by Marty Coleman | Jan 31, 2012 | Franklin P. Jones, Quotes on Quotes - 2012 |
Don’t quote me, but it appears to be day #2 of Quotes on Quotes week at the NDD
This is a quote about cliches. Cliches are usually embodied in quotes. Thus, this is a quote about quotes.
This quote is about language. Language explains things. Thus, this quote explains things.
This drawing is by Marty Coleman. Marty is left handed. Thus, this drawing should be looked at left to right.
This quote is by Franklin P. Jones. Franklin was a reporter and lived from 1908-1980. Thus, this quote is reporting something strange.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 30, 2012 | Benjamin Franklin, David H. Comins, Quote Authors, Quotes on Quotes - 2012 |
It’s day 1 of Quotes on Quotes week. Do you have any great quotes about quotes? Let me know about them!
Have you ever known something was completely, absolutely true but no one would believe you because you are just a schmuck friend or family member? Then a month or two goes by and that same person who didn’t believe you comes back and says, “Hey, did you know that XXX is true? I read it in the Times this weekend. Isn’t that amazing?” You, of course, want to kick them in the head and say, “I ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT AND YOU DIDN”T BELIEVE ME, YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!”
That is where being an authority comes in handy. I think the best way to be an authority is to give credit for everything you know to Ben or George or maybe Einstein or Edison, even if it’s your idea. A little less ego but more recognition isn’t all that bad a way to go.
Drawing by Pable Picasso
Commentary by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Quote by Aristotle
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 29, 2012 | Art, Artists I Love, Edward Hopper |
Weekend 3 of my remembrance and sharing of the artists who have influenced me over the decades. This week, Edward Hopper.
Edward Hopper – Woman in the Sun
Edward Hopper got my attention while I was still in High School. What grabbed me was first and foremost his incredible compositional skills. If you have ever heard me talk on my own work you know that in spite of me always having some emotional or psychological content in my work, while I am actually doing it I am overwhelmingly concerned with the visual composition of the piece. Without composition, content is diminished in my eyes.
Edward Hopper – Woman in the Sun – sketchbook record
I found this while looking for images for this post. I love the idea that he made a drawn and written record of his paintings, including who he sold the piece to. I wish I could get $15,000 for one of mine! Any takers?
Edward Hopper – Western Motel
Check out my napkins and often times you will see people inside with simple windows showing a distant landscape. Hopper frequently did the same thing and I always loved the emotional and psychological power it had in his images. Speaking of composition, note how every single item and element in this painting has its compositional as well as its story telling purpose.
Edward Hopper – New York Office
Another visual idea Hopper plays with often is the street or path disappearing into and behind the main subject of the piece. The juxtaposition of the brightly lit woman in the office, elegant and colorful, with the dark foreboding side street going who knows where is a powerful symbolic idea. Its the hint of a secret, the hint of all not being exactly as it seems, that there is something darker, scarier, going on, that I find so powerful. And once again, this idea would never have the power it does if Hopper didn’t know how to compose the image to perfection.
Edward Hopper – Chop Suey
I will admit, my main fascination with this image, besides the incredible composition, is the woman in green. Whenever I have looked at this painting over the years I am taken to that moment in time, wondering who she is and what she is all about. By the way, note the woman with the red hat and brightly lit profile on the far left. Why do you think he included her?
Edward Hopper – Night Shadows – Etching
Of course, with his focus on the power of composition you know he would find a way to use black and white. His etchings are as amazing as his paintings.
Edward Hopper – Room by the Sea
And finally, one usually does not see Hopper categorized as a metaphysical or spiritual artist. But I think of him that way, with his sparse lonely individuals lost in thought and his isolated buildings and homes placed in unlikely environments. This one is probably my favorite when it comes to that idea. It is not about a room by the sea, it’s about you taking a step into the unknown. I love this piece because, for me, it’s about courage – the single most important characteristic one needs to lead a creative life.
