​,I've never quite understood one of the "Beatitudes" from the Sermon on the Mount, describing the "meek" as being blessed. In retrospect, I've seem to have spent most of my life developing a degree of independence. With that I have become proud of my accomplishments - hardly qualifying as meek to have been blessed with a lifetime of good fortune and good health. Recently however, dealing with some medical issues associated with aging, I'm  beginning to develop new insight into the words of this statement.  

The term "meek" in this biblical context is not intended to convey  shyness or cowering behavior; but rather behavior fitting a spirit of quiet and obedient service, like that seen in a powerful horse that has been broken in and rendered gentle and compliant to serve it's Master.

So, I'm naming this recently completed drawing, "The Meek", hoping  the image of a team of well trained work-horses turning their strength to plough a straight furrow under the guidance of their master, might give the viewer pause,  and consider Matthew 5:5.

   Not particularly religious.
Just BORED!

(back by request of those who twisted their neck to study image from the previous blog)

When I've been asked to display my art, I have usually been expected to offer a statement about myself, as an "artist". Many who follow my blog know this is an unexpected title I've been given.    

Yesterday, while looking through some old files, I found a "report card" from Akron Public Schools, where I attended kindergarten and  early years of elementary school during WWII. Here's evidence I passed the second grade in 1947.  

But, what I found especially surprising was an image drawn on the report card envelope. An early sketch by this 7 year old, sitting in church, sandwiched with feet dangling, between my parents, bored by the endless sermon.  To keep me from fidgeting Mom or Pop probably gave me a pencil and paper, this envelope, to scribble on.  So, here's my first plein air sketch of the preacher preaching from his pulpit!  (you have to turn the envelope sideways to see the image, but it's there!)  

This "natural" talent obviously took quite a long time to bubble to the surface.  Thought you'd like for me to share this with you.  

We had a thunderstorm last night, while attending GSO (Georgia Symphony Orchestra) premier of their 69th season.  Dvorak's "New World Symphony" seemed to fit the rain and thunder outside, giving new life to our earth, animals and plants that seem to have been scorched from relentless draught and heat.

So, in celebration, I'm introducing one of a few "small" sketches I have been trying to refine.  'Not quite there yet, but here's a practice sketch in gratitude for the life-giving moisture.

Another day with no rain and 90+ degrees!  The deer no longer have food on Kennesaw Mountain so they migrate to forage in our neighborhood gardens.  The AC in my studio can just keep ahead of my tolerance for the heat wave.  

So, I attempted something different this afternoon to remind myself of days when snow and skiing was part of my life.  I don't know where I found this scene but this is done entirely with Tombow ink brush.  Still a little more work to do, but perhaps not much more for fear of reverting to my tight draftsman pen might ruin the looseness of this attempt.  

Does it cool you down?

​ 

This is the title I think I'll give this new piece.  An ink drawing composed mostly of vertical ink lines in the background, ink brush plus pen on the middle ground (bridge), and horizontal ink lines to tie the water the  foreground to the background.

'Thought I'd share this while working on the values.  I'm being torn between working on this in my studio or working outside in such beautiful weather.  The outdoors beckons... I MUST answer! 

The Biltmore Estate is awesome - a "Disney World" for adults in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where old-timey castles are at a minimum. So cool. Such history. Fantastic getaway.

I carried my sketchbook, of course, and nourished by a hot dog and a beer just off the meticulous stables, began capturing this scene that surrounds the courtyard.   Ah, to be rich one day...

Okay.  Hold onto your seats while I begin a daring experiment!

Sara and I are spending a few days in Asheville ... our "first visit" after having lived in the south for nearly 45 years!  We're staying at an "air B&B", another first!  A gorgeous view from our deck.  In the foreground a peaceful garden. In the middle ground (those who have taken instruction from me - you know what I'm talking about) a thick forest where a sliver of the Swannanoa (?) River is seen running through it. In the background the Appalachian Mountains framed by trees.

Miriam (our innkeeper) tends the foreground garden where daylily's are lit by filtered sun. This time I brought a small watercolor set with me and, having a few lazy hours to spare sitting on the deck with morning coffee or evening wine, I'm emboldened to try once again adding some watercolor to my ink sketches.  

This is a practice piece in my sketch book. This is the first time I think I might begin to have some success adding watercolor without warping the cheap paper I use. So I think it's worth some more practice! Sara (my critic and promoter-in-chief) thinks so too.  How about you?

I've been asked to exhibit some of my art in the Library at Smyrna, GA.  It goes up  July 1 and remains on exhibit for 2 months, until September 1.  

Since it's a library, I decided it would be nice to display one of my ink drawings of early "book making".  This was inspired when touring the Czech Republic and subsequent researching the history of the Moravian Church. This pre-reformation church has continually stressed educating the general population. Their mass-printing and distribution network promoted literacy and fed knowledge and understanding (temporal and spiritual) to middle and lower classes, a luxury previously reserved for the wealthy or powerful. The rest, so to speak, is "history".

Printing and distributing books rapidly became a "social media" phenomenon of the 15th Century to spark the Protestant Reformation, much the same way using iPhones and computers is sparking reformative thinking and movements today.   

If you are in the area, I invite you to stop by and browse the second floor gallery of Smyrna Library while my art is exhibited.