Category: Art

Muse in the Morning

State of the Onion XXVI

Art Link Fool’s Gold Living on Lies Such small minds in fear they cower preferring deceit over truths which they cannot fully comprehend My God how their souls must be shrivelled stained by false bravado unmistakably obvious as they pollute our mutual reality –Robyn Elaine Serven –March 28, 2006

This is the painting, that is Stan’s converted bus and then there is my mess in the foreground.  At this point the painting was about 2/3rds done.  A few others had worked on it as well.  In the comments I’ll post a picture of the Happy Winner.  Click on the image to see it full size.  There will be some better photos coming from some friends shortly.  But at least now you get to see a bit of my style.

Normally I work on a flat surface so it was a challenge working on the vertical surface again.  I used natural charcoal, acrylic paint and iridescent inks.  The canvas is lightweight, I prefer linen but linen is very expensive.  

I learned:

1. to bring a stool to hold my pallet so there isn’t as much bending over involved.

2. bring some acrylic extender to increase the workability of the paints.

3. set up in the shade next time.

4. letting go of ownership can be a wonderful thing.

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XXV

America the Ugly Brotherhood Skin Tones They lack a sense of brotherhood toward so many kinds of people for union members for whom it has special meaning for immigrants of any kind legality be damned for those whose roots weren’t cultivated in the appropriate loam kinship even denied with their own children if they happen to be queer no empathy felt for those whose skin tones haven’t been created recently enough by lounging in the sun nor sympathy for people whose cupboards are too bare from one day to the next If you don’t believe what they believe then to hell with you America Amerika There is no crown for there is too little good to place one upon –Robyn Elaine Serven –April 14, 2006 America, America After o so many years America America For you we weep our tears –Robyn Elaine Serven

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XXIV

After an easy drive out to Sterling I had a little difficulty finding the venue, but like most things that are hard to find it was worth the search.  The “gate” consisted of two large trees on either side of the road with some friendly faces there to greet you.  Eric, the Arts Director came out and introduced himself, gave me some background on the venue, musicians and layout of the property.

I was lead to my spot, right in the middle of Vendor Row, quickly unpacked my things and set up my tent.  Stan, my neighbor in a big white converted bus, was the first to say hello, he gave me a tour of his bus and introduced me around to his travel companions.  Stan sells rocks, crystals and anything terrestrial and was going to head to Herkimer to get some more Herkimer Diamonds right after the show.

I exited the bus and was asked if I’d be willing to paint a sign for the Family Village area, a small hollow that sits away from the rest of the venue where things are quieter.  I said sure and was handed a beautiful piece of wood that had been reserved for just this purpose. I broke out my paints and started in on it. People walking by asked what I was doing and who I was and it was a good way to meet new people.

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XXIII

America the Ugly Fruited Plains Food? At the edge of forests healthy for everything but animals or trees lie the fruited plains blistered with toxins alchemically nurtured in a liquid roughly water strange brew what’s inside of you America Amerika Groves of blemished trees bearing produce invisibly bruised dripping venomous juices like Snow White’s apple We are fashioned into laboratory mice to ascertain how much poison we can consume and remain vaguely human while we are forced to pay exorbitant fees for what passes as our health –Robyn Elaine Serven –March 29, 2006

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XXII

America the Ugly Purple Mountains Gold in Them Thar Hills Purple mountains or any color once majestic now leveled rock crushed for oil or hollowed out emptied of coal except where it burns or blown apart in the search for fancy stones America Amerika The weapon that destroys the mass is fueled by the lives of men too poor badly educated and so ill-treated lubricated by the greased palms of partisan self-interest and naked incivility of so-called servants and dangerously driven by the avarice of men too rich –Robyn Elaine Serven –March 24, 2006

… is, evidently, impossible.

So this is either dangling copper fingers in the stream, to catch the drift, or randomly reframing to see what it sparks.

Broken Line

Solid Line, moving

Solid Line

Solid Line, moving

Solid Line, moving

Broken Line

Man, I love symmetric ones … lessee what that adds up to. With this many moving lines, I am just going to put up the before and after hexagrams.

	28. Too Much. Too much. The roof-beam is sagging. It is beneficial to have a goal to move to. Progressing. Something is too much for this situation. One better make a plan to do something about it, and make it more robust. There is progress.
moving to
	15. Humble. Humbleness. Progressing. The noble one brings things to a conlusion. Humbleness helps progress and bringing things to a good end. By not being humble, one might overestimate oneself and be satisfied too soon, not making the effort to actually finish the job.

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XXI

Muse in the Morning

It’s a great song.   But times have changed…

State of the Onion XX

Muse in the Morning

State of the Onion XIX

Art Link Landscape of the Mind The Candy-colored Clown In my dreams the eagle transforms into the dove of peace every soul is sparked by precious pieces of Martin and Coretta their essence permeates the landscape of my mind fairness prevails people are kind nice caring helpful human warmth flows toward everyone through everything replenishing the fabric of this mortal coil There’s always fair weather where justice reigns the justice that Martin saw from the mountain top Then I awake let out a gasp and cry out in despair –Robyn Elaine Serven –February 17, 2006

I could not stop before publishing this one.  Some of you have made your disdain for me quite plain.  If you were trying to harm me with your words, you accomplished your goal.

pf8 thinks I can still be an effective communicator even after the damage that some of you did to whatever respect and credibility I may have earned.  I’m extremely doubtful.

Consider this an attempt to help foster unity and aid the healing.  At least that is my intention.

Be excellent to one another, for their sake.

Hello all you Music and Art fans, just wanted to let you know that I’ve been accepted as one of the visual artists at this year’s String Fling in Sterling, NY. (StringFling on MySpace) I’ll be creating two or three large canvases while the music happens, at the end of the event the pieces will be given away to people in the audience.

What’s a String Fling?  3 Days of Music, Art, Camping and Drum Camp!  The gates open this Thursday at noon, day passes are available for Friday and Saturday too, so if you are in the area stop on by, support local musicians and make some new friends.

An Artist is not an Artist if s/he is not creating.  The time away from the canvas was needed and now I feel like there is something ready to emerge.  I’ll try to get some photos of the pieces in various stages for those who might be interested in seeing them.  For now it is back to packing and sorting through Art supplies.

On the homefront:

I stopped by the local farmer’s house today, the one that will be haying my fields.  Him and his son had just finished up 50 acres and looked like they could go do another 50 before lunch.  Hard workers, nice people, good neighbors.

The yard has been mowed and trimmed, a new small access path is in place so I don’t have to disturb the horses in order to access the back acreage, strawberries are done for the season, apples are getting bigger, Jasper got loose yesterday but came home exhausted and smelling like the swamp and a few dead animals he must have encountered a few hours later.  A quick bath took care of that…thankfully.

Happy Birthday America.