Saturday, September 29, 2012

Salon Vault 2012-W39

For many, Summer ends with Labor Day weekend.  Even though it can be plenty hot in September.  And yet Monday brings October and that is indisputably Autumn or Fall, however you call it.  But irrespective of the season, your blogmaster spent today manning his table at a perhaps too-late yard sale and wondering "why?!"  You can read more about that at the Painterly Thoughts blog (link on the right).  But first please enjoy these works from the Vault.


by Marge:

Can Can Contemplation


by David:

Where'd That Cradle Go?!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Salon Vault 2012-W38

ありがとう to our first ever visitor from Japan.  Spelled phonetically that is Arigato (Mister Roboto).  Moving on, we all know about Spring Cleaning.  In theory if not in practice.  Well, one equinox is as good as another— so for the remaining two posts in September we are sweeping out the blogmaster's Vault.  Today features plein air works in exotic locations...  by Steve (in Spain) and David (in Kenilworth).  Each may have a story behind it, and one story is told in David's blog...  Enjoy!


by Steve:

En El Retiro, Madrid


by David:

Vignette of Astilbe

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Salon What's-that? 2012-W37

First things first, we had our first visit from Poland, dziękuję, and sometime today we will hit our 3,750 visit.  Hurray on both counts!  Salon did not meet today.  So in lieu of a "roundup" of one artist, your blogmaster took this opportunity to invite you to visit a new, weekly blog.  Check it out and learn more of the story behind today's painting.  Click here to  open the "Painterly Thoughts" blog.  There is also a convenient link to your right.  Enjoy!


by David:

Draco in Flight

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Salon Showcase 2012-W36

After a long summer break, the Salonians gathered today for a lot of catching up — plus, a side order of art-making.  See for yourself!


by Eileen:

Killarney


by Marge:

Longing


by Jacqueline:

Off-kilter House


by Glen:

Who's Leading Whom?


by Steve:

detail from work in progress


by David:

Poochy Puffs Pipe Pastureside

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Salon Roundup 2012-W35

(Roundup, Party of One...   Ah well, I had low hopes of collecting any other works, what with the holiday weekend upon us.  As an egalitarian blogmaster I rigorously avoid first-person narratives, but today I will use my artistic license to waive that and introduce my painting.)

The late 1960's were a time of social upheaval and wars, hot and cold.  Fortunately I was a pre-teen who paid little attention to these boring matters as I rolled up my stack of newspapers for afternoon delivery—though I still clearly remember the day Judy Garland died in June, 1969.  That was a surprise.  Big headline.  But nothing to compare with what was to come a month later.

Like most families of the era, we had dutifully watched every NASA launch and splashdown on grainy black-and-white televisions.  We as a nation celebrated every incremental achievement in the space race.  We mourned the terrible disaster of Apollo 1.  And now, a month after Judy's passing, Apollo 11 was in orbit around the moon.  The Eagle was about to land...

I don't remember who was delivering the newspapers on my route, because I was 300 miles away on a solo visit to my Grandmother—and she had a color TV!  We watched tensely as the Eagle drifted downward but off course... finally landing safely on the moon.  Astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong began the six hours of preparations.  The moment was nearly upon us.

I remember vividly how my Grandmother and I, along with 500 million other people, sat awestruck watching the Eagle's hatch open.  Then came 17 agonizing minutes while Neil Armstrong slowly descended, finally lifting his left foot from the pad and setting it down on the moon.  A famous phrase was uttered.   I was amazed and elated.  What a time to be alive!  To this day, I earnestly believe that moment to be mankind's crowning achievement.

Often I wonder what marvels might yet be revealed in what remains of my lifetime.  Will someone walk on Mars?  Will we see proof that we are not alone in the Universe?  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, today's painting is in part to mourn Neil Armstrong's passing last week.  He bore the weight of being The First Man on the Moon with dignity the rest of his life.  But today's painting also celebrates the legacy left us by all the brave Astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.  Hip Hip Hurrah!


by David:

Imprint of a Small Step

p.s. This famous bootprint was made by Buzz Aldrin, testing the properties of the lunar regolith.  Good job, Buzzer.