___________________
Fall/Winter 2016
Winter/Spring 2015
Summer 2014
Winter 2012/2013
Winter 2011/2012
___________________
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 27, 2012 | Dogs vs Cats - 2012, Samuel Butler |
It’s the final day of Dog and Cat week. Enjoy it, it’s what you were meant to do!
That doesn’t mean you feel joy all the time. It simply means you pursue joy and happiness. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s selfishness. Do it right and you will end up helping your family, friends, co-workers, and complete strangers be happier and have more joy as well.
Drawing by Marty Coleman, who once went to a real bullfight in France.
Quote by Samuel Butler. It might be THIS Samuel Butler or maybe it’s THIS Samuel Butler. If you figure it out, let me know, ok?
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 26, 2012 | Dogs vs Cats - 2012 |
If I have not erred, it’s day 4 of Dog and Cat Week at the NDD!
Cats, Dogs, and Humans by NapkinDad
So true, so true. Why is it that humans are the only animal that errs, or even knows it?
Drawing by Marty Coleman, a lover of forgiveness and purring.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 25, 2012 | Dogs vs Cats - 2012, Mary Bly |
Dog gone it if it ain’t day #3 of Dog and Cat week at the NDD!
I open the door for the dogs and Wiggle Dog comes in at a full gallop, even if I just let her out. Stubby Dog comes pretty close behind, unless it’s particularly nice out, in which case she put on her cat persona and looks at me with that ‘aren’t you going to come out and play?’ look. Normal Cat meanwhile wants to come in. I know she wants to come in because she is whining at the window telling me so. I know she will trail behind the dogs, but what I haven’t quite gotten used to is the fact that I need to put my winter coat on because she will take SO LONG to get to the door that I get a little bit of frostbite otherwise.
She also happens to be the only one of our four legged roommates who has been almost arrested for breaking and entering. She scared the bejesus out of a neighbor once by going in through their doggy door and rubbing up against her leg while she stood at the sink washing dishes. To say she freaked was an understatement. I got her off serving time by my charm and a well-timed bribe to the cat police. She still owes me.
Drawing and funny story by Marty Coleman, who once painted his picket fence to match his dalmatian, Oreo.
Oreo and her fence
Quote by Mary Bly, 1962 – not dead yet, American author under the pen name Eloisa James
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 24, 2012 | Anonymous, Dogs vs Cats - 2012 |
Dog and cat week continues at the NDD.
And humans try to be both, that’s why we like both dogs and cats, right? Which one do you like more, dogs or cats?
Drawing and questions by Marty Coleman, who was a golden retriever in a past life.
Quote by someone who won’t admit it.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 23, 2012 | Dogs vs Cats - 2012, Quote Authors |
It’s ‘Dogs and Cats’ Week at the NDD!
When I would come home to visit my parents from college or from whatever far off place I happened to be living my mother would go crazy wild with joy to see me. She would cry, she would hug, she would be loud and happy. That’s how dogs are.
I once went back to visit my home town of San Diego. While I was there I went to visit a family friend I had not seen in probably 20 years. His greeting to me was a mild handshake and a ‘hey, how are ya?’ as if he had seen me the day before. That’s how cats are.
Drawing and reminiscence by Marty Coleman, a dog for sure.
Quote by Dereke Bruce, maybe a chef, maybe a former vet, I am not sure.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 22, 2012 | Art, Artists I Love, Henri Matisse |
I am continuing on with a series about the artists I love and who have influenced me in some way. Last week it was Rembrandt, this week it’s Henri Matisse.
Henri Matisse, 1869-1954, has been one of my main influences among modern artists in the use of color and in line drawing.
Le Danse with Nasturtiums – Oil on canvas – Matisse
I first saw Matisse’s work in NYC at the Museum of Modern Art when I was a young teenager, probably around 13 or 14. I loved the color and compositions. I bought a poster of this image above and had it in my room for the rest of my teen years.
