Executive at Apple, Timothy D. Cook, is worth $634 million dollars really irks me. I’m sure Steve Jobs earned more than that when he was alive, but he made and designed things! What did Mr. Cook do to deserve this money?

Make your week wonderful!