Happy St. Patrick's Day

This graphic came across my radar late last night - at least the original version did. I searched and found this version which tickled my Irish fancy perfectly. 

Somewhere, in the great beyond, my dear departed Irish mother is rolling her eyes and trying not to giggle. Cheers on this Saint Patrick's Day one and all!

Happiness Is Like A Butterfly…

I stumbled across this lovely visual treatment of Henry David Thoreau's insights on happiness as created by the very talented Australian artist Gavin Aung Than (Than is also the creator behind the wonderful Zen Pencils.)

Sublime and gentle in its eternal truth, this visual is too lovely and the message too important and too valid not to share.

Enjoy the tried and true way to happiness…

And They Said It Couldn’t Be Done…

One particularly cold, bleak and blustery day in January of this year, I came across a little tucked-away shelf of house plants while grocery shopping at the local Safeway.

The plants, nestled in little sienna brown painted plastic pots, had a tropical aura about them and their lush green leaves and bright, cheerful blooms, shone like bright beacons of the coming promise of Spring, warmth, and sunshine.

Plus, they were under 5 bucks each.

Immediately, the sucker-for-a-bargain section of my psyche (firmly planted by my Depression-era raised Yankee mother) leapt into action. I moved closer to the display of the cheery, tiny pots of sunshine as a vision of one of them happily fitting perfectly on a lonely, winter weary shelf in my bathroom filled my mind. 

Moments later, I had one of the pots in my hand. It was a small, yet well formed plant with a cluster of vibrant yellow flowers encircled by healthy green leaves. I could almost hear it greeting me a sincere good morning in that happy sing-song way as I stepped out of the shower. 

The clerk at the checkout informed me that the plant was called a primrose and that they they had been very popular that week. He further explained that after they were gone, they wouldn’t be getting any back until next winter. The sucker-for-a-bargain section of my psyche internally smiled with smugness because the only thing better than a bargain is bargain that’s flying off the shelves…

After purchase and arrival home, I realized that I had made the right decision the minute I repotted the primrose and placed it on the bathroom shelf. It did indeed brighten the bleakness of a cold winter morning and the blooms gloriously lasted for weeks.

It wasn’t until the blooms began to fade and drop and the leaves began to brown and crumble around the edges that I decided to read about the primrose. According to everything I read, the plants were known as “throw-aways.” Once the bloom was gone, toss it out and move on as getting them to rebloom was next to impossible.

It may have been the most depressing words about a houseplant that I had ever come across – not that I spent much time reading sad stories about houseplants, but the idea of tossing out my little pal that had brought such cheeriness simply because his usefulness was questioned made my heart sink a little.

My green-thumbed Yankee determination kicked into high-gear. I was not only going to save this little plant, I was going to carry it across the impossible valley of darkness and into the magical land of “Rebloom”.

And that’s exactly what I did. Say hello to my resurrected, re-blooming as of this morning, little bit of sunshine Primrose buddy. And realize that Spring really is just around the corner and that sometimes the impossible is possible…

Artistic Recharge In Nature

I'll be the first to state that I fully realize that I am quite fortunate to live close enough to the coast that I can be standing by the shore of the glorious Atlantic ocean in less than 10 minutes after leaving my home (20 if on my bike). But, I  think it's important for anyone working in the arts to realize how potent the recharging effect of one's artistic psyche's internal creative battery can be by stepping away from your work and into nature.


Illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun, the shadow of artist Michael Sprouse stretches along the boardwalk leading to the shore at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware.

If you can't get to the beach, then head to the nearest nature trail. No nature trail, then head to the nearest park. If there is no park, then head up to the roof the closest, nearest tall building and gaze into the heavens.

The point is this - taking the time to occasionally connect to the eternal energy of pure creation - which is not only all around us at all times, but it is indeed also that which we are all part of - and looking deeply into it with the open eyes, mind, heart and soul of an artist, is sometimes all one needs to center the creative mind and to refocus on your art.

Cowardice and Hatred Sittin’ In A Tree

Hopefully, the mouth-breathing morons responsible for this low-brained reprehensible action will be brought to justice. It doesn't take a psychic to know that the men being sought probably consider themselves "real" Americans, are devoted to the likes of Rush Limbaugh and FOX news and identify as Tea Partiers (or worse).


AP Photo / Thomas Graning

The only bright side to that probability is that, generally, the Tea Drinkin' kinds who complain the most about the government usually do nothing about it. Many have never stepped foot into a voting booth let alone attended a public meeting or written a letter or made a call to their representative.

No, far from it. Instead, they opt to wallow in the fetid cesspool of ignorance barking their puerile and inane words to whatever like-minded nincompoop willing sit still enough to listen.