Harmony in Red – Oil on canvas – Matisse
This is another painting that affected me greatly. I absolutely fell in love with the idea that the patterns could be equal in importance to the spatial depiction. yes, it’s a room, but it is flat and beautifully patterned as well. The composition is so perfect, I can’t imagine anything being changed in it. I love this piece.
The Piano Lesson – Oil on canvas – Matisse
Yet another fantastic image that combines the idea of space with the flatness of pattern, color, composition and contrast. You can see he is slowly moving away from a realistic depiction of space.
Pink Nude – Oil on canvas – Matisse
As Matisse aged he moved into a period where his emphasis was almost purely on color, shape and composition. He always had joy and brightness in his work but as he simplified he let those elements come out to an even greater extent.
from ‘Themes et variations’ – Henri Matisse
from ‘Themes et variations’ – Henri Matisse
Portrait – Line Drawing – Matisse
In my opinion, there is no greater minimalist draftsman then Matisse. His ability to express form and feeling in the fewest of lines is unequaled. I have spent most of my life as an artist drawing in sketchbooks. I have more than 30 of them now. If you look up ‘sketchbook history tour’ in the series drop down menu on the right you will be able to see a selection of that work over many years. My best drawings in those sketchbooks are the ones that are closest to the ideal of simplicity of line that Matisse taught me.
Matisse drawing while confined to his bed.
As Matisse neared the end of his life he was confined to both a wheelchair and to a bed at various times. In spite of that he continued to work, creating some of his greatest masterpieces by using the long extension for his drawing tool and with the use of cut outs. His simplification of beauty was complete and he left us as powerfully creative as when he started almost 70 years before.
Matisse working on a Cut Out while confined to a wheelchair
Tristel – Matisse Cut Out
I took my daughters to Europe in 2003 and made a stop at the Matisse Museum in Nice, France. I picked out this piece along with 2 others from that era and bought reproductions of them. When I got home I had them framed and they are great reminders of both his genius and a fantastic family adventure.
__________________
Fall/Winter 2016
Summer 2014
Winter 2012/2013
Winter 2011/2012
___________________
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 20, 2012 | Anonymous, Laws of Attraction - 2012 |
It’s day #3 of Laws of Attraction Week at the NDD. I might have to spill over into next week, but not sure yet!
Is this true? Discuss.
Drawing and question by Marty Coleman, who likes blue eyeshadow (but not on himself).
Quote by Anonymous, who does not like blue eyeshadow.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 19, 2012 | Anonymous, Laws of Attraction - 2012 |
Laws of Attraction week continues at the NDD
Have you ever tried to fall in love? It’s sort of like trying to enjoy the taste of food you don’t like. It’s possible you could end up liking it, that is true. Obviously from childhood to adulthood we like things that at first we really hated. Just watch a kid take a taste of wine or beer or eat a bite of brussel sprouts. It’s not very likely they will have a happy face. But given enough time they might come to enjoy it. Will they come to love the taste? Perhaps. Will the come to be IN LOVE with that substance? Probably not. Probably the substance they are going to have the deepest affection for is the stuff they loved as a small child, from the beginning. That is why comfort food is called comfort food, because we are so in love with that great feeling of security and comfort we find in that food from our childhood.
Love can be the same way. I once saw a report on arranged marriages and how statistically they have an equal or better chance of lasting than a typical western ‘fall in love, romantic’ marriage. Why is that? A lot of reasons beyond being in love, obviously. But the report did interview a number of long term married couples who started in arranged marriages. Their comments could be reduced to this; ‘marriage first, love later’. Western inclinations lean towards the opposite; ‘love first, marriage later’. But how many of our western marriage actually keep that ‘in love’ feeling alive after so many years? Doesn’t the marriage have to rely on something more than that feeling, which may or may not always be there?
So, in my head while you can’t, and shouldn’t, force love, you can build love. You can, over time, find things about the other person that cause you to fall ‘in love’ with them again and again, but in new ways you could not have anticipated because life and what happens to us is unexpected. The key is to always be open and available for that to happen at any moment now or into the future. It might be an event, it might be a change in your heart, who knows. But it can happen, and if you are paying attention, it might happen sooner than you think.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, a lover not a fighter.
