Donald Trump N.S.S.B.

His complaints, animosity, lying and rude vulgarity began in the presidential campaign and went into full blown anarchy on inauguration day. The size of his crowd as compared to that of President Obama’s became an issue. The popular vote loss as compared to Hillary Clinton’s numbers he raised as yet another question. The rounding out for day one was and remains; press coverage. This United States President would lead one to believe he hates the press, that it is unfair and false; but to the contrary he consumes the news (limited to television coverage) with an unbridled passion. Donald Trump is a "dangerous mind," a threat to himself and humanity and very much a ticking time bomb of a man. 

After reaching his one hundred day mark he had no real accomplishment. He had gotten his Supreme Court nominee appointed; but it took a major change in the decades old rule of a clear bi-partisan majority. He also won some favor for the bombing of Syria. There has been no follow up are any coherent plan of action or policy on the Syrian Civil War. By the same token his Muslim Travel Ban remains blocked and he is to date unable to replace and repeal affordable health care. He has multiple appointments yet to be made and his people remain under investigation for collusion with the Russians. Trump lives in the White alone and tweeting in the early morning hours. His weekends are lavish retreats to his ritzy Palm Beach, Florida digs. He spends his time golfing and gorging alone without his wife and young son.

Who gets it next???

Donald Trump having just returned from his first trip abroad; a venture very mixed in tone and accomplishment. He made an arms deal with the Totalitarian Saudi Monarchy. They sang each other’s praises and danced to world repressive and dominance.  He went on to bullying, insulting, boasting and mis-representing almost every protocol and diplomatic standard in the remainder of his trip. The European allies were little impressed with the man, especially Germany and France. This whiles his son-in-law; Jared Kushner becomes part of the Russian query, North Korea defiantly steps up their long range missile testing and his communications director’s sudden resignation. Trumps latest and biggest blast is his decision to drop out of the Paris Climate Accord. This is an incredibly bad move for the USA and the world at large. He may not recover as he has continually spiraled downward from his administration’s outset.

Mr. Trump; those in the Russian Government are not your or our friends (they are laughing at your ineptitude.) The press is not your enemy (it is the corner stone of and essential in a free republic.) With your tweets you are hurting yourself (Twitter is a form of social media not intended as a means of governing.)  Listen to Ivanka; you say she wants you to be a better person/leader. Mr. Trump; by every measure, you are failing miserably. Don’t make The United States a “Loser Nation” following the paths you consistently and irrationally seem compelled to take.

In a Time of Sorrow: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec as Pierrot

Within the short span of the last sixteen months the Nation of France has been struck with three sobering, disastrous and murderous attacks. In this climate of uncertainty and mourning we reflect and pray as we of many nations look for solace, strength and understanding. A lesser nation than France might succumb to the senseless, wanton disregard for peace, liberty and the joy of living all people of good will seek to enjoy. The French are an exceptional people who will not succumb. Neither will the free world as we have to try to look away from the insanity toward the light of possibility. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s life and work remain a beacon of light for the entire world. The Artist Lautrec is one of France’s national treasures. 

Toulouse-Lautrec; a man possessing personal resolve and character celebrated the passions and joys of living in spite of personal obstacles. We will look to his work for it’s greatness and glory…this, as our hearts and spirits weep.

My first encounter with the art of Toulouse-Lautrec was when I walked into the “Art” department at my high school in South Western Virginia.  On the wall at the entrance amid the plaster casts, drawing tables and pottery wheels was a seemingly gigantic poster reading Moulin Rouge, Moulin Rouge, Moulin Rouge. The poster colorfully featured dancer La Goulue and the patrons of the world famous establishment in a moment of feverous excitement. I was at the time and remain transfixed by the work’s exquisite beauty, sense of style and most importantly daring nature.   Seeing it would be the greatest lesson I would ever receive in art. I had never experienced anything as lovely as this! I knew I was going to enjoy my journey into this larger world of art, history, culture and contemporary fashion. 

                                                             


I would take much from my beautiful and exuberant young teacher; Mrs. Wonderly. The Moulin Rouge poster was her own and not the schools. It was a way of enriching her student’s lives and adding her own flair to our class room. We would work and learn while the music of the day; Santana, Led Zeppelin, James Taylor and Cher played in the background.  Our lessons included not only the importance of technique but an enhanced and enriched way of seeing along with a genuine love of this most indescribable addiction;  Art.