Predictably, these two didn't have the balls to carry out their hate drenched and deplorable action in the middle of the day. Rather, they opted to do so in the pre-dawn murkiness of a Sunday morning when, according to one maintenance worker who saw them from afar, they could  shout "racially charged rhetoric like "white power" and the N-word" while wearing their much treasured "camouflage attire." I bet they even made it back in time to gleefully attend some snake handling church revival meeting with their normally dim-witted eyes all alit with pride for their cowardly act.

I suppose, in Mississippi, stupid really is as stupid does. Let’s hope in this case, the authorities will find these two backwoods buffoons and show them that there are indeed not so stupid and very serious consequences for their actions.

Noose Found Around The Neck Of Statue Honoring Civil Rights Icon At Ole Miss

Moronic Dr. Smith Look Alike Really is Lost In Space (at least when it comes to the American Political Process)

Put down your candy hearts and Valentine’s Day cards for a minute and get a load of the original Bubble-Headed Booby himself (AKA Tom Perkins).

 
Tom Perkins in his best Dr. Smith from Lost In Space pose. Oh the pain! The pain!

Apparently, Perkins (a venture capitalist, who recently made a lot of people angry by comparing progressives to Nazis) told an audience in San Francisco Thursday that people who pay more money in taxes should get more votes.

The audience, making the understandable assumption that he was kidding, responded in laughter to his inane comment.

Imagine the awkward silence and shock that must have sucked the air out of the room when they realized that he wasn’t kidding – not in the least. In fact, he told a CNNMoney Reporter offstage that he “intended to be outrageous, and it was."

He didn’t mean outrageous as in ha ha hilarious. He meant it as worthy of causing outrage to those around him.

It’s wildly moronic, but it’s just the kind of crap-speak these clueless plutocrats love to utter at any opportunity that arises. The basic ploy - have mic will open mouth and spew forth garbage because even garbage will stick to the wall of those stupid or delusional enough to believe it. 

The one perk of Perkins? He has time against his side as he’s just south of being older-than-a-pile-of-dirt. Soon he and his fellow selfish, warped and woefully misguided lot will be tossed out with the rubble of forgotten history making no more of a mark on it then the dissipating smoke from the wick of an extinguished candle.

You can read the entire news article on the Huffington Post here…

Artist Tip Of The Day

Here's an Art Tip for the day: Artists, as a creative exercise, focus on making the visually mundane compelling at least once a day. Your mind will quickly become open to seeing the world in a new and spectacular way...

© 2014 Michael Sprouse
Photo by sprouseart

And The Horse You Rode In On: The Back Story of the F-Word…

Certainly several of you out there in FBville will find an occasion to utter the F-word today during an attempt to weather the weather or, at least, you'll encounter its sharp cornered, four-letter-damn-it-allness at some point during your day.

Perhaps it will occur when the mild-mannered town librarian flies feet first into the air after a trip fantastic over black ice. Or, maybe as you watch your neighbor's teenage son donut spin his I-like-to-pretend-to-be-an-adult SUV directly into your new mailbox.



Why not embrace the inevitability and ponder the f-word's fascinating history as you slug back your coffee before grabbing the shovel...

There’s a well-written article covering the history of our favorite four letter friend written by Kate Wiles on the delightful language blog “So Long As It’s Words”.

You can read the article here: http://solongasitswords.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/on-the-origin-of-fuck/

Christie Sinking Like a Leaky Boat...

Enjoy the spin down the drain Chris Christie; your electability argument for 2016 has vanished and your bully-based political career is sinking like a leaking boat. 

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/christie-polls-2016-bridge-scandal-hillary

Once Again – Art To The Rescue

Once again, leave it to a work of art (in this case an editorial cartoon created by the very talented Rob Rogers of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette) to make a most valid point about the asinine claim currently being made by the GOP which claims that Obamacare is a job killer.

In fact, Rogers does a good job on his blog of discussing the issues with these words, “The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report on Obamacare says the health law will have an effect on jobs. It does NOT say, as the GOP would have us believe, that it is a job killer. Instead, as this story in the Washington Post points out, Obamacare will allow those who are forced to work simply so they can afford health care to make other choices.”

Hats off to Rob Rogers, his keen eye, wit and talent.

August Sings Carmen Habanera

This was described as “the most fantastic thing you watch online today” and indeed it was. It’s August Schram starring in the video and actually doing the singing in a short film called August Sings Carmen “Habanera” and it’s worth every second away from whatever you were doing before…

Click on the image to view the video.

Enough. Winter. Already.

I’m not really the type of chap to bemoan the weather on any kind of grand scale. At least, no more so than then average Joe or Jane on the street sludging through the frozen rush hour commute.

But this morning, I feel the urge to sculpt a soap box out of snow, stand upon it an announce to the universe that I have had enough! Enough snow. Enough ice. Enough Arctic blasts. Enough sub-zero temperatures and enough Holy Freakin’ Hannah wind chills.

