Subscribe to blog via Feed Burner
|
Here is the text from my speech today at the annual Arts Council of the Conejo Valley board installation…
———-
The Arts – That is what we are a council of. The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley. We are “The VOICE of the Arts”. All forms of “the arts”. The Arts has a very important place in developing, defining and supporting culture — OUR culture. The cultural values each of us hold may be slightly or extremely different from each other, but they are profoundly important to each of us. Each of our stories are unique. We each see things differently… we EXPERIENCE things differently — and that is OK.
 An artist friend, Johanna Spinks, recently posted a new painting on her Facebook profile. It’s a wonderfully delicate painting of a young boy, around the age of 4 or 5. He is gazing upwards with a look of AWE in his eyes — his mouth is slightly open. She has titled it “WONDERMENT” and I responded… “Wonderment is right. Makes me wonder myself about what he is wondering about. A puppy? Chocolate cake? a new BB gun? He has bright eyes for sure…” She replied back “Rich, I leave the wondering “decision” up to you…” NICE! — well, I’m still wondering.
 So, we all have decisions to make every moment. Decisions about WHAT we see and how to respond to it. Every person that looks at a flower or face … friend or foe … or looks at a painting, or watches a dramatic theater production, listens to a string orchestra, walks around a beautifully sculpted garden or experiences or creates any other form of artwork, makes decisions about their responses.
I have sometimes challenged others to pause for a short moment in their daily grind, and take notice of something that they do not normally see. Perhaps to look at a small “flower” that is among the weeds… Maybe a lone leaf that falls from a winter Aspen tree, maybe the way a mother lovingly holds the hand of her 2 year-old running beside her at the mall. Creativity is to discover what you would not otherwise see.
I remember something that happened to me at the mall a long time ago. I even wrote about it on my personal blog… It was about a day that I received a gift from somewhere beyond me. The gift was a heightened sense of awareness. I was eager to experience it before it faded away — Like an enhanced sense of touch; it seemed to bring everything closer. I sat on a bench and watched a mother walking by holding an infant and could feel the thick love that the child had for her mother. I walked into a kid’s toy store and went through the too-small-for-grown-ups door like I was Alice chasing the rabbit into Wonderland. The simplest of toys brought such amusement to me, it was like being 5 years old again, filled with wonderment. In this short wrinkle of time, the folds of the universe had come closer for me to observe. I departed the toy store and continued my journey of sights and sound that rippled with life unaware.
All around the Conejo Valley, there are these ripples of life that touch every corner. You all are part of what is making these ripples in our community… and sometimes, even waves. We continue being the “Voice of the Arts”, so our emerging leaders – our poets, prophets, painters and performers – have their own “Aha!” moments of wonderment. With our example, leadership and support, they are the change our community and our world needs.
Peace,
Rich Brimer
ACCV President
Well, I finally finished a small project that I have been wanting to do for a long while. Back around 1980 Dad bought a couple of beach cruisers and brought them home. I am not exactly sure why, but there they were and they were so cool to have around. When I went to college in 1984, I took one to school with me to ride around campus. It got ripped when I left it “locked” up in the choir room for the weekend while I was out on tour with 40 others. MANY years went by and the other one that was left with my parents began to deteriorate while being stored on the side of the many houses they lived in ever since. The wheels got all rotted out and rust began to do its work on the chrome. There it sat…for years… just waiting to be cleaned up.
Forward to the end of 2009. After Dad had passed, I went to Mom’s house to help clean out the garage and get rid of a bunch of “crap”. At the end of the day, a full construction sized dumpster was full to the brim. However, the old Schwinn ended up in the back of my truck. I brought it home to sit on the side of MY house for another 9 months. Not that I needed another “project” but I did need to resurrect this bike, as it represented to me some physical connection to Dad. It was one of the only significant items that I have that he ever gave us. His love was broad and deep. He was generous to everyone that knew him. I have some coins, as many people do… a few small items that I have gotten from him over the years, even a small very used old pocket knife that was left in his jeans on the morning of his passing… but this bike – I felt compelled to restore it and to enjoy it with my family in his memory. So, here’s to you Pop.
