LIFE ABIDES

Wintertime, even in California, can stress the endurance level of the psyche. We North Americans and Europeans though, have established methods of sidetracking our winter blues by taking some of our gains made during the year and sharing with both our loved ones and with others less fortunate. Whether it is in the name of a religion, or just for the sake of it, it works.

It can be a leafless sycamore tree waiting for spring to arrive,

an evergreen tree carrying a burden of snow,

or seeds buried in the cold ground, waiting for the signal of warmth,

life in a multitude of forms will always continue.

This blog dedicated to Elaine Davis

BEYOND OUR BORDERS

    In this past week, many thoughts about Nelson Mandela: who he was, where he came from, what he stood for, what he did, how many loved him.

portrait by Paul Blomkamp



    It made me realize how Eurocentric/Americentric my thoughts about art are. So I took a little look at some of the art coming out of South Africa. Not surprisingly, I found plenty of vibrant images. Enjoy.

I'M IN LOVE

    Yes, I've fallen in love, with a 77 year old man: muralist Richard Haas. Sadly, he is already married, but I can still admire him from afar. How his existence escaped me all these years until recently is a mystery.

    I would call Richard Haas the American muralist king of Trompe l'oeil (fool the eye). His works, which are mostly found across America, not only enhance a city, they contribute to its preservation. Haas is an academic, which I don't hold against him, but his works are for everyday people. Wisconsin born, he was influenced very early on by that state's architectural superstar, Frank Lloyd Wright.

    The largest concentration of Haas' work is in the Illinois town of Homewood, which commissioned him to do a series of murals around town. Eventually, this forward thinking town became the living gallery to twelve of his murals. The simplicity of some of these works gives little indication of the grandeur to come from this artist.

    In 1975, when New York City's Soho district was not the trendy place it is now, Haas added a wall of windows to a building on Prince Street.

 

    Chicago became the lucky recipient of Haas' work in 1980 at the LaSalle Towers. Potential renters at the building often asked for apartments with the bay windows, which were actually only an illusion.

    You can guess where this work called "Cincinnatus" is.

    The Edison Bros. building in St. Louis became the recipient of this beautiful makeover.

    The Oregon History Center was bathed in historic symbols with these works by Haas in 1989.

    This representation of the famous Native American, Blackhawk, was done in 1992 in Chicago.

    A new "view" of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami appeared in 1985.

    The Brooklyn Bridge peeked out anew on the Con Edison building in New York in 1981.

    The Chisholm Trail cattle drive lives again in Ft. Worth Texas.

    The Boston School of Architecture appropriately asked for Haas's work to grace their building.

    On Pittsburg, PA's Byham Theater can be found an ode to steelmaking.

    The Bank One major league baseball park in Phoenix, AZ was transformed in 1998.

What a wonderful legacy of art this man has given our cities.

SOUR GRAPES

    Gently rolling hills. Acres and acres of grape vines. Winding roads leading to picturesque wine tasting rooms. What is not to love?
    Sappy vineyard themed artwork. Just as the seashore inspires throngs of would be artists, so do the vineyards. Way too many blah, mushy, sappy paintings are offered up to the tourists.

    The rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties are unique in that they harbor a real industry and yet are stunningly beautiful. The curves of the hills versus the multitude of rows planted with grape vines are great material for artistic composition.
    Ok, ok. Some artists do actually get it right and produce works that are much more than greeting card quality. Here are some that I admire. Cheers.

Track through the Vineyards by Britain's Julian Merrow-Smith

Autumn at Bray Vineyards by Ellie Caputo of Jackson, CA, based on a photo by Dick Carter

Vineyard Summer Afternoon by artist Joseph Peller

Vineyard Sunrise by "Johndude"

France!!! by Marin County's Timothy Horn

Wine Country by Canada's Phillip Craig.

Sonoma County Vineyard by Kelseyville's Steven Guy Bilodeau

Sunset Vineyard by Sonoma County's Nancy Ray Ricciardi

Jack London Vineyard by Mark Farina

Vineyard Afternoon Hwy 12 by California's Daniel Aldana

Carneros Region, a photograph by Petaluma's Lance Kuehne

Behind Kozlowski Farms by Sonoma County's Judith Butler