Sleeping Muse and Falling Rocket

When you lift your brush from the canvas, it no longer belongs to you.

Frederic Leighton's Flaming June is in Puerto Rico. I had no idea!

There are three time periods in every painting: the period depicted, the period in which it was painted, and the period in which it is being viewed.

When I was about 10 years old, I took some art lessons at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo. Taught by a local artist - a full on hippy: beard, ponytail, interesting aroma - who spoke of spirit and freedom. Also in the class was another boy, a couple years older than I was, who brought along his own sketch book. It was filled, page after page, with tiny, maybe 2 inch, drawings of superheroes. All of his own design. A dozen or so on each page. All carefully drafted and beautifully rendered in colored pencil. I have often thought of this kid, whoever he was, wondering what ever became of him. I like to think he went on to a great career in comics. And that teacher. All hemp and patchouli and 'Screw the man.' Tie-dye and batik and Action Painting. He looked at this prodigy of commercial work, little men and women in capes and tights. So very different from his own work. And world. And he LOVED it! He praised and encouraged this kid to the moon. Loved the ...

I love  that Act 3 of the Philip Glass opera Einstein on the Beach is titled “I Feel the Earth Move,” named for the Carole King song!

The elementary school that I attended, Roosevelt Elementary in Kenmore NY, has shut its doors for good. Miss Schneider, Mrs. Richner, Mrs. McGuire, Miss Seweski, Mrs. Thom, Mrs. Heinz and Mr. LaPre. Still in touch with Mrs. Thom. Hanging on the walls of those hallways were copies of Wyeth's Christina's World, Millet's The Gleaners and Rousseau's Sleeping Gypsy. The bay window in  the library. Sermons in stone and angels in the architecture.