Eva just gave her sister, Ariel, an unsupervised hair chop--no bangs! Rachel, my beautiful daughter, is due soon, I am relaxing at the condo pool, but still feel a little squeezed, and my grand daughter, Eva, is in her diva pose. I am painting whenever I need money and hanging out with my kids and their kids. Janey is into her second round of chemo, and life is sweet. Her lack of fear or negativity freaks me out sometimes, and its strange how our love has grown through these times--these really are good days for us. I am actually getting some momentum in the oil painting arena. I love my tiny studio and all of the beautiful amenities at the Vintner's Association Condos in Yountville, CA--which is the true center of Napa Valley. I am three blocks from the golf course and practice range, 50 yards from a beautiful lap pool/hot tub complex, two blocks from downtown Yountville with its cluster of world class dining and tasting rooms. The little market supplies all of my ice cream and tobacco. I still have to drive into Napa proper for a good buy on paper towels--dammit. I am ten miles from my gym which is two gallons of gas round trip which equals $250.00/month. I can walk to a gym in Yountville so I am thinking about making the adjustment.
I get ten requests a month for art work, but I have two collectors who buy everything I can paint, so that is a blessing. Art is a great friend in your old age. If you have to make a six figure income to stay afloat, then art stops and production begins--those days are gone forever--thank you Jesus. The American representational art scene with its magazines, books, tapes, workshops, seminars, associations, paint outs, paints ins, societies, gatherings, and web articles seems very distant and unimportant now as we await the total collapse of our economy and culture. Thought I would share this feeling with you all--just in case. Most of you know by now that I am a true prophet--right? I am seldom right about anything, but a dear friend said to me the other day, ".....Don, you seem to have the ability to see around the corner." I like that guy--very perceptive! Anyway, have a nice day.
Have a nice day. I hate that phrase and all of the sub text it implies. But I am going to stop here before this rant turns really weird. So.....who still loves ya--how do ya like me now? Don
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Don, this is good! You and Janie come to mind often and I like sending positive thoughts your way. . . . Nora
ReplyDeleteDon, so happy for you and Janey for finding your way on this path. Blessings to all your family - your priorities are right on target!
ReplyDeleteYou and Janey are inspirations. Thanks for the real-ness of who you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks y'all. I read and re-read every comment one hundred times--you make a difference. I graciously feel a strange and wonderful sense of cyber community. Don
ReplyDeleteSeeing around corners makes you the ultimate corner man, Don. And we get plenty-a-juice from you (plural) too, don't forget. Thank you for that! On second thought maybe you are the ultimate corner man because you refuse to cut any. That's what you teach, anyway. You say "you have to go hard after a painting. (Man. do I need to hear that! I hear that refrain in my head all the time and for many more reasons than just paint slapping). And now you are going hard after this part of your life too and we love it! "For you (plural) know Whom you have trusted!" Its beautiful. Great love, my brother!
ReplyDeleteHow do I like you now? As always, I love 'ya, (Toby)!! Thanks for the update; I shoulda checked sooner. The kids are adorable. As me mum was fond of saying in her final years, "All is well, and all will be well." One way or another, I guess. Now please show us some of those recent disgusting, filthy-money-making paintings that most of us would be thrilled to paint (even though recovering illustrators know what you mean.) -XXOO, Connie
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear from you. Grandchildren are a gift from the Lord, aren't they. Glad you're painting and selling and that there's peace in your home. I do wish you'd post some photos of what you've been doing.
ReplyDeleteHi Don, so glad to find you here. Been thinking about you and Janey and missing you both. Your family looks adorable and you are blessed to not only have them, but enjoy them. I'm just returning from a week on Monhegan and painting is pumping through my veins. I too would love to see some of your recent work. Went to meet Don Stone and we talked about you. He sends his prayers for Janey. Heck of a nice guy. His art was inspiring. Give me a call sometimes...
ReplyDelete"its strange how our love has grown through these times--these really are good days for us"
ReplyDeleteYou have it exactly right, Don.
Cherish the times and gifts.
You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
Don, you can't imagine how good it is to read your words here. You probably will never know how many folks are thinking of you and praying for you and Janey.
ReplyDeleteDeut. 33:27 comes to mind.
We're in the midst of the huge devastating fire in New mexico, but all we stand to lose is our house and "stuff" - as we packed the car with "essentials' in case of an evacuation order, it was very interesting how very little we have is really "essential". You've got it just right.
Family, faith, friends. That's it.
God's blessing and continued care for you all....
Don, Glad to hear that art is becoming art again for you. Wishing you the best, Andre
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