Just Imagine!

Just around the corner,

There's a rainbow in the sky.

So let's have another cup of coffee,

Let's have another piece of pie! *

I drove through a double rainbow and it seemed a divine and magical omen.  Certainly, it never fails to put a smile on my face, and optimistic feelings abound.  To see any segment of a rainbow seems always a wonder special to behold.  It is free for all.  It travels the world without prejudice, available to thousands of people who bother to look up into the sky.  To experience the rainbow from our urban streetscape may not seem very inspiring, but for artists, ideas can spring from the poorest of materials.

"Rainbow"

Alberto Bora

plastic bags

photo courtesy of Librado Romero/The New York Times

How many of us would take the idea of a rainbow and use the lowly plastic bag to describe the spectrum of color in a three-dimensional sculpture?  This is the value of an artist: to imagine and then create.  You could say, "Well, I could do that...anyone could do that!"  But you or they didn't!  And thankfully Alberto Bora did turn his idea into reality.  I am happy that the plastic bags were able to live another life beyond the landfill.  But then sadly, I think of how many times our plastic bags could encircle the world, outliving us all.  Alberto Boro demonstrates that the medium of plastic bags can be more evocative than the simple coloring of of a grade school child.

note:  In New York City, El Museo del Barrio is hosting its bi-annual show entitled The (S) Files 2011.  It is a show composed of 75 Latino, Caribbean and Latin American artists, taking the theme of the street as their subject, hence the (S).   


* Depression era ditty

April Showers Bring More Flowers

Thunder, lightening, and a heavy spring downpour was the day's natural entertainment spectacle. As soon as the rain cleared and the drizzle seemed really over, I hitched up Chewy for his later afternoon-early evening walk. Lost in thought, I had my eyes cast to the ground. Lifting them and seeing a spectacular rainbow seemed a symbol of optimism that all could share.

The rainbow has never failed to put a smile on my face. I feel like a child, as if it is the first one I have ever seen. When I looked to the right, and realized it was a "double rainbow", with another outer colored band (which doesn't show in the photo), the day seemed suddenly auspicious.

I turned the corner briefly, and when I looked back, it was gone. My timing had been fortuitous for the rainbow viewing. With stormy clouds dissipating, a patch of blue sky peeked through. It reminded me of one of my recent finds in the alley: a small, flat chunk of concrete painted sky blue. I pocketed it as a "patch of blue sky". What magic, to have a piece of the sky in my possession! Now I have the power to see the sky anytime that I want!

I have plans of using that "patch of blue sky" concept in a painting. I'm hoping that the rainbow visual can be interpreted soon, as well. All in all, the season has seen a riot of colorful flowers, each one presenting themself in a precise procession of a perfect spring. Thank you, spring showers, for making this all possible!

Emerald Aisles

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! This is the most kelly green in nature that I think we're going to see at this time of year in the midwest. My neighbor doesn't have to mow his northern exposure front lawn because it is all moss! Most unusual to see...In my morning meanderings, I am sending you an Irish blessing to start off your day:

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.

May songbirds serenade you every step of the way.

May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.

May happiness fill your heart each day, your whole life through.

ERIN GO BRAGH!