Perhaps one of the many Winter Gods or Goddesses (Ymir and Skadi from the Norse, Boreas and his wife Orithyia along with daughter Chione from the Greek, Cailleach from Ireland, Yuki-onna from Japan and good ol’ Jack Frost for starters) will put down their frozen daiquiris long enough to listen to my plea.

But I doubt it.

In the interim, feel free to enjoy this warm photo of the view taken from inside my studio to a freshly and particularly snowy and frigid morning…

 

Get ‘Em While They’re Hot…

During an errand run over the weekend to a local pharmacy, I couldn't help but notice the massive Valentine's Day greeting card and candy display.



I'm curious about these people who purchase Valentine Day cards in December. They must be an extremely punctual group of people.

All five of them...

The Best Holiday Animated Gif Ever

Somehow, the month of November slid past my blog radar like the Girl From Ipanema disinterestedly passing oglers on the beach. Alas.

But in the spirit of staying present moment aware, I'm going to jump back in as if I just returned from checking the mail box – preferably with a fistful of sparkly Christmas cards in my hand.

Just in case you've been living under a holly bush, the holidays are here! As a matter of fact, I'll be heading out the door later this morning to find the needed parts to create my own Boutonniere for a festive Christmas Party that I'll be attending later this evening.

My goal is to arrive at Michael’s Arts and Crafts early enough not have to stand in line with the speed-of-sloth moving parade of blue hairs and their BOGO glitter adorned faux silk poinsettias hand stitched in a Chinese sweat shop so that I can make the purchase of the roll of green floral tape (also from a Chinese sweat shop no doubt) a swift and painless ordeal.

In the spirit of all that is holiday fun, I now bring you my favorite holiday themed animated gif from what is, in my humble opinion, still - after lo these many years - the best holiday animated film of all time.

Enjoy in the present Zen moment of watching Charlie Brown and his best bud Linus contemplate existence while watching the snow quietly fall around them.



And Happy holidays to one and all!

New Work Alert! "Le Souvenir Soudain"

New Work Alert – I’ve been a busy man since setting up my studio that I had constructed just over a month ago. I’m happy to report that the very first work to be completed in my new studio is now ready for to public viewing and purchase.

In general, it seem that the very first of anything tends it make it more significant in some way. At least, it feels like that to me when it comes to artwork. There are two guaranteed works that will ever come out of a productive artist’s studio – the first and the last. Both of which hold unique meaning. This is the first, and as it can only happen once, it does indeed seem “special” in my book.

This acrylic and mixed-media on canvas work is entitled "Le Souvenir Soudain"


"Le Souvenir Soudain" ©2013 Michael Sprouse All Rights Reserved

It measures 24" x 36" and it's stretched on 1.5" Gallery Wrap stretchers allowing the painting to continue on all sides which gives it a 3D effect and makes framing optional.

This is currently available at the price of $2500 - which - if you're familiar with the market value of my work, is a very good price indeed.

First come first serve for those interested in adding

"Le Souvenir Soudain" to that spot on the wall crying out for something original, mysterious and compelling yet soulful and emotive. Email me at michael@sprouseart.com if interested in purchase.

For more examples of my work, please feel free to visit www.SprouseArt.com and please like my Facebook Professional page.

Cheers!

Don’t Miss! Davina And The Vagabonds

I’m not usually the kind of guy who goes agog over upcoming events, but when I discovered that I would be able to see the incomparable Davina and The Vagabonds live and in person on Friday, October 18th at Bethany Blues in Lewes, Delaware I became as giddy as kid with a sack full of Halloween candy – all rich, dark chocolate, deeply satisfying candy bars mind you…


Davina and The Vagabonds in Performance

A recent press release describes a performance of DATV as sounding “like a melding between New Orleans jazz and a bluesy Tom Waits - with a touch of Billie Holiday in the vocals of Davina Sowers - this powerhouse band consists of a highly energetic brass section, piano and upright bass. Vocalist Davina is one part vaudevillian entertainer and one part real-life singer-songwriter.”

Of course, anyone familiar with my visual art and my particularly strong affection for 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s jazz and blues would understand why I would gleefully shove children and elderly nuns out of my way to get tickets to this powerhouse Jazz performance. And frankly, you should be no less zealous.

I made the mistake of missing Davina and The Vagabonds the last time they made their way to Lewes, Delaware and quickly learned to regret it. I heard from more than one awed attendee that it was a “transformative” experience.  OK, that may be my word, but you get the picture…

Let’s just say that these folks had become DATV devotees like happy music inspired zombies grooving to unmistakable talent. “Unmistakable” – now that’s a strong word. It’s strong because there’s no turning back from it. And it’s a recognition that happens instantaneously and instinctively from the gut. The talent of Davina and The Vagabonds is unmistakable.

