It's true. When I wake up in the morning, I am aware that I get up with 15,000 years of connection to this land, but when I think of leaving the house, I wonder what incident I might witness or experience.
And, I'm not even Hispanic, except as a Native American cousin. And, I'm half English. And, I'm only a first generation American because of the British mother who came here after marrying a mixed heritage man from the southwest.
Go figure. I'm a mutt. I still don't have my papers in order. The studio is a mess--papers everywhere, canvas and paint splatters abound, and solarplates littering my walkway. This solarplate image is about 3" x 4 1/2," on Somerset paper.
But, la fortaleza es segura.
For awhile, I'd like to suggest that you consider avoiding Arizona until we resolve the turmoil here.
btw: Thanks to all who have so generously commented and occasionally linked back to my blog. Your friendship and art support are u-wo-du-hi, you are buena gente, and if I do say so myself, quite brill.
I saw this and thought a lighter view is also in order* (whoops). From the Daily Show
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Melinda: My Papers Are Not in Order
It's true. When I wake up in the morning, I am aware that I get up with 15,000 years of connection to this land, but when I think of leaving the house, I wonder what incident I might witness or experience.
And, I'm not even Hispanic, except as a Native American cousin. And, I'm half English. And, I'm only a first generation American because of the British mother who came here after marrying a mixed heritage man from the southwest.
Go figure. I'm a mutt. I still don't have my papers in order. The studio is a mess--papers everywhere, canvas and paint splatters abound, and solarplates littering my walkway. This solarplate image is about 3" x 4 1/2," on Somerset paper.
But, la fortaleza es segura.
For awhile, I'd like to suggest that you consider avoiding Arizona until we resolve the turmoil here.
btw: Thanks to all who have so generously commented and occasionally linked back to my blog. Your friendship and art support are u-wo-du-hi, you are buena gente, and if I do say so myself, quite brill.
I saw this and thought a lighter view is also in order* (whoops). From the Daily Show
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23 comments:
O jeezum (cherokee for holy moly). You made my day. Jon Stewart often makes my day, but the combination of the twos of yous made my heart soar and my lunch launch.
I thought of you when I saw your Madame Gubbner cross the line, so to speak. Should she say, vee vant your paypahs, show 'er your solarplate and tell 'er it's a close-up of your double helix. Now, them's papers!
Melinda, I’m 100% behind you!!!! I watched the Jon Stewart clip. Disturbing, oh so funny and scary! Reminds me of the mishigas (craziness) that went on during the ‘30’s which I’ve read about and heard about from my parents. it’s downright insanity - I guess there’s no choice – it’s something we all have to stand up against in our so called ‘free’ democratic world.
The solar plate image is beautiful!
XO
Marcia
Melinda you always have such insight and thoughtful things to tell us, about art, yes, but about how it connects to all around it. Surprising how I am able to miss/forget this sometimes in my own little head and my own little studio.
When I visit I'm reminded.
And then I laugh too!
Love the solarplates...fascinating..never heard of this!
I love that, SamArtDog. You are very close to all of this and I hope that your state deals better with important issues than we of the borderlands.
What a great image--cactus as double helix. Just a great combo.
Glad I could make your heart soar, but I'm concerned about that lunch!
wv: equentio
Hmmm. Interesting.
Yes, Marcia, I think of these things too. A lot. I think of how living an ordinary and comfortable life can cause a kind of spiritual lethargy that might render many to acquiesce to the "mishigas (craziness)" that you mention.
It is why I encourage everyone I know to be brave in the easy, little things so that if a time comes requiring more, there is some cognitive muscle to respond and not freeze up.
Being brave on canvas is a kind of practice, isn't it? No one gets hurt and one feels euphoric, or stronger, after tackling a project!
Thank you so much for your comment. We must never forget history or allow its revision by bullies.
The solarplate was a lot of fun to work on (smiling here). I'm glad you like it.
P. S. I saw a deeply moving PBS documentary about a couple who fell in love during WWII that you might also enjoy. It was called:
Steal a Pencil for Me
Hi Karen,
Oh, I'm so glad that you liked this post and work.
I was hoping that it wouldn't seem too dark, yet, take a good stand against the insanity that seems epidemic in my state and, perhaps, in the rest of the world.
Your work, artists' work, is more important than we often know. Not to put any pressure on you...ha!
The solarplate print is lovely Melinda, and valuable counterpoint to the other craziness.