Quote by anonymous
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 18, 2012 | Art |
SOPA is a US House bill 3261 (PIPA is the senate version) calling for stronger anti-piracy accountability on the internet. The original idea has some merits of course, many countries are rampant with piracy of movies and music that hurts American and other entertainment companies. I have no problem with them wanting to protect their intellectual and creative property, just as I want to protect mine.
The problem is that the bill is overkill. It allows corporations to shut down alleged violator’s websites without any due process or review from a neutral authority. That can, and you can bet will, lead to the capricious and damaging use of that power. A big multi-national corporation that just happens to not like the information and creativity on a website could easily put pressure on the host/provider, with legal backing, to close down the supposedly offensive site. Their ‘sin’ could be parody, or whistleblowing or creative sampling. Who knows. The point is that we want to protect intellectual rights. But we also want to protect creative and intellectual freedom and we can’t do that unless our laws follow guidelines that do not allow for abuse by those in power.
STOP SOPA.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 17, 2012 | Laws of Attraction - 2012 |
I was attracted to this topic, so today is day #1 of ‘Laws of Attraction Week’ at the NDD!
I had a conversation yesterday about attraction with an online friend in Norway. I had responded to an FB posting about attraction that a mutual friend of ours (also in Norway) had posted. The thread of the conversation revolved around the question, When do you have control over your attraction? Sometimes it seemed to me that your attraction was visceral, immediate and you had very little control over it, at least at first. Her point was that it was actually something you did control since it was YOU who was feeling whatever it was you were feeling. I didn’t agree that just because it was me meant I had control since the initial response is primarily unconscious. We started using the word ‘choice’ instead and that changed things a bit. You can’t really control what you are not conscious of, but you do, through repetition and familiarity, make choices about things even when you aren’t fully conscious you are making them.
What are your thoughts about attraction and how it comes about? Is it primarily unconscious at first? What sort of control or choices do you have available to you?
Drawing, commentary and quote (adapted from an anonymous one) by Marty Coleman, who chose to post this today.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 16, 2012 | Stanley Schmidt, Writing Lessons - 2011/12 |
Another in my occasional series on writing.
Have you ever been on a movie set? If you have you know how fake the whole thing is. Beautiful buildings, looking solid in marble and brick are in fact wood facades with painted on brick and marble. Luscious landscaping with exotic plants turn out to be plastic and fake. Actresses in ornate costumes turn out to have old t-shirts and shorts on underneath, not the sexy lingerie the outer garment suggests.
Writing is similar. All the stylistic hoops you jump through won’t be of value unless there is a real story underneath. Something of substance that is worth the reader spending their time paying attention.
Pay attention to that and all the style you want can be added on. Ignore it and all the style in the world won’t overcome the emptiness.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, who types left handed.
Quote by Stanley Schmidt, 1944- not dead yet, American science fiction author
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 14, 2012 | Artists I Love, Rembrandt |
I thought you might like to see some of the artists who have influenced me over the course of my career. We will go from oldest to youngest over the next few weeks.
First up is Rembrandt, 1606-1669. Rembrandt was actually his first name. His full name was Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. A Dutch master of oil painting, drawing and intaglio (etching) Rembrandt focused primarily on the powerful emotional effect of light on form.
Bathing Bathsheba – Oil on Canvas – 1654
Bathsheba has a letter demanding that she go see King David. Her husband, Uriah, at David’s direction, is about to be sent to the front lines of war, where he will be killed. The resignation and depression in her face and body is perfect. All the sensual nudity in the world could not overcome that, and Rembrandt illustrates it perfectly.
Saskia Sleeping – Ink on paper – 1655
In this ink wash image Rembrandt uses the ink to let us know her hair is dark, but the rest of the image he is simply depicting shadows. The deep shadows in her eyes, the simple rounded strokes over her shoulders and hip and the wider, darker strokes below her all contribute to you feeling her weight pressing down, making the title completely believable.
Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) version 1 – Etching – 1655
Ecce Homo – version 2 – Etching – 1655
Rembrandt was a master printmaker. His etchings were very influential on me pursuing printmaking as an undergraduate and graduate student. My Grandfather had 4 prints of his (copies, not originals) that I saw in his home from an early age.
The scene above is the moment when Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd and asks whether he should be let go or condemned. We know the answer obviously. The etching actually went through more than 2 versions, more like 8, but these two are the defining images of the print because they represent 2 very different approaches to the story. The first is a scene you are witnessing. The second is a scene you are participating in. There is no barrier preventin you being in the crowd, preventing you being the one Pilate is expecting an answer from. Combine that immediacy with the two dark, foreboding tunnels into the underworld below Pilate and Jesus and you have a choice to make which direction you will take.
I once took a semester long seminar at the Boston Museum of Art through the school I was going to at the time, Brandeis University. We were able to study the prints of Rembrandt, including these, close up, with magnifying glasses. We also got to study Durer and Goya in the same glass. It was a profound experience for me as a young artist.
_______________________
Fall/Winter 2016
Summer 2014
Winter 2012/2013
Winter 2011/2012
___________________
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 13, 2012 | Optimism/Pessimism - 2012 |
It’s day 6 of Optimism/Pessimism week at the NDD
Is your pessimism actually cowardice in disguise? It makes sense, since we don’t really like to face our weaknesses, nor even acknowledge we have them in many cases, that we would build a world view that turns our personal feelings of impotence, incompetence and inadequacy into ‘it’s just the way it is’. Pessimism becomes that world view. You expect failure, disappointment, calamity, dissatisfaction and any other number of negative outcomes because ‘it’s just the way it is’.
That response is much easier than saying there is something wrong with me that I could change if I set my mind to it. It’s easier than saying there are major problems in the world and I am going to do something about them. It’s easier than saying I can see through the bad things to the great things that can come from them. It’s easier than the hard work of making something happen for yourself, your business, your family.
Pessimism is laying the circumstances of your life at someone else’s door. It might be God’s door. It might be society’s door. It might be science’s door. But it isn’t your door. Optimism is realizing your circumstances are at your own door, taking them in and doing something with them.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, chronic optimist.
Quote by Bernard De Voto, 1897-1955, American historian and author. They say he was pugnacious.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 12, 2012 | Optimism/Pessimism - 2012, Oscar Wilde |
I am positive it’s day #5 of Optimism/Pessimism Week at the NDD.
My friend Marcy (who I met via Blog World, read the story below to see the irony), wrote a recent blog post titled, ‘Asking the Universe to Dance’. In it she told the story of a young fellow who introduced himself to her at a conference but never asked her the important question of ‘Are you looking to hire?’ He had the opportunity but he didn’t take it. Her point was that you have to ASK if you want something. The Universe (and the person you are talking to) does not have ESP.
I wrote the following in response to her story and then found the napkin quote a few minutes later. Because this is Optimism/Pessimism week it all seemed to fit together.
Just in case people need more reasons to ‘just ask’…In 2010 I just happen to see a tweet scroll by from someone I followed but didn’t really know from Eve. She simply said something like ‘So, what do you want?’ I was about to respond with something witty and silly but instead I decided to investigate who she was. I went to her twitter page, then to her website and found out she was a life and career coach focusing on helping creative people. So, I responded on twitter with, ‘I want two hours of your time.’
She called me that afternoon and we spent 1/2 an hour talking about how she couldn’t give 2, but would give 1 hour in a phone consultation the next day after she had time to review my work, my blog and my website.
The next day we spent 1 1/2 hours on the phone going over where I was, what steps I could take to move forward. What was essential to be fixed immediately, what could put off. How to focus on what would return good results, how to let go of distracting elements, and more.