Here’s a video of DATV from a couple of years ago performing one of my favorite blues ballads “I’d Rather Go Blind” (made famous by the late, great Etta James)

So, as you can see, the Press Release was spot on. Rich, bluesy, vocals. Stand up bass. Kick-ass Brass. Beautiful…

If you plan on being in the area for the now famous Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, you should make a point of being at Bethany Blues in Lewes, Delaware on Friday, October 18th. Show times are 8:30pm and 10:30pm. Tickets are $25 and are valid for both shows.

This is all part of my dear friend (and nationally acclaimed jazz promoter and aficionada) Sydney Arzt and her Sydney's Music Revival and “The Melting Pot Of Sound” for Jazz Fest October 18-20 at Bethany Blues in Lewes.

To read more about this show and the other great artists ( The Patty Reese Band, Ron Holloway, The Joe Baione Quartet and The Reminders) that are part of the “Melting Pot of Sound” at Bethany Blues in Lewes, read the Press Release here. Oh, and if you see me there – and you will – make sure and say hello.

Putin, best served with a grain of salt…

In today’s New York Times, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has penned an article in an attempt to “speak directly to the American people and their political leaders” titled "What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria”.

While the article is well-worded and he does make what seem to be some valid points, there are two sentences in his article that I question. After reading them, my BS Alarm sounded loudly and clearly and my Inviso-Shield of distrust popped up serving as a call out for a deeper explanation in the meaning behind his statements.

I’m the first to say that I’ve been a bit our of the loop over the last seven days (to be exact) as I have been focusing on moving into a new home. I was without cable television or internet service for a good part of the time. The lapse in service wasn’t earth shattering as I was able to busy myself with unpacking, arranging, and dealing with a litany of contractors and last minute tweaks to the new abode.

Pre-occupied as I have been however, I was still able to follow with a modest degree of awareness the unfolding of the sticky events in connection to the potential American military strike in Syria.  I watched Obama’s speech and I have been able to follow quite a bit of commentary when streaming a variety of NPR affiliates.

Which brings me to question #1…

In his communiqué, Putin states that “there is every reason to believe” that chemical weapons were “used not by the Syrian Army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists.” 

This is the first I have read or heard of this possibility. Did this somehow fall of my radar while I was busy with my relocation or does Putin simply need a tin foil hat to go with his straight jacket? Or, perhaps it could also be a complete fabrication. In any case, in my humble opinion, it seems highly questionable.

My second question - which is really more of a rhetorical questioning of his words – is sparked by Putin’s last sentence in the article which reads, “We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.”

If he truly believes that we are all equal, why is he turning a completely blind eye to – or worse yet – enforcing and promoting the abuse of LGBT Russian citizens?

So, while I may admittedly be the potentially biased voice of a person whose early years occurred prior to the fall of the Iron Curtain, I ‘m just not certain if Putin’s words hold any deep truth in this situation.

And on that note, I’m back to my unpacking…

Empowerment baby…

On a day when a large portion of the American population seems to be woefully and misguidedly obsessed with the off-key yet auto-tuned warblings and twerking of a soon to be forgotten pop star on the talent/trash heap of fleeting fame, it should be pointed out that today marks the 93rd Anniversary of women finally receiving the right to vote after a long, hard-fought battle.



That makes today Women’s Equality Day – now that’s a good reason to dance.

Equality and Empowerment baby – that’s what it’s all about…

For your Inner Bugs Bunny...

Did bugs Bunny love carrots? Absolutely.

Are carrots truly good for your vision? Truth be told, no. But they did help Allies defeat the Nazis.

True story.

You can read more at the link below, but rest assured that your Inner Bugs Bunny will be happy about anything related to carrots.

You've Been Lied to About Carrots Your Whole Life Because of Nazis

Love Italy? Here’s 10 Good Reasons Why…

About 5 years ago, I was fortunate enough to have spent close to a month in Italy. I fell in love with enchanting country the minute I got in the cab and began the wild, hair-raising drive through the streets of Rome to my hotel.

Like a thrilling roller-coaster ride through a cloud of beauty and history, I was enthralled and mesmerized by each turn.


“Venice Canal” ©2007 Michael Sprouse

A close friend of mine sent me this video called “10 Things We Love About Italy”. I have to agree that each of the 10 featured items are indeed easy to fall in love with.

Enjoy, but just don’t watch this if you’re currently dieting because your head may explode…

10 Things We Love About Italy from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.


Visual Artist Michael Sprouse at the Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy circa 2007

Sensation-wise, an artist in Italy is the equivalent of a kid in a candy store. At least, that was my experience. There I am in a photo take moments after tossing coins in the Trevi Fountain. And you know what that means.

So, Yes. I do intend to go back.

The coins were just insurance…