I changed out the old wheels and tires for these awesome white walls. The rear wheel is fitted with a Shimano 3-speed gear box. I replaced the missing seat with a new cruiser seat I got from Mr. Candish. The paint is 3 coats from a single can of Rust-o-leum Metalflake Blue. Water decals supplied by Ebay seller bicyclebones, and over the top of everything, Cal Customs in Camarillo shot a dense coat of clear to seal the deal. Everything is original, including the rust-orange chain, but I think that will have to go soon.
The other day my son and I changed the shocks on the bus. I drove to the coast for a test drive and a cigar. OMG… what a difference! She corners soooo much better. As I was passing the strawberry and cabbage fields in Camarillo I was thinking… It makes me happy to live 10 minutes away from the ocean 
I have a few trips planned this summer. The first is mid-June to camp out at San Onofre and paint in the “Paint San Clemente” festival for a week. Then the first week of July, to Huntington Lake in the High sierra’s. Camping on the lakeside with a friend and our three boys. He has a sail boat so we’ll do some sailing and fishing. Of course I’ll be painting too.
 So, I had a very nice week to paint in and around San Luis Obispo with a few artists from the California Art Club. The weather was nice, but scattered showers caused the fair weather artists to stay indoors. I did a total of 5 plein air studies and a still life. I stayed with Mom for the week. When I called her a few weeks ago to see if she was going to be around during this week, she asked me if I could come up there because she had a one week vacation scheduled. Perfect timing. I love it when that happens… synchronicity. So, I got some painting in, did some chores around the house for her, and visited with family. All in all, it was a very wonderfully relaxing week for me. I pushed off a lot of business until this coming week, so I will be working full-bore to catch up, but it was def worth it.
 So, what I got here now, is the still life I did for my sister. She has been asking to paint her a “flower painting” for many years. Well, I don’t do flowers, but her birthday is next week, and outdoor painting was rainy, so… I did this for her. I added a cup and saucer that was painted by great-grandma Dee around 1900. Click HERE for a large close-up of the tea cup.
 I think I might be on to something new for me. Still life paintings from heirlooms. I brought home some trinkets from around Mom’s house that I will be painting in the weeks and months ahead. I have not done many still lifes. This intrigues me. So, since I did a lot of duck hunting with my Dad growing up, I have some things that will do nicely as a memento to this; A set of duck calls, shot gun shells, his favorite hunting hat which still has some tail feathers from a drake mallard, and a wooden duck decoy. I also from my mom, I have an old candy dish from her grandmother, a small metal metal bank in the shape of an elephant and some old marbles. Then there is an old deep-sea fishing reel, some old fishing lures and a fillet knife. Some great raw-material for summer studies in the studio.
Here is a repost of a painting called “The other side” that. I started it in 2004. It took until 2007 to get it all finished up. I only have this video, but it is pretty nice to see it up close. If you have a current version of QuickTime on your computer (and you are NOT using Firefox on a PC) you can press the link below and watch it. This 24″ x 48″ oil painting is the biblical scene when Peter comes to shore after fishing all night long with nothing to show for his efforts. When he gets close to shore, a man standing on the shore tells him to give it another try, but on the far side of the boat. Peter is tired and has been at this all night long, but gives in and does what he knows will not yield anything. He is surprised to see that he was wrong about it and then recognizes that it is his friend Jesus that has told him this.
Some days, we just do what you are trained to do. Sometimes we are told to do differently. Against their better judgment, Peter did do what Jesus asked of him, but I am sure that they had a discussion beforehand that went something like “Well, we are the fishermen here, but if we need to toss our net over the edge of the boat again to get you to shut your mouth…” and with a “ugggh” and a toss, the net was in the water. What would YOU have done? When do you feel that God is asking you to go or do something against your better judgment?
