I`m not going back

                                        Root Crown and Forest acrylic on Yupo 20x20 inches

 Like everyone I know, I`m consumed with worry about what my country might do. Much of the time I have faith but then the Washington Post refuses to endorse anyone, including the only sane candidate. What in the world could be behind such a public display of cowardice from the owner Jeff Bezos?? That spooks me.  After so many of those who worked with Donald Trump have alerted the world to the dire  emergency his election would be, the polls are tied. After 2016 there aren`t any arrogant Democrats alive with complete confidence the country will do the right thing. I can only hope, we all know who he is. The people will speak.

This moment is striking in the similarities with Nazi Germany. If you replace 'immigrants' from the  language of Trump and Vance with Jews, it`s the same scapegoating in an effort to create anger. That fomented rage is the engine Trump thinks will propel him back into power. It may, or not if reason  prevails.  October began in sheer horror seeing what Hurricane Helene did to the Southeast. The images alone have caused trauma. I can barely imagine the misery in those mountain towns as rescue workers fight to get basic necessities to all those isolated people. Then along comes Milton!

 Having been shocked beyond belief once, I will not make that mistake again. I imagine how desolate life will feel if Trump wins and I try to think of an appropriate response. The fear and dread will be massive, how can I be something positive and helpful? I`m working on that, there are eight days left. One thing is certain, even if the country becomes a Christian nationalist state, I will not shut up and I will not re-enter the closet. 

 

                                                Oceanside watercolor on Yupo 26x20 inches

                                                                        Oceanside

 One of my favorite beaches. The painting is a view of the waves pushing between the giant cliff and the little 'hat box' rock on the left in the photo. As the tide comes in, that passage is filled with liquid drama. We got away to the coast after the Lake Owego Open Studios. Thanks to all that came by, our conversations meant a lot to me.

                                                       Dunes acrylic on plastic 12x18 inches

 A mystery plastic surface, I was looking for a Yupo equivalent in a different size. This did not accept watercolor at all but would take acrylic if medium was added to the washes. It`s called Nara and I guess was formulated for alcohol inks. From India.

                                               Birth of Rainier acrylic on plastic 12x12 inches

                                           October Forest watermedia on Yupo 12x9 inches

The darkness is a definite challenge but once the morning finally begins, it is magnificent outside. Here are a couple of photos from nearby Champoeg State Park from last week;

                                                                    by Jane Hynous

This won by a lot in a competition of student designs for the 'I voted' stickers. She nailed it.

                                                     Portrait of Van Gogh by Francis Bacon

This is a favorite of Francis Bacon`s psychologically charged works. From early on, painting the darker side of human experience was his obsession. The work before 1960 was particularly strong. This portrait is actually based on Van Gogh`s own self portrait 'The Painter on the Road to Tarascon'. Bacon placed the painter in a box, his feet mired in turbulent mud. An effective metaphor of the troubled artist.

Sort of how it feels to be American right now.

See you on the other side.

work for sale in my studio