Science is Spectrum Analysis – updated 2017
In the end, you can find either in both. And both in either.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“Science is spectrum analysis: Art is photosynthesis.” – Karl Kraus
While One Person Hesitates – updated 2017
It is frustrating to hear a person talk about their low self-esteem, their feelings of inferiority all the while knowing that the only way to move past it is the one way they are not willing to take.
They have to step out, they need to attempt, to try, to pursue, to leap, to jump, to dive, to fly, to run, to love, to create, to build, to play, to meet, to greet, to talk, to write, to kiss, to touch, to bless, to work, to go, to swim, to do.
They do not need to figure out why they have low self-esteem first, before they act. They need to act, and act again and again and again.
My favorite song is ‘Jubilee’ by Mary Chapin-Carpenter. My favorite part in the song goes like this:
And I can tell by the way you’re talking
That the past isn’t letting you go
But there’s only so long you can take it all on
And then the wrong’s gotta be on its ownAnd when you’re ready to leave it behind you
You’ll look back, and all that you’ll see
Is the wreckage and rust that you left in the dust
On your way to the jubilee
You leave it behind you by moving, by acting, by doing. Go.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“While one person hesitates because they feel inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior.” – Henry C. Link, dates unknown, American author, wrote ‘Return To Religion’, 1937
Worth Sharing:
The Great Tragedy of Science – updated 2017
It is also the great redemption of science. It is sad to see a great idea vanquished, but progress is made that way. Just think of the other areas of life that could benefit from using of the scientific method.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“The great tragedy of science – the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.” – T. H. Huxley, 1825-1895, English Biologist
Worth Sharing:
The Secret of Prosperity – updated 2017
I recently got into a conversation online under a posting by a friend of mine. She mentioned that God had been telling her husband that they should live a debt free life. My response was that it sounded more like common sense than God.
Their ensued a long conversation ranging from one who thinks God holds all the money and we are all rich if we just ask to those who thought it might not be wise to get rid of their mortgage, even if they could.
It made me think about how people make their decisions. Some need to have the blanket of God verbally draped over everything to give it validity, whether it is going to get a burger or buying a house. Others make their decisions based purely on feelings and needs and desires without regard to the wisdom of the choice. Many more are somewhere in between.
In the end though, common sense delivers. Don’t spend more than you make. Don’t invest in something that seems too good to be true. Don’t believe someone is neutral who has a vested interest, they aren’t. Understand basic principles of finance and money.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“The secret to prosperity in common life is to be common-place in principle.” – Walter Bagehot, 1826-1877, English businessman and journalist
Worth Sharing:
We Need To Be Just – updated 2017
I like this quote, it makes sense. What is the use of being generous if we aren’t fair, if we aren’t just, in how we approach our generosity and our response to needs we see before us.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
Worth Sharing:
Men Are Not Punished – updated 2017
That is how you know they are ‘sins’, not because there is a book or a prophet or a rule, but because it destroys you (and likely those around you as well).
It may not do it today, and it may not be a physical activity like drinking, but be on the look out for what destroys you. If you want to call it sin, that is fine. I don’t usually call it that, too much baggage, not enough reality to that word. But it also does have some punch to it and if that is what it takes, ok.
Whatever you call it, get rid of it.
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“Men are not punished for their sins, but by them.” – Elbert Hubbard
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It Is The Triumph – updated 2017
What better topic than reason for me to draw a napkin that makes no sense!
“It is the triumph of reason to get on well with those who possess none.” – Voltaire
Drawing © Marty Coleman
Worth Sharing:
When Gossip Grows Old – updated 2017
A myth isn’t something that is not true. It could be a true story, just as gossip can, on occasion, be true.
The key with both myth and gossip is that it doesn’t matter if it is historically true or not. The story is not told out of a desire to impart history. It is told out of a desire to explain the moral universe.
That might seem like a giant claim for something as petty as gossip, but think about the motivation of the gossip teller. They are attempting to back up their version of right and wrong by illustrating it with a story about someone else doing bad. They don’t really care if the person really did the bad thing, the care that their idea of good and bad is known.
Myth is no different. A myth such as this one, the story of Icarus flying to close to the sun, is about him trying to be like the gods, being prideful and being filled with chutspah. It isn’t about if it really happened or not. Whether the ancient greek stories, the bible stories or others from the past, the ideas are what are important, not the historical veracity of the story.
Drawing by Marty Coleman
“When gossip grows old it becomes myth.” – Stanislaus Lec
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Breast Impressions – A Breast Cancer Charity Project
This is a little different than what you are used to seeing at The Napkin. But it is something I created for a charity auction and thought you might like to see it. It is titled ‘The Singing Inside’ and consists of the painted body cast set inside a frame made from the wood of an old piano. It is a lamp as well, with a rope light wound around the two supports holding the cast in place.
Here is the story. I was asked to participate in a breast cancer charity auction. ‘Breast Impressions’ of Tulsa and its founder, Judy Grove, created body casts of various celebrities in the Tulsa area. Artist’s around town then ‘adopted’ a cast, painted it and put it up for auction with the proceeds going to the charity. I adopted this one. I had no idea who the model was and the rule is the artist wouldn’t know unless the model actually wanted it to be known. In this case the model, a well known TV news reporter, and I knew each other and when she found out I was the artist that had picked her piece she contacted me and let me know it was her. That added a cool personal element to creating the image. I thought about her personality and character and it helped form my ideas for the piece.
It started out as just a plain white plaster of paris cast of her torso. That was given to me with no restrictions on what I could do with it. I had done some sculptures years before that used translucent mannequin bodies. In those I had ended up making one into a lamp so I had thought I would try that in this instance as well.
Here is a close up of the painting with two of my oldest and favorite characters, Talking Turtle and Singing Snake. I also included on of my recurring images, a volcano. It seemed perfect for the idea of something coming from the inside.
I even got an engraved title plate for the piece.
I figured it was almost like a person so it should be buckled up for the trip to the exhibition site. If it had a head I might have been tempted to drive in the HOV lane!
It was on display at the Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma in September and October of 2009. The auction took place in the center court of the mall and was a great success. My piece was purchased by a wealthy donor who then gave it to the Abbie, the woman who initially modeled for the piece. She still proudly displays it in her home.
Artwork by Marty Coleman
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As Long As I Continue – updated 2017
‘Childish’ can refer to the immature and baby-like tantrums that children sometimes have. The author is not referring to that type of ‘childish’.
He is referring to the ‘child-like’ activities of joy and wonder and fun and exploration. The unself-conscious ability to play in the rain and get muddy, the ability to wrestle with your dog or play hide and seek with your cat. He is talking about having fun in harmless ways.
Do you still have that in you?
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“As long as I continue to hear ‘normal’ people telling me I am too childish, I know I am doing just fine.” – Wayne Dyer, American author and lecturer, not dead yet.
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The Napkin Dad