Fear of the "other" (in many forms) seems to be overtaking our culture. Ironic in some ways how Arizona -- a place filled with spiritual history -- should now be leading the way in fear.
Perhaps the silver lining will be that you get a new Governor.
Though Tancredo eeked out a bit of sanity there, he is from here and he is a fascist NUT! We try to keep his sort in their place.
Lunch stayed with me, thanks; I just couldn't resist that "poetry".
It's the stuff of every nightmare/ bad movie/ and sadly, the rift in our culture that seems to be on the rise.
Jon Stewart and his glorious irony- and your gentle awareness and steadfast position. Makes for a great post. As does your beautiful solar plate image.
Living where I do, we find ourselves in the 5% minority status but I don't feel it with any of the fright that will surely be pervasive on the streets of Arizona.
Thank you Melinda for a smart, tender posting of your thoughts.
The solar plate is beautiful, I watched the Jon Stewart clip, and got worried. This is a seriously creepy situation. I wonder how long it will be before that stupid idea is overturned.
I love how the Daily Show mocked the idiots who came up with this one.
xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Oh no. Scott McGinnis is running as the Republican candidate for governor of Colorado. Today he announced that, if he wins that race here, he would take the same stand as Gov. Jan Brewer. Argh!
Hi diddamsdigitalart,
Thank you for thoughtful comment. Yes, I'm looking forward to ousting Brewer and, I hope, having a more reasonable governor. There are several good options on the liberal side that I could support.
Glad you like the solarplate print too!
Yikes, SamArtDog! This is bad news. This weirdness is a social virus and it's really getting out of hand.
I agree: Tancredo=facsist
I do hope you have more enlightened minds than not--'cause you're gonna need 'em. Unbelievable. No, not really. We've seen this coming for many years, right?
Oh, yes, I figured you were using metaphor and I'm so glad you didn't choke or hurl, which is what politics today can cause. You express yourself with wit and wisdom.
You're absolutely right, Bonnie. It is a nightmare. It's going to take some time to wake up from this, plus as you said, a "steadfast position."
Tucson has a diverse population and it's very close to the border, about 45 minutes south. I live within biking distance of the oldest mall in midtown, and it is where people from Mexico come to shop. They're now going to be afraid to do that now.
Thank you so much for your comment. Glad you like the image! :-)
Thank you, Barbara! Yes, that Jon Stewart really paints the picture!
Many Arizonans think this bill is waaay over the line and will contest it. We're hoping for a Federal smackdown. I mean, this law is hurtful to legal citizens!! We already have laws regarding illegal entry.
Our Pima County Sheriff has already spoken out against it and has said that he will not enforce the law.
We just can't afford to look away, can we? We must be active citizens all of our lives, yes?
Don't worry too much, though. When it gets really hot, Arizonans (and cops in particular) hide out in cool places.
Holy smokes, I better stay out of Arizona, my papers aren't in order either. They'll fly me back to Buenos Aires in a flash.
Here's an appropriate song for this sitch; Santana's "Migra" from the Supernatural cd. I don't know how to link it back for you, sorry.
You've managed to make a cactus look sophisticated and elegant. I see a solar plate show in your future.
To add to the recommendation of a movie that should make us all think about how we view others, I highly recommend a film called " The Visitor".
I got it from Netflix.
Fills your heart and breaks it.
This situation is growing like an atrocious mold.
Thanks for the laugh, Melinda. It's so much better than stewing or crying.
Hold onto your papers, and don't show them unless you're good and ready to.
Thank you, Bonnie! I'll check it out. We are on Netflix, so it should be here soon.
It is a social virus, but as long as we have a voice and are active, we can beat this thing.
I'm so glad you are out there with your voice.
I like that, Edgar. How 'bout I stay home for awhile and work in the studio a lot...or play the guitar a lot?!
I just heard about this crazy making craziness on the radio and it sounds as though your papers are definitely not the only thing that is not in order! (Your solar plate is wonderful, Melinda!)
Hi Linny,
I don't know how I missed replying earlier to your comment, but I so appreciate what you wrote.
Oh, it's a huge mess everywhere in Arizona. The only nice thing is that Tucson is less crazy by far than the northern half of the state.
The best thing is knowing that there are kindhearted people and artists like you out there, knowing the truth, holding on to hope and continuing to light the world with goodness.
Virtual hugs!
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