This painting shows the provision of the provider when we think we have nothing to gain in giving it an extra go… even when Spirit compels us to keep going. Press on! I was commissioned to create this painting to show that sometimes the provision of God is just below the surface and also that he always knows where it will come from before we are nudged to act upon his Call. Peter had done everything right – all night long – and he was tired form doing the right thing with NO result. Jesus came to them to say “Keep it up”. Sometimes it seems absurd to do what you think is the “right thing”, but I have found that to keep pressing in is often the thing that is needed… that which needs to be done in order to get to the tipping point, to cause the equilibrium to go your way, to cause status quo to be not good enough. Life is hard work if we want to accomplish much or even SEE much in this world. It is always easier to “go with the flow” and just sit on a raft and float to the end of the river. I am never satisfied with this for very long. Rest and solitude is good and important for us, but real LIFE is hard work… and rewarding.
I was invited to paint during another Sunday morning service today at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Ventura, CA. Today’s theme was “Why the Bible” and the simple answer is because it provides a map to the road we are all on. So, I thought if the time I was in Assisi last year and this wonderful countryside road that lead from the hilltop city into where the fields. This is the same valley floor that San Francesco gathered his co-laborers to serve the poor and dejected, the lepers and homeless. It is there that the Franciscan order was developed and continues today.
So, here is the painting “Road from Assisi” that was created in about 70 minutes during the service today. Click the image to view it larger.
 Road From Assisi - 48" x 48" Acrylic on Birch Panel Click the image below for a short time-lapse view of the painting in progress.
Yesterday I sent off the four completed diptychs in my “Face of Love” series. The went with John Alderson and his son Bryce to BIOLA University for an exhibit that will last the entire semester. It will be in the foyer of one of the buildings on campus. I will post photos of the display when I get them in. It seems a bit strange to send off my paintings and not be there to hang them. I fully trust John’s judgment, but still odd not to be there. ;.)
Below is the current stage of the paintings. I have not displayed the “I was Thirsty” paints ever before, and (don’t tell anyone…) there is still a bit of work to be done on it. I want to fuss a bit with the faces still, but I need a break to do some other work, so I shipped them off as is for the time being. Click on an image to view larger.
 I was thirsty - You gave me drink" 36" x 72" Oil on canvas  I was sick - You visited me 36" x 72" Oil on canvas  I was sick - You visited me 36" x 72" Oil on canvas  I was naked - You clothed me 36" x 72" Oil on canvas
 Ray of Hope - 48" x 48" Acrylic on Birch Panel A few months ago I was asked to consider painting during a Sunday Morning church service. In fact, there was an opportunity to paint during more than one. Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Ventura is doing a summer series of outdoor services, so it is much more casual. The series asks a series of questions starting with “Why…?” Today was “Why Jesus?” Next week, it will be “Why the Bible?” and so on.
On the left is a 48″ square painting I did during the 70 minute service. I will work out the hands a bit more this week and return it on Sunday. They will use it in a raffle during their annual Lemon Festival in order to help raise funds for my film project Without Shelter.
 Rich in Zermatt with Matterhorn. cir. 1986 Each of us have probably seen a National Geographic expedition to the top of a snow capped mountain. I once had my own travels to the Matterhorn in Switzerland. At its base, it stands a mere 10,695 feet while at the peak, it stands 14,691 feet. By no means is it insignificant. The majesty and lure draws skiers and mountain climbers from around the world. I spent an awe-inspiring day skiing around the alpine slopes that surround Matterhorn. I was not prepared for the beauty, but I also was not prepared for the struggle I would endure to get down the mountaintop… alone with one other skier at the end of the day… to ski across the face of a glacier (the one over my right shoulder in the picture…). All I can say, is it was worth the effort. I could have stayed in the lodge, but at the end of the day, we set off on the gondola for one final run… a run from the top. The top of the ridge is also the border between France and Switzerland. Had I the time, I might have skied in two countries that day, but it was time to finish what we set off to do. And off we went.
There times in our life that we need to stop watching the action on television, and go on an adventure of our own. You can never start until you take the first step. You never know what will happen until you get back. I leave you with the following to ponder, as you dream about going on your next adventure.
In 1951, W. H. Murray wrote the following in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition:
When I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money — booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets”:
Indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting o’er lost days.
