Stem Cell

While this isn't about art, it is about life and making the world a better place. I think a grave injustice has been done. This editorial from our local paper says it well.

Stem cell veto saves no lives

At his first-ever veto ceremony, rejecting a bill that would have allowed more funding for stem cell research, President Bush surrounded himself with children who were adopted while still embryos.
But the bill Bush rejected wouldn’t have prevented a single one of those babies from being born. The bill was very specific and allowed federal money to be used only for embryos that would otherwise be destroyed, not adopted.

By opposing this medical research, Republicans are handing the lead in an important 21st-century industry to other countries. Second, and more important, their actions are delaying the kinds of breakthroughs that could stop pain, suffering and death for you or someone you love.

Why does the Republican Party think it’s better to throw away microscopic cells than to use them to save you or your loved ones from nightmares like those of Ronald Reagan, Michael J. Fox or Christopher Reeve?

The president’s veto won’t save a single life, but it may cost many lives and cause much needless suffering.

Alan L. Light
Iowa City, Iowa

Ah the palette knife

One of my dear friends that I normally only get to visit by email told me that she is playing with palette knife paintings. I saw that as a nice challenge. I took out an old start. Got some paint on the palette and grabbed a knife. FUN! I got paint on the painting, on me, I think maybe even on the wall. I started to listen to the painting and got a brush and some semi-opaque paints and made some quiet areas. This morning I liked it but it seemed off kilter.
I emailed it to my friend who looked it over and sent advice.

BINGO. It needed a rotate and crop. Suddenly there was this landscape that had been hiding from me.
Well you look! I call it "Blowing Off Steam"

Thanks Nanette!

Synchronicity

I love when things happen that are amazing and unexplainable. Two women who are members of a web-group decided to meet. My little town is "about halfway" between them. They came to Anniston and said lets go in this gallery. One of them was attracted to some of my art. She saw the name and said "Could that be the Gene Black that is in our Try It Tuesday group?" The gallery owner told them that "yes it is" So one of them emailed me. I thought it was nice that they saw my work in the gallery and decided to email me and say hello.

Somehow, I didn't comprehend that they were in the group. It was there, in black and white right on my computer screen. But it was early morning when I read it...and well, I am not totally alert first thing in the morning.

Today I got an email from Experimental Artists of America (formerly Experimental Artists of Alabama) Two new members have joined the group. Nanette the head of EAA told me that they found out about EAA from my bio.

Guess who! Yes the same two ladies from the gallery. I re-read the first email and then replied (I had been waiting until I was fully functional anyway)

Now I have two new friends who just may (if schedules permit) go to an art workshop with me in October. I love the amazing things that happen just from getting my work out there.

Synchronicity - when two or more coincidental things happen that seem related but are not easily explained by normal cause and effect.
Cool!

Transfer Madness

I have been attempting to do a transfer method using inkjet transparency sheets. According to the directions you paint gel medium where you want the transfer. Then you place the transparency (ink side down) on the medium, burnish, and wait 15 minutes.
The plastic is supposed to peel up and leave the image behind.

This did NOT happen for me. Either one of two things happened: the ink stayed on the transfer, OR the plastic peeled up part of the surface with the plastic sheet.

Color me disgusted with this technique.

Let's PAINT instead!

Peaceful Weekend

Sometimes a peaceful weekend is what you need to refresh your soul and kick your muse into action.

This morning I sat on the deck and looked at , I mean REALLY LOOKED at the poplar tree. I have "seen" the poplar many times. I had never noticed the growth pattern of the leaves. The poplar has leaves that grow in a radial pattern and make circular patterns.

I don't expect to paint a poplar tree anytime soom but sitting peacefully just really observing the common...the things you DON'T really look at can soothe the soul.

Go and soothe your soul
Peace
Gene

A quiet time

I am experiencing a quiet time in my creative life. The weather has been so hot and humid that all I want to do is curl up in the recliner and read whilst enjoying the airconditioning.

Yesterday my creativity was used to cut a friend's hair. (just one of my past professions) Since she is an artist also we discussed how design is design whether you are drawing, painting or cutting hair. I remembered a certain "hair artist" onstage at an event I attended saying this: "I would rather have someone who is artistic cut my hair than someone who has perfect technical skills but is not artistic" What a testament to art and artistic vision. Somehow that morsel of wisdom has stayed with me for over twenty years.

The Quiet times are for reflection and internal growth. They are not "wasted time" no, they are treasures.

Peace :) Gene

Tagged by Jolene

Jolene tagged me so here goes.

The rules are as follows:

(1) You must name where you live.

(2) You must include at least one and no more than six photos. The photos must show things within a 20 minute walk of your home. Also the photos must have been taken specifically for the meme.

(3) You must tag at least one person.
____________________________________________

I live in Anniston, Alabama. It is "the city" but it is rural. All of Alabama is considered rural.

I am cheating I will post 7 pictures...so sue me!

In the planter by my front steps I have hostas.

They are blooming. Aren't the blooms lovely?

In the same planter I have frogs and dark purple oxalis

Look, there on the back gate, sitting on the post is a "june bug"

Out the back gate is Gary and Alice's Garden.

The corn is not doing so well.

it has been dry and it is hard.

The tomatoes are yummy! Here are a couple that are almost ripe!

Look, Gary is out on the tractor working the land.

That building was at one time "apartments."

They burned when a woman left a little girl on the bed,

playing with a cigarette lighter.

At Gary and Alice's back door is Nick the bird.

Nick can bark like a dog, say a few phrases and

laugh madly.

Nick says "Hi ya'll"

Now, I tag Jill

I just wonder what she will come up with!