Her request when I asked what I could do to return the favor was that I donate time to help the homeless. She didn’t want a follow up, didn’t want me to feel obligated to her. She just wanted me to help the homeless somehow.
As a result of that conversation I submitted a proposal to Social Media Tulsa to be a speaker. At that session I was heard by two women, one hired me to be a speaker at an organization’s state conference and another, Becky McCray, has become my champion and encouraged me to submit a proposal to Blog World.
As a result of my speaking at the state conference I was hired to be the keynote at their regional conference this year. As a result of speaking at Blog World I have been invited to speak at the Blog World New York event which is co-located with BookExpo NY, where you can be sure I will be asking all about getting my book published!
Are you listening for the door or complaining of the noise?
Drawing by Marty Coleman, who took typing in High School
Quote by Oscar Wilde, who did not.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 11, 2012 | Milton Berle, Optimism/Pessimism - 2012 |
As I mentioned earlier this week my first one-person exhibition of my art work in 20 years is now up. My last one-person show was at Smith Gallery on the UC Santa Cruz campus in 1991. I moved to Oklahoma in 1994 and gave up being an exhibiting artist for a while. My first piece in a show in Oklahoma was at Apertures Gallery in 2005, 11 years after moving here.
What that means is that most of my exhibiting art life I have been a ‘could-be’. Sometimes I have been an ‘are’. For while there I thought I was a ‘has-been’ wondering about my ‘might-have-beens’. What I am glad about though is no matter what happens in the future I will never be a ‘never-was’.
There is one, and only one reason, I won’t be a ‘never-was’. Because I made the effort to make something happen. I made that effort again and again and again. I took advantage, I networked, I got things in on deadline , I paid attention and I woke up each morning willing to do it again. Most of all, more important that any other thing, is I kept doing the work. All the time, any time, I did the work.
It doesn’t matter if I spend most of my time as an ‘are’ – well known with accolades and money, or most of my time as a ‘could-be’, hoping for those things and the opportunities it brings. What matters is that I did the work. The work is what guarantees I won’t be a ‘never-was’.
Are you doing your work?
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, an artist with an exhibition up at Living Arts of Tulsa until Jan. 26th. You should go see it.
Quote by Milton Berle, a funny man.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 10, 2012 | Colleen Wilcox, Optimism/Pessimism - 2012 |
Thank you to all the teachers for being the personification of optimism alive and well in the world.
Drawing and single sentence by Marty Coleman, who had a cowlick as a kid.
Quote by Colleen Wilcox
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 9, 2012 | Optimism/Pessimism - 2012, Thomas Fuller |
I was delayed a week by my exhibition opening, but we shall now continue with Optimism/Pessimism Week at the NDD!
Are you under a pessimism cloud?
You know those beautiful days in late fall and early spring when it feels warm and wonderful when you are in the sun but have a cloud come over and all the wintery chill lays over you like a blanket? That is how I feel when I am with certain people. Pessimists tend to be that cloud. Some are consciously trying to diminish joy or happiness, but most aren’t. Most are doing nothing more than what they would consider to be normal and even prudent things. They might be bringing up possible dangers for a course of action. They might be pointing out the negative characteristics of someone in order to warn you of them. In their mind, it is helpful to be a pessimist because bad things constantly happen and we should be prepared for it.
But the pessimist usually does not accomplish his or her goal of being safer or happier by being negative. Whatever their conscious intent and reasons, the effect is to suppress joy and enthusiasm. That is what they actually accomplish.
If you happen to be with one of those people, you will also suppress your joy and enthusiasm because those are feelings you naturally want to share and you are with someone who can’t or won’t contribute in the sharing. It’s like being a fun and joyous child who is with a stern parent constantly telling them no. It’s depressing and debilitating.
The way out, it seems to me, is easy enough in one situation. You have a somewhat casual friend who is this person and you make a pretty simple and easy decision to no longer be their friend. But most situations are not that easy. It might be a closer friend, one who relies on you and you are committed to over many years. It might be a boss or a co-worker you can’t get out from under without risking too much, or it might be a spouse/partner with whom you are hopelessly entangled financially, emotionally, materially and more.
