Oh You, Human Brothers

"Territories Series: Landscape #4",
2009, 4"x4", acrylic on wood panel


"Territories Series: Landscape #5",
2009, 4"x4", acrylic on wood panel

Today I painted and sent through mail two 4"x4" paintings to Spraygraphic, which organizes "Mini Mini Art Show", in Tempe, Arizona. I usually do not work pieces that small and I was interested to see how I could work on very small landscapes. I thought about the pieces for a few days. I knew I was going to use the photos I took at the beach last week-end. And today it was a pleasure to make them.

Art of Framing Gallery also notified me that my piece, "Piece of Her", for the "Idol Worship" show, was accepted. I really like the piece, I am thrilled that it will be part of the show.

Went to the park with the kids. Potluck day. I bought a pizza on my way, I had not time to cook anything. Felt bad about it, but the pizza was gone in no time. Still had blue paint on my hands. When I mix a lot of medium with the acrylic paint, it does not come off easily.

Tonight I went to the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, to the opening of the "Mosaic Arts International 2009 Exhibition". Irene de Wateville invited me. She is a tile painter and a ceramic sculptor, one of the three jurors of the show. I met her at the Dada Dinner (SDVAN) a few months ago. I was happy to see her.


"Wishing Tree", Ilana Shafir, Illinois,
ceramic tile and pottery, stone, smalti, pebbles.




A $12.000 piece was sold during the opening. I saw the buyer. It was very interesting to watch him so excited about the piece he just bought and talking about it.


"Pacific Beach Sunset", Thierry Chatelain,
48x24 inch, oil on canvas

I talked to Dennis Paul Batt. He told me that the painter Thierry Chatelain committed suicide seven months ago. I was stunned. I did not know. I knew Thierry through the Studio 234, a small gallery - now closed - in the 2400 Art Complex on Kettner Street. When Zapf Gallery (now closed too) and Scott White were still there, I used to go every month to Kettner Nights. I enjoyed talking to Thierry and Ruth Hoffman, the director.
Thierry was always nice, seemed always happy to talk about his last paintings, bright and colorful landscapes, delicately crafted. We were talking in French together. Last time I saw him he was very excited because a large gallery was about to represent him. Dennis told me it did not work. They did not keep him.

Thierry had chronic pain and I did not know, he was depressed too. He did not have a second job, he was living off the sales of his paintings. But he did not have a good health insurance, maybe not at all.
His name is in my contacts, like nothing happened.

I should pay more attention. See more. I should have seen something was wrong. I did not.



When I got outside the museum, hundreds of Friday bikers were riding together, singing, screaming joyfully, playfully. Happy to be there and to share the moment.

In the car, driving on highway 5 North, I listened to Muse, "Unintented".

I am thinking about my abstracted washed landscapes with people walking, and Thierry's detailed and colorful landscapes, with nobody in them.

When I got back home, there was "Hey Jude" playing on Pandora.

"And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.
For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder."

Just after: "Yellow" (Coldplay).

The house is quiet.
Enjoying what I have while I have it.
The kids are building a bridge for their Lego monsters with the kapla blocks.
Not wanting much.
"Are you still listening?" Pandora asks on the screen.
I'm still listening.
"Smile" (Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars).