Why the title?

"Pioneers take the arrows"

Oh, wait. I should be upbeat and taking arrows doesn't sound like an upbeat thing to say.

So, let me amend that statement.

It was courage and vision that led the pioneers to leave behind a comfortable, settled life and trek West to begin a new life in a new place. Many of those from the East that went West found a strength within themselves that they didn't see while they were in their old life. Instead of being one of those that just kind of went along with the others in the old life, they became leaders and visionaries in their new lives.

The sentiments of that last paragraph come from a favorite author, Louis L'Amour, in many of his books. So, I can't really say that it is an original thought from me. However, what he said is truthful.

Welcome to being a pioneer. Look ahead and ignore the "barking dogs" that give you negative opinions and comments. Louis L'Amour also spoke of the barking dogs.

In some of his stories, it was usually a father or older man telling a young boy how it was that when the Westward bound Conestoga wagons rolled through towns, the dogs came out to bark at them. His character then told the young listener that the barking didn't stop the wagons from going on to their destinations.

Following the advice of the Louis L'Amour characters, may we all forge ahead with our plans, after carefully considering all consequences and leave the "barkers" behind.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

What Is Good About Art Critics?

And, really……who can be a good art critic?

It is my contention, and that will remain forever so, that everyone can be a good art critic. All one has to do is experience a form of artwork, whether it be sculpture, oil paintings, photographs, and even music and say, “Yeah, I’d like to have that in my home.” Voila!!!! Instant art critic.

Now, since I’ve had a mother for an art experience, I’m OBVIOUSLY better than everyone else for understanding art. I mean, she painted and always had some form of music playing in the house. We even created the music ourselves at times. (Well, I created a noise that kind of “complimented” her music.)

Really? Am I better? Of course not. I can only speak to whether I would hang a particular painting in my home, or play the music, or put a sculpture (albeit, small) on my table. By the same token, those that live their lives as “art critics” do so at the expense of others. Does a restaurant owner worry that a food critic will give them a bad review? Are the opinions of the food critic better than the popularity of the restaurant to actual customers?

Films are another example. How many “critically acclaimed” movies have been losing propositions in regards to box office proceeds? I can remember when “The Passion of the Christ” was so derided by all the critics as being a bad movie, but it was an extremely profitable one.

Thus, I contend that the readers of this blog are far better critics than I am in many ways. That is because you are best for deciding what it is you like and don’t like. On the other hand, if you are reading this blog, I’m beginning to wonder about you. Don’t you have ANYTHING better to do?

I do. Let’s look at some art together. We’ll start with some more photos of my mother’s paintings. I’ve not done that in a while, and Richard (RV PAINTER) painted a good one recently, which prompted me to get back to showing beauty again. (Oh, and abstract art, where the ear in a portrait is actually on the top of the head of the subject, doesn’t really tingle my toes.)

I had previously posted that Mother had a love for the West. She loved all of nature, but the west interested her more than the East. So, here are a few showing western country and western cultural scenes.

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Richard will love this one…..it has critters in it.

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Western living and scene

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And a “monochrome”:

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Oh, and Cowboys….(did I ever mention I sort of used to be one?)

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And, I’d like to see views like this from our RV.

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OK.  Six of hers, and how about one photo from me.  This from Arches National Park in 2002.  A test for Richard….can you see the explorer, the somewhat reclining Indian and the obscene gesture?

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2 comments:

  1. My eyes went right to the obscene gesture!!! :>)
    Some more beautiful pieces by your mother and a wonderful photo by you. Very nice work.

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  2. There is hope for you after all. Did you find the "somewhat reclining" Indian and the explorer?

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