Wow.
That’s about anyone can say after these last few days, days which may go down as some of the craziest ever seen in the history of our nation. I am not going to say much here on the subject of candidate Trump. There’s not much to say except that this is not a big shocker to me. I’ve said it before: Trump has shown us who and what he is repeatedly over the past decades.
If you are surprised by any revelation about this creature– I hesitate to use the word man in this case– that has come out (or any that is bound to emerge because I have to believe there is plenty more in the bullpen just waiting patiently to be unleashed) then you haven’t been watching closely enough. Either that or you are, as my father likes to say– even in his current state of Alzheimer’s–among the most gullible people on the face of the earth.
And for those out there waking up this morning still believing that Trump is some kind of positive answer or agent of change, I feel pity for them. That kind of denial of reality can only point to a life that will be further filled with anger, hatred and discontent.
And that is a sad thing for them. And for those around them. And for this country.
Okay, enough said on that for now. I need some comforting on this ominously quiet Sunday morning. The painting at the top is a new 9″ by 12″ canvas that is part of my upcoming show at the Kada Gallery which opens October 29. I call this piece Adagio in Blue. It has a calming presence in its colors and composition that fulfills my needs this morning. I am coupling it with a classical piece this morning, the Adagio from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 as played by French pianist Hélène Grimaud. It’s a beautiful piece and a well produced video presentation.
Think of it as a peaceful respite from the crap storm cutting through our political world at the moment. Relax and try to have a good day.
Time for some Sunday morning music and the gray skies here today along with everything else that is going on call for something a bit slower and quiet in tone. I thought I would feature the piano of the great Bill Evans (1929-1980) and the song My Foolish Heart.
Just came across a really nice video that was filmed in late June. It was part of the 
First thing this morning, many thanks to everyone who came out to the West End Gallery on Friday night for the opening of my show there. I am most appreciative for anyone who takes the time on a hot Friday summer evening to come into the gallery. It was great seeing old and new friends as well as seeing how they reacted to the work, which was hung beautifully by Lin and Jesse. They did a great job pairing the paintings with original glass work — each seemed to reflect and enhance the other.
The race leader this year is past two-time Tour winner Chris Froome, a Kenyan-born Brit whose skinny frame hides a huge diesel motor within that seems to just chug and chug without end. Froome’s dominance is quite remarkable but just enduring such a race is incredible in itself. Three weeks with only two days of rest that covers about 2100 miles that wind around France and neighboring countries, up and over the highest peaks and mountain passes in the Alps and Pyrenees. 
I am really swamped in the studio getting work ready for my upcoming show at the West End Gallery. Too much to d0 so I wasn’t going to write anything today except maybe mention the start this morning of this year’s Tour de France, one of the great spectacles of world sport. This great bicycling event starts at Mont Saint Michel, an old abbey on a tidal island off the of coast Normandy, France. As you can see in the photo above, it’s an amazing sight, one that always stirs some mysterious emotional response within me.
Be Cheerful, Live your life– that is the translation of the words on this mosaic.
In the last few months we lost two of the most unique and transcendent musicians of our time, David Bowie in January and now Prince. Luckily for us, both had long and prolific careers and left large musical legacies behind. I admired Prince greatly and I think that is all there is to say, especially after the millions of words written and spoken over the past few days. I don’t think I can stand to see another tweet on one of the news channels form some celebrity saying that this is how it sounds when doves cry.
I wanted to feature some music this morning that kind of jibed with the Henri Matisse Blue Nude cut-outs above that the artist produced in the early 1950’s. I wasn’t sure what I wanted but I settled on something from composer Burt Bacharach. 
Ah, the dark days of winter are receding. The trees are budding out and the green of the grass (under the newly fallen four inches of snow!) is pushing aside the dead growth of a long gone last year. The robins have returned and once again the world makes sense– the daily metronome that is major league baseball returns today.
Redtree Times 