Toulouse-Lautrec draftsmanship, skill and dedication were central to the teachings of Mrs. Wonderly and in turn our learning. Lautrec’s uniquely distinctive abilities, his tolerance in living and his triumphant joy over life’s obstacles are a reminder of all that is good in this world and in humanity. The wit and wonder of the man is a beacon of the best a single person can offer…a beacon in a time of sorrow.      

The Charlie Hebdo Assassinations

There is no shortage of death and killing in our world. There are although; those killings and deaths that are more senseless, more heinous, and somehow, more disastrous. The attack on the cartoonist and publishers of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo early this week were such killings. The French citizens and free nations around the world are in shock and mourning of this unthinkable tragedy that transpired in Paris. In a world where such deaths are ever increasing people of good faith; believers of personal and civil liberty, inalienable rights and freedom; particularly, freedom of expression are shocked and appalled. This is certainly because we refuse to accept the brutality, hate and total disregard by the few who would deny the right to express opinion and views different from their own and those views that even we ourselves do not hold or believe. We do mourn, we are shaken, we can even be confused but we will not bow. The citizens of  Paris and all who cherish life and freedom will return stronger and with a greater will to survive, to debate and yes; to satirize the ignorant and misguided who kill the seekers of truth through the power of humor and that of the pen. 

As of this writing thousands have covered the streets and avenues of Paris in respect and reverence for their slain countrymen. The offices of Charlie Hebdo will publish on time and schedule the next issue of their weekly. It will be an expanded and astonishing million copy release. The voices of freedom sing out ever louder, ever stronger.  The suspects (murderers) have received their self-ordained fates. They will not kill again.

Expressions of defiance, regret, consolation and unity were posted and printed from the first moments that the news of the events at Charlie Hebdo were made public. This; sadly was not the first attack on Charlie Hebdo and may not be the last. But again; we stand firmly in support. Editorial cartoonist in particular expressed their heart-felt and stinging messages from Paris and around the globe in remarkable, relentless fashion. Some of the best are on view here. Je Suis Charlie. 

The Puryear Papers

If you were to look at Martin Puryear as the pains-taking, attention to detail craftsman that he is; that would be fine. You could; in theory, view his work as decorative objects designed to adorn a room or space with a truth of grace and beauty. He can also represent the last of the artist as hands on interpreter of the world and the glories of life. Martin Puryear is all of these; he is in every reality many things more. 

              

                                                                 

                     
                   

 Martin  Puryear speaks eloquently through his pieces that seem to be glorious over-sized works that were they created on a smaller scale be some useful hand held thing or tool. His works would be no less beautiful were they smaller; no less engaging.  The scales of the objects are amazing as single pieces adequately consume entire galleries. Walking among the works is to inhabit a place of wonder and artistry in the purest form. His efforts are of world class elegance and he is surely admired around the globe. Wood is the primary material of choice for Martin Puryear. Stone, wire mesh, and rawhide are known by his hands as well. He is adventurous in his choices of materials as well as in his range of creations.

                                                                                   
                                      

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I was first introduction to Mr. Puryear through the pages of Ebony Magazine in a nineteen seventies article noting praise-worthy contemporary African-American Artists. His works do sometimes speak to his heritage as a former resident of Washington DC and a Black American. His piece “Ladder for Booker T. Washington” is a particular and exceptional example of his acknowledgement of the shared American and Black Histories. The ladder (431” x 22” x 3”) is created from a single sapling split in two and joined by rungs. The work is an optical illusion of sorts as it bends and turns from the 22” base to about 1.25” at the piece’s apex. The cultures of many nations have influenced and informed the works of martin Puryear. Sierra Leone, Sweden, Japan and France are among the countries he has lived in, studied and embraced “The Family of Man.” He works reflect the sensibilities of an amazing world citizen.

