"Jump Jive & Wail"
(Acrylic on Canson Board 9 x 12)
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Sunday, March 12, 2017
ART MUSEUM JOYS
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" - Pablo Picasso
Major city art museums are great destinations. There is far more than just the art to enjoy. The mix of architecture, quietness, surrounding districts, people and the museum's hidden places can take us away from the problems of the world. Maybe it is the timeless nature of art. How it has recorded and reflected the history of mankind. Or maybe it is the well-ordered nature of the museum that takes your mind to another place.
Even before you enter the museum, the grounds and architecture offer their own art to be enjoyed and savored. Small and large features beg for attention. Even unique curios can be found near the entrances. Museums often reside in interesting city districts that have great finds, coffee shops, and waysides. They are wonderful wandering.
People watching is fascinating. You observe interesting reactions and reflection in their poses and positions. You will see people just looking at the art, doing sketches, sharing private moments, or just contemplating life.
Be sure and Take a camera. Ask where you can take photos and where not. Views out the windows of the museum or across the broad expanses of the building are great, not to mention the people shots.
It's always good to Visit the museums website before you go to note key exhibits on display and special programs that may be happening. Follow that, by asking for a map of the museum at the front desk when you enter.
The art library is usually buried in one of the less traveled spaces. Here a world of art in books awaits, along with an always helpful librarian who is glad for you stopping by.
I often find that the smaller exhibits, around the corner or in the side rooms from the featured art, the most interesting. Some are local artists or a special interest of the museum staff or board.
Most museums have a headliner dining spot. However, some have a hidden one. Here you might find art staff to visit with or other seasoned museum goers.
Wonderful social experiences can be gained by becoming a museum member. Opening events offer the best of mixing and scrumptious snacks. Education opportunities also abound.
Museums will leave you with a sense of peace, the ageless beauty of art, and a feeling that there is more in the world to enjoy. And given the times we live in, who could not say these are good things.
David Young
A good book on the basics of Art Museum visits is “How to Visit a Museum: Tips for a rewarding visit” by Johan Idea
Saturday, March 4, 2017
OLD FRIENDS
OLD FRIENDS
A bevy of forgotten books
Like old friends found,
In some backroom of life.
All out of order,
Some on shelves
Others just in boxes.
Filled with mystery, art,
Philosophy and the poetry of life.
Waiting a touch or turning of a cover again.
All Like old friends found...
DTY '17
Studio Four Magazine
Friday, February 10, 2017
IMPROVISED SELF SUFFICIENCY
In Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s recent interview on The Charlie Rose PBS show, talk turned to the challenges of the future. High on the list was their concern that an increasing number of people were going to be left behind by today’s global and specialized business market. People who cannot be retrained or re-employed in a traditional way. Buffett felt that how society deals with and supports these people remains a giant question mark?
There may be solutions at hand. You can never discount human ability to deal with adversity and find a way to survive. It might be called "Improvised Self Sufficiency." Much of that survival takes place in what has been called the Underground Economy. Here you will find a patch work of social services and non profits that form a foundation for people. But, that's not the entire story. People share housing, food, transportation and even payment of bills. This market has its own repair team, often individuals working for cash. They keep cars running, fix leaking roofs and sell you the used tire.
More and more displaced workers in the middle class are finding themselves slipping into this world. So it is good to study this market and find ways of making it work better for people.
A combination of governmental, non profit and private enterprises could meet this emerging challenge. Governmental programs need to be vetted, retooling them to work more efficiently for both society and the people served. Fostering Non-profit organizations dedicated to helping people stay self sufficient might fill many gaps. They play an important role, because as hard as some people try to be self supporting, unexpected events (i.e. Medical bills, accidents) require emergency financial help.
Those providing services in the underground market on a cash basis could be helped to form small businesses. The availability of credit on a fair basis (non predatory)needs to be developed. For those who do have a chance to re-enter the work force, greater help with job preparation and finding jobs is needed. Non profits could look for opportunities to expand into business segments. More than 200 of these L3C’s and B Corporations have been formed since 2000. A good example of this is Green City Growers in Cleveland. Affordable housing needs to be woven into the urban landscape. Ways to finance this housing also needs to be expanded. Basic services such as grocery stores need to be lured to low income areas with incentives.
The irony is that this left out market may offer new opportunities for our economy and business. On the one hand, you have a market that is overrun by the likes of dozens of smart phones and other high end products. On the other hand, a market of needs waiting to be met.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
GLANCES OF FAME
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