Once Upon a Time

Fragment III 

Neo-Platonic decrees

we communicate with

the Divine through Love.

In the eye of Venus

the breath of sea breezes

dances on my skin and

the delicate sounds of

waves caressing the shore,

fills my ears.

I kneel and pay homage

to this angelic face,

immersed in the spirit of Love.

            17 August 1994

             Upon seeing Botticelli’s Birth of Venus 

Once upon a time I sat writing in my journal, a poetry of sorts, while hiding from the Florentine sun on the patio of the Hotel Rivoli.  It was a magical time.

Nothing Better than Painting with Fellow Artists

Saturday, my friend and portrait artist, Jackie Pellow invited me to paint with her at her studio in the West Bottoms of Kansas City.   Jackie has a great space and tons of room.  It has wonderful light and equipped with just about everything a body could want.

We had an incredible time, Jackie working on oil paintings of Venice, while I worked with pastels on my Forbidden Fruit series.   When we broke for lunch we met up with two other Kansas City artists Cid Gillispie and Christy Steinberg at the Genessee Royal Bistro across the street from the Livestock Exchange Building.

Excellent food and Bacon Bloody Mary’s highlighted by stimulating conversation.   Then back to the studios for more work. Jackie is working on a magnificent painting of artist and mentor, Philomene Bennett.  It was a  great way to spend a Saturday. 

From left to right Christy, Cid, Elaine and Jackie.