In Praise of little-known Artists

10 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Art

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

André Gide, art, Beethoven, Compact Disc, Dunnock, fur-trade, Kristiana Pärn, Shopping, Steffan Johnson, Visual Arts

church near Borth y gest Beach Porthmadog

by Steffan Johnson

Wren

Hedge Sparrow

Steffan Johnson (click)

http://steffspainting.blogspot.com/

Beethoven: Rondo in C major C-Dur; ut majeur Op. 51. N. 1, Louis Lortie

please click on title to hear the music)

My last two blogs have featured artists I discovered through various searches on the internet: Kristiana Pärn and Steffan Johnson. I found Steffan Johnson in the “rising artists” section of Art.com, not Kristiana Pärn whose work I was familiar with. So I thought that before continuing writing the blog in progress, I would stop and praise these rising artists who cannot possibly be making a living from income generated by their art, except reproductions. But their art is affordable, and buying art is still one of the best investments one can make. However, buy something you like and can enjoy for years.

I will not speak at any length about our singers who are making millions and some billions, singing songs that are often the creation of a composer. I will let them enjoy their fortune, all the more since there are exceptions to every rule. I have applauded the success of Susan Boyle and was delighted to see Adele Adkins receive Grammy awards she deserved.

Many of us cannot afford to buy original artworks, however inexpensive they are. Life is extremely expensive. However most of us we can afford to download a song and even buy a CD.

But how will artists make money? Buying reproductions may help or purchasing one of a limited number of prints is also a fine way of supplying artists with the money to buy the material they need. As well, having a good manager can be helpful, but hiring a professional is expensive. So, by and large, the situation of these people is a “porte étroite,” André Gide‘s “narrow door,” or Strait is the Gate (1909).

Many books have also become too expensive. I was looking for a very recent book on the fur trade and the voyageurs and also wanted to purchase a collection of old chansons, but I realized that I simply could not afford what was not even luxurious. I am a scholar, a musician and an artist, but was led to retire prematurely. That story may be told in a forthcoming blog. I am writing a novel in which my main character has faced similar difficulties. I just can’t find an appropriate conclusion.

But for the time being, I am featuring a little-known artist in a blog. It may not help him, but it will help me.

Musing on the state of women…

08 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Planned Parenthood, United States

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Aldo Ciccolini, Birth control, crippling view of sexual intercourse, Georgetown University, Kristiana Pärn, Lysistrata, Responsible Freedom, Rush Limbaugh, the Republican Party, Twitter

Follow Your Heart: Swinging Quietly

Kristiana Pärn

12 Variations sur ‘La belle Françoise’ en Mi Bémol Majeur, K.353 (Aldo Ciccolini)

(please click on the title to hear the music)

Sometimes I forget that my readers do not necessarily know about events taking place in the United States. I must therefore provide some information regarding my article entitled: A Response to Mr Limbaugh: Abstinence for All posted on the 6 February 2012.

Background information

This article, featuring Aristophanes’s Lysistrata as an example, was about the disrespectful comments made by a self-appointed Republican party radio host: Mr Rush Limbaugh. Mr Limbaugh has since lost sponsors, but that does not go all the way. Members of the Republican party should ask that Mr Limbaugh never again be allowed to speak of their behalf. Moreover, his radio program should be taken off the air.

Miss Sandra Fluke, a third-year law student at Georgetown University, was addressing the subject of birth control and its cost. Mr Limbaugh, a self-appointed spokesperson for the Republican Party, called her a “slut” and a “prostitute.”

He also suggested that to protect herself from an unwanted pregnancy she should simply put an aspirin between her knees which prompted me to suggest that he and the likes of him should also refrain from any sexual activity when a pregnancy is to be avoided. Abstinence for all!

We are free and wish to remain free. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a former Canadian Prime Minister stated that, “there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” However, all of us should make responsible use of the freedom we enjoy, including Mr Limbaugh. It is not my business to enter into his private life, but it is quite acceptable for me to remind him that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

President Obama phoned Miss Fluke to express compassion and, in fact, apologized on behalf of the United States of America. As for Mr Limbaugh, he will lose more sponsors because of his abusive statements.

Comments

Mr Limbaugh expressed a very degrading view of women and sexual intercourse. It would be my opinion to he considers sex a sinful act, which is most objectionable because, among other things, many women have yet to accept their sexuality.

Far too many women have been raised to view sex as “dirty,” and, as a result, are not able to consider sexual intercourse as “clean” after they “marry.” How can a short ceremony turn sex from dirty to clean? Mr Limbaugh is therefore perpetuating a crippling view of human sexuality.

It seems that the campaign will circumvent such matters as education, job creation, the availability of affordable housing, equalized taxation and putting into place social programs that will protect every American and will include health-care for women.

Fighting Obama

About ten days ago, I left a “tweet” on Twitter to encourage Mr Obama. Within minutes, I was deluged with “tweets” denigrating the President. I quickly erased my tweet and the tweets I had received, so I could breathe again. However, looking back, I remember that in some of these offensive “tweets” President Obama was accused of moral laxity.

Fortunately, there are millions of fine Americans many of whom are Republicans and some of whom are my readers. I respect my readers. They know that prominent Republicans are now leaving the party to avoid being associated with persons like Mr Limbaugh.

Good news, I am now receiving comments.

—ooo—

This blog was written yesterday, 7 March 2012. However, I did not post it because I was nursing a migraine and had taken a tablet of sumatriptan. However, it’s not too late to publish it. Today is International Woman’s Day.