Redtree Times

The Uplifted Heart– At West End Gallery

As I walked in the woods I felt what I often feel that nothing can befall me in life, no calamity, no disgrace (leaving me my eyes) to which Nature will not offer a sweet consolation. Standing on the bare ground with my head bathed by the blithe air, & uplifted into the infinite space, I become happy in my universal relations. The name of the nearest friend sounds then foreign & accidental. I am the heir of uncontained beauty and power.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson, Journals

I am the heir of uncontained beauty and power…

Love this passage from Emerson. It doesn’t get much better. If only everyone could experience that feeling. Maybe we would be less cruel, less petty, less judgmental, less close-minded. 

More helpful than hurtful.

That’s all I am going to say this morning. Just share my normal triad of word, image and song. Along with Emerson’s words there is the painting at the top, The Uplifted Heart.  At 24″ by 24″ on canvas, it very much echoes Emerson’s thought for me. It’s included in my show, Persistent Rhythm, now hanging at the West End Gallery. 

To finish the triad, here’s a song that I played a couple of times over the years. It’s a longtime favorite from Lou Reed. This is Perfect Day. It feels right alongside this painting and Emerson’s words.

And finally, a reminder that I will be giving a Gallery Talk this coming Saturday, August 10, at the West End Gallery. It begins at 11 AM and there will the normal shenanigans, if you know what I mean. There will be more details here in the next day or two.