Category Archives: Art

Happy Fourth of July

Iwo Jima Memorial
Arlington, Virginia

This Fourth of July will be different that any other. The Fourth of July has always been a special time when I’ve celebrated with family and friends. I remember growing up and having family get-togethers at Sportsman’s Park in Yakima and watching fireworks at the Selah Park. I’ve been lucky enough to spend the Fourth in Washington, DC four times. I’ve watched fireworks over the Capitol Mall … what a glorious experience. Our University of Washington college group (the Whizzies) have gotten together for the Fourth every year since the the mid 80’s. For the past 30+ years we have joined together at Sunriver Resort in Oregon. We have watched the Whizzy children grow up and have children of their own. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed all our lives but not our spirit. Though we will not physically get together, we will have a collective Zoom event to celebrate the Holiday and our friendship.

In these difficult times, let’s all take the time to reflect on what this special holiday represents. It is a time to be grateful for what others have given to insure our independence and freedom. It is a time to give back to our Country and peoples and to make our Nation stronger.

Happy Fourth of July!

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Remember Dobie Gillis and Maynard G. Krebbs?

“Rodin’s Thinker”
Rodin Museum, Philadelphia

Remember the “Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” TV sitcom back in the late 50’s and early 60’s? Each episode started and ended with a little soliloquy of Dobie talking in front of “The Thinker.” Dobie was always contemplating on what the important things in life were: Girls and Money (used to get Girls). Things were much simpler back then. I decided to make good use of my “social isolation” time and did a little searching and found season 1, episode 1 of the show. It made me smile as I thought back to those simpler times and the start of the “beat” generation.

Fifty plus years later, I found myself standing along Rodin’s “The Thinker” in downtown Philadelphia. It was a difficult time for me then. I took the time to admire Rodin’s sculpture, clear my mind, and refocus my thoughts on what was the most important thing I could do moving forward. The answer was simple, live each and every day to its fullest.

Today was one of those days. I started sharing coffee and breakfast with my dear wife. We had a nice discussion, then went out to work in and enjoy our developing landscape. Later I came in for lunch and a nice afternoon nap. I woke up, did a little reading, then reviewed some of my older photography work, including this image of “The Tinker.” It triggerd old memories and I watched the episode of Dobie Gillis. Enjoying time with my wife, enjoying nature and getting a little exercise, reading to stimulate my mind, studying some classic art through my photographs, and watching a little past history … it was a simple, wonderful, and full day.

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Color

Whitman College Library Mobile
Walla Walla, Washington

Color, color everywhere. The central skylight and abstract mobile spreads light and color through the central area of the Whitman College Library. It provides such a warm and energy charged feeling that a student could not help from absorbing the surrounding stacks of knowledge.

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Manet

Manet Exhibit
The Getty Museum, Los Angeles

I’m missing traveling. I am afraid it will be a while yet before we will feel comfortable getting on an airplane and flying to some distant location. So until then, I will review some of my past trips and do a travel post for a change of pace.

When in Los Angeles, I try to make a special trip to the Getty Museum. There is always something new on exhibit. The architecture of the buildings is fantastic and the gardens are gorgeous. Plan on spending at least a full day when visiting.

Below is a photograph of Manet’s original painting of Jeanne which is replicated on the stairs leading to the exhibit.

“Jeanne”

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Little “Painted Church”

St. Benedict’s Catholic Church
Honaunau, Hawai’i

The “Painted Church” is a must see little gem in the heart of Hawaii’s Kona coffee plantation area in South Kona. The church is on a peaceful hillside overlooking the coastline below. It was built by Belgian Catholic missionary Father John Velghe from 1899 – 1902. Father Velghe painted scenes of biblical stories along the church interior walls. He used the scenes to deliver his messages since most of his native Hawaiian parishioners could not read.

A history of the church can be found at the following link: https://keolamagazine.com/art/painted-church/

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Eastern Market Stroll 5

  1. Photographs by Xiong Tom Tan, Capital Art
    Capitol Hill Eastern Market, Washington DC

Every market also has its artists.  The images of Xiong Tom Tan caught my interest. In particular, his images around the Capitol Mall area were beautiful. He photographs the area throughout the year.  Several of his images were of the same scene taken from the same specific spot during the four seasons.  The compilation of the images took several years to get them in the optimal light.  We spent several minutes talking about his work and what it took to get what he was after.  As always, I learn things from every photographer I talk with.

Thank you Tom for your insights!

Tom may be contacted at (703) 785-1488 or (703 995-0841.

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Eastern Market Stroll 1

Capitol Hill Eastern  Market, Washington DC

I enjoy strolling around various places just looking around.  If something catches my eye, I stop, look, and try to determine what attracted my attention to the scene.  I then try tp compose an image to display that spark of interest.  The shapes of the displayed masks plus the bright reds and whites caught my eye here.

During the next several posts, I will try to present the diversity of the Washington DC, Capitol Hill East Market.

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Abstract Art is Everywhere 2

Abstract 1:  Barnet Newman’s “Achilles” – National Gallery of Art

Abstract 2:  National Gallery of Art – East Wing, Exterior

Abstract 3: Volcanic Cliff

Simple lines of abstract art are intriguing.  They can be found everywhere.  Some are works created in art mediums (paintings, sculptures, etc.).  Others are created by architectural forms. Still others are found in nature.

Abstract 1 is an oil painting created by Barnet Newman titled “Achilles”.  I stood and looked at this piece for quite a long time.  Rather than try to figure out “what it is meant to be”, I tried to focus on what feeling it brought out in me.  The red made me feel a little anxious.  I did not resonate with this piece.

Abstract 2 is a photograph of the exterior of the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art.  I was walking along, looked up and saw these contrasting shapes of shadows and light.  It just grabbed me.

Abstract 3 is a photograph of the sheer basalt cliffs cut by the Palouse River during the Ice Age Floods.  Nature’s artwork stops me in my tracks.  Sometimes I just do not want to leave.  It instills me to think about how our would was formed and just enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding me.

Art is everywhere!

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Abstracts Are Everywhere

Abstract A

Abstract B

Spending time in the National Gallery of Art stimulates me to see abstractions from different perspectives. Abstract A is from an unknown artist on a piece I saw at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill.  Abstract B is an extract from Lyonel Feininger’s “Street of Dreams” in the National Gallery of Art. By the way, Abstract A in an excerpt from an apron.

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