Art Blog - The Artist's Muse

I recently observed some children riding on a double-decker carousel on the pier in St. Tropez. Wiggling as the carousel wound to a stop, having spent the better part of the last ride deciding which horse or animal they would ride on, they determinedly jet out to the beast of their choice. Some of the children prefer the pretty ponies, painted in vibrant colors, dawning a feather in their mane. Others rush up the stairs to the second level, spying a stationary giraffe, light blue with painted florescent flowers on it. A few of the boys prefer the yellow motorcycle on the first level to a fantasy horse, still others set down on a porch swing meant for adults who are too large for to ride the animals… Continue reading… 1 comment

Artist Date: Lost in the translation. I am in Yokosuka, Japan. When I arrive the air is steamy with humidity -- much more intense than the steam I am used to in New England. There is something psychologically jarring about looking down a street, decorated with beautiful, colorful signs and not being able to read any of them. Not even the characters are recognizable. I am surrounded by the conversation of people walking in the streets who are speaking a language that I don't recognize. No "oui madam," no "como estas?" and no "danke schen," to be heard. Even the attempts that are made to speak in English are barely recognizable. The language is music, it rolls of their tongues with such confidence and passion. It makes me wish all the more that I knew what they were saying… Continue reading… 0 comments

Last year I met a woman who modeled for a figure study class after having a mastectomy. She explained to me that agreeing to model became a step in her long healing process; she wanted to look at the stark reality of breast cancer and refused to "hide behind pink ribbons." To her credit she had never smoked, her diet was always well informed, yet she still was diagnosed with breast cancer. Modeling gave her an opportunity to get used to the physical changes in her body as a result of her operation. A short time later the course instructor asked if he could paint her portrait. He completed a beautifully rendered painting of this woman that now hangs in the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, MA… Continue reading… 2 comments