  

The PBS series   art : 21   chose Martin Puryear as one of their first artist’s to be profiled. He was awarded “The National Medal of Arts” by President Barack Obama. Several great museums including The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC have honored Mr. Puryear with retrospectives. He was recently part of the highest priced auction in history when Christies scored an amazing $745 million in sells. $1.8 million of the total came from the sale of a Puryear piece. Congratulations to Mr. Puryear for all his awards and achievements as he continues in his efforts. He is making a difference for the positive in the world; he is doing very well.  

“At a certain point, I just put the building and the art impulse together. I decided that building was a legitimate way to make sculpture.”

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                    Martin Puryear

Jean-Leon Gerome "The Orientalist"

 

Jean-Leon Gerome was one of the great Parisian Orientalists. They were artists that traveled to the mid-east studied, observed, photographed and reproduced a version of a world that was very much a reflection of their European sensibilities. They were not entirely accurate in tone or content but the attention to detail of patterns, textures and physiology were impeccable. These were works of beauty and technique that were academic gems.  His fellows including Delacroix, Regnault and others that supplied a vision of the mid-east that delighted mesmerized and to a degree informed a generation of collectors. The mid to late nineteenth century was fruitful and lush for these artists especially Gerome whose works were popular and sold profusely around the world including many American buyers. At least three of the images on this blog (including the richly lush The Snake Charmer) are in American collections. 

 

 

 Gerome’s academic style was much admired and rewarded before falling out of favor with the rise of the impressionist and later modernist painters. Photography and the increased access to mass travel beyond the elite classes were probably factors in the Gerome decline in popularity. World views changed as taste and fashion are constantly looking for “The New.” This applies just as readily to the world of fine art as to any other aspect of culture.

 

 

On many counts and in fact Gerome was an artist and creator of art of diverse themes and subjects. History, portraiture, stage and literature are all found among his catalogue. He has influenced film makers like Ridley Scott who used Gerome’s “Pollice Verso” as the informing inspiration for his film “Gladiator.” There is an adherent narrative element to the works of Gerome; they could well be scenes from great cinematic projections. The theatrical quality of his work is without dispute. There is no greater vision of drama or theatre laced with pathos and irony then Gerome’s “Duel after the Masquerade.” It is on view and among the permanent collection of The Walters Collection in Baltimore Maryland. The small 15.5” x 22.5” canvas is monumental in thought and achievement.

 

 

 

For the lovers of art and imagery Jean-Leon Gerome remains unsurpassed. His works are suggestions of mystery, eroticism and adventure. They are classical and romantic, rich in detail and skillful executions. To stand before a Gerome is to stand before genius and beauty.

The Social Critique and Satire of Daumier

 

                                                 

      

 Honore Daumier has been part of the “Canon” forever; it seems he was possibly born into it, an artist’s artist, his own pinnacle. Daumier was a painter, sculptor and lithographer. Most importantly he was a social satirist of the highest order. The numbers he acquired are staggering; 4,000 lithographs, 1,000 each of drawings and wood engravings, 500 paintings and 100 sculptures. An impressive feat for an artist of any era. Daumier was to be influential for generations. 

 The artist to immediately follow him, especially those to study and work in France including Lautrec, Manet, Degas and the young Picasso show his influence. The works of many American cartoonist and illustrators including Brad Holland, Jules Feiffer, Pat Oliphant, Chuck Jones and Tim Burton are testament to the Daumier wit and style. The Daumier legacy is rich, there wonderful elements to his imaginings and his technique was sound.

 

 

 

 

 

Daumier’s work can be viewed as both High and Low Art. His subjects also were high and low; the bourgeois, the working/poor classes, government leaders, and especially judges and lawyers were targets of his satire. He reported the worlds he inhabited and the art world connoisseurs and critics were not lost to his efforts, they are represented by Daumier with the same virtuosity and vigorous vanity. His lines were graceful, elegant and grand.  

 

 The works are beautiful to behold and equal to the test of time and scrutiny. He was imprisoned briefly for a scathing remorseless depiction of the king titled “Gargantua.” This incarceration failed to soften his social critiques. Daumier would continue to work and spared no one; creating brilliant things throughout his life until his eventual loss of sight.

 

 

 

 Ironically it was a year before his death that he would be recognized for his masterful and original paintings. France has given the world many greats. Daumier…decidedly, dangerously dissident!