The Good Ole Days

I know, I'm too young to be longing gazing back at days gone by. At least I think I am too young. But as the artwork shows there is one thing that modern man can no longer create with skill. The mighty eraser.

Today's erasers smear, smudge, gob, stain, they pretty much do anything but erase. Don't even think about that cute pencil with the panda bears on it. That green eraser on the end, it's just waiting to ruin your paper with a swath of green that won't come off no matter what you do. Working on a crossword puzzle, BEWARE! Today's erasers will not only smear your page so the clue number is unreadable but it will instantly tear through the tender newsprint.

Am I the only one who has noted this crisis in eraserdom? Are we without erasers because of rain forest damage or did someone in Eraser World find a cheaper (lousy) way to make them?
Now it's true, I have many perfect, purchased separately erasers for sketching. But what ever happened to that happy little partner on the end of your pencil. Standing at attention ready for service when ever the pencil turned.

Sigh....the good ole days. Thank heavens my computer has a delete key.

Goodbye Old Friend

Beezil Little River April 1997-June 2010

How do you paint with a broken heart.

I just returned from a trip to the states. I was in a few airports I haven't frequented often. And as always there was art to soak up and enjoy. Now, I don't mean to brag but Anchorage has jaw dropping cool art. Have you seen the Canada geese flying over head as you head to your departure gate? There isn't much that beats that nature scene but I did come across a few pieces that made me dig my camera out.

You may have seen this style before. Interesting, this was resin, not real wood. I am guessing a mold was made to create this sculpture. This horse was big, well past my head. It was awesome to see something made to duplicate earth in a space where NOTHING is organic. Well, except our over pressurized, exhausted bodies.

I am not a big fan of junk art. But when it is done well it always impresses me. I loved this figure, the artist even managed to give it personality. Truly an accomplishment when the face is a guitar neck. I always wonder how you would know where to start on a project like this. Was there several different faces, legs and hands until all the junk came together perfectly? Well, regardless, bravo!

The sad part of this story? For a moment picture yourself walking through an airport. As you look at people coming toward you what do you see? The tops of their heads. I watched and counted as dozens of people walked right by with their eyes buried in their cell phones. How many hours of sleep did these artists anguish and worry over this work. How many attempts, discarded sketches were involved in creating their art. Next time your in an airport please look up, look around and enjoy a mini art fix.