Redtree Times

Human history can be viewed as a slowly dawning awareness that we are members of a larger group.

–Carl Sagan, Cosmos

Maybe the way we view ourselves as being part of a group is the dividing line that separates us these days.

Some of us adhere to Carl Sagan’s view that throughout our history we have moved away from seeing ourselves as part of a single small group based on race, religion, occupation, wealth, or any number of other factors that are used to define us. It focuses on the commonalities that we share with others, both here on Earth and beyond.

This is an expansive and inclusive viewpoint.

On the other hand, there are those who deny this view of history and our humanity. They desire to become even more singular and narrow in their definitions.

It is exclusionary and limiting in its scope.

Those are seemingly pretty big differences to overcome. It can be frustrating, even depressing, to contemplate this division. But history shows that we do continue to progress forward. Perhaps slower than we would like and periodically with setbacks to this progress that will take time and effort to repair.

History also shows that the exclusionary factions may have their day in the sun but eventually succumb to the sheer numbers that make up the march of progress. 

I am still feeling poorly and wasn’t going to write anything this morning. However, I thought I might feel a bit better if I were to remind myself that history will usually self-correct, that darkness cannot last forever. I thought this painting, Witness to the Dawn, sort of summed up what I was thinking.

Hopeful and forward looking.  

This new painting is 10″ by20″ on canvas on canvas and is included in my solo exhibit, Guiding Light, now hanging at the West End Gallery in Corning, NY. The exhibit end Thursday, November 13.

Plus, on Saturday, November 1, there is also a GALLERY TALK taking place, beginning at 11 AM. Watch this space in the coming days for further details.

Here’s a song from Pearl Jam that also sums up a bit of what I am pulling from this painting. It’s called Just Breathe. I am also throwing in Willie Nelson’s take in the song from a number of years back, assisted by his son, Lukas.