In those harder cases you will only be able to retain your joy and enthusiasm for life by either getting above the cloud, being the brighter, hotter sun that evaporates it, or by finding ways to get out from under the cloud for moments at a time. Whether it is by delving into your creative spirit, moving out into the world and connecting to others in group activities, or by choosing a non-reactive response to the pessimism.
None of those are easy choices, but staying under the cloud is much harder for your soul and will eventually destroy it.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, who has had 6 dogs in his life (Moses, Robbie, Vodka, Oreo, Gracie and Sadie.)
Quote by Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661, Chaplain Extraordinary to Charles II
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 6, 2012 | Art, Dante Gabriel Rossetti |
In honor of me having my first big art exhibition opening in 20 years tonight I thought I would draw something about ART. See below the drawing for more info about the opening.
If you don’t have an idea, a concept, then not only are you lost, but you give no assurance to those looking at the work that there is anything to look at. Yes, art must stand on it’s own without words, but the idea behind the work, its ‘raison d’être’ must be apparent if one is willing to look into it.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, who learned to fly at age 13.
Quote by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, an artist.
My exhibition, ‘Velveteen Women’ is opening tonight at Living Arts of Tulsa. The opening is from 6-9, is free and open to all. There will be other galleries down the street also having openings so you can make a fun art night out of it! Living Arts is located at the corner of Brady and Detroit in the Brady District of downtown Tulsa.
There was a very cool write up in the Tulsa World Newspaper about the show, and also in Urban Tulsa Weekly.
Here are a few images from the show. If you are in the Tulsa area I hope you can make it to the opening, if not the show will be up for 3 weeks.
I will have all the images up after the show opens and will give the link here in a few days.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 3, 2012 | Optimism/Pessimism - 2012 |
And for our first series of 20twelve…it’s Day ONE of Optimism/Pessimism Week at the NDD.
I am old enough to know that many people with great ideas aren’t necessarily people with the wherewithal to turn those ideas into reality. Since I have no money to invest that has never made me a poor pessimist. But it has taught me that a great song and dance routine does not a success make. I don’t mind the song and dance, but I would want to know that the person has a track record, that I can verify, of following through on their plans.
Could they still fail? Of course. But it isn’t failure that bothers me (at least to the me with no money at stake). What bothers me is lack of effort, lack of focus, lack of follow through. I don’t like it in myself, and I don’t like it in others. I still love plenty of people with those issues, but I am not going to trust them with my money or, even more importantly, my emotional and time investment.
Have you invested in an optimist? Did it make you a pessimist? Tell us the story.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman, a man who can’t touch his left shoulder with the fingers on his left hand.
Quote by C. T. Jones, that’s all I know.
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by Marty Coleman | Jan 2, 2012 | Marty Coleman, New Years Resolutions |
Think of all that has happened in the last year. I started speaking at conferences for the first time, three of them to be exact. Over a year ago I submitted a proposal for an exhibition of my photo-collages but hadn’t heard back anything by 1/1/11. Now I am 4 days away from the exhibition’s opening night (Living Arts of Tulsa, Friday, January 6th, 6-9pm). I had one daughter living in Tulsa and one in Seattle. Now I have one in parts unknown and one in Berkeley, CA. Those are just a few things among many. Two of those events I made happen by putting myself out there. My daughter’s life events I had very little control over, watching mainly from the sidelines.
What about you? What happened this year? What happen that you had some control over? What happened you had very little control over?
Stuff is going to happen to you in the next year. Stuff you can’t control and have no say in. But there will be plenty of things that will happen ONLY if you decide to make them happen. Are you going to push to make things happen, believing they can happen if you set your mind to it or are you going to let opportunities pass by, believing you are not able or being fearful of possible bad outcomes?
Will you look back on 1/1/13 and feel you did what you could?
Drawing, commentary and quote by Marty Coleman, a man who likes the funny stuff.
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