Art & Soul

Miles Davis

2009-12-06T19:54:00.002-05:00

Fathead Newman

2009-11-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

The River

2008-09-17T18:55:00.000-05:00

The Old Tree at Swallowfield

2007-11-01T19:26:00.000-05:00

Nothing Gold Can Stay

2007-05-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

Nothing Gold Can Stay
Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay

Such a short poem that says so much. Beauty is fleeting comes to mind first. The gold metaphor - could it mean gold (as in the currency), only gives us temporary and/or false pleasure? Then there's the reference to Eden - the fall from The Garden, "sinking to grief." Could it mean the Western Judeo-Christian view of Adam & Eve being banished from The Garden and the subsequent domination over nature???

Marc Chagall's Three Candles

2007-03-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

From Amazon.com:

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) epitomized the "painter as poet" with work that was steeped in mythology and mysticism, portraying colorful dreams and folktales deeply rooted in his Russian Jewish origins. No 20th-century artist approached him in popularity.
Consider his most famous painting: The three candles, where the lovers couple defy not only the gravity 's acceleration, but are by themselves a real breakthrough with the oppressed human beings. The sad harlequin and the tragic red, the couple is just so far from being happy, they weep the invisible presence of the implacable menace.

From Chagallpaintings.org

Common Themes: Upon close inspection you will notice that Chagall has incorporated many of his trademark themes here, such as young love and religious icons, while mixing in his abstract style. The background features many angelic-like figures floating around. The young couple appears to be rising up with the angels, which reflects heavily on Chagall’s appreciation of love, and the respect and dignity that he affords it.
Religion: The young lovers themselves are focusing on the candles, which have definite religious undertones, conveying a religious perspective for their relationship. The land and small town in the background are presented in a fashion typical of Marc Chagall paintings: small, on a hill, and painted with function rather than form. While the center of the painting; the young couple and the candles, are shown in a clear and targeted manner. All other elements are revealed in a dreamlike state, with little detail and an abstract style.

Sunrise @ The Lake

2007-02-20T14:41:00.000-05:00

Keuka Lake in upstate NY - one of the Finger Lakes - where we have spent a good portion of the summer most of our lives.
The Lake. With a capital T and a capital L.

Brings to mind this poem:

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee;
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Meditaiton by Picasso

2007-02-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

This painting is one of my favorites. I could stare at it for hours! There's the beauty of the light and shadow tones, combined with the powerful emotions that gaze conjures up. Also, it teaches the importance of attentiveness to the Now and being fully present. Pablo Picasso. (Spanish, 1881-1973). Meditation (Contemplation). (late 1904). Watercolor and ink on paper, 14 1/2 x 10 1/2" (36.9 x 26.7 cm). Louise Reinhardt Smith Bequest. © 2007 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Francois Lamoyne study - Head of Hebe

2007-02-10T13:23:00.000-05:00

Hebe was the Greek goddess who was the personification of eternal youth.

Nude/study from William Schneider Art

2007-02-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

da Vinci study

2007-02-10T13:21:00.000-05:00

Charles De La Fosse study

2007-02-10T13:18:00.000-05:00

Degas study

2007-02-04T19:05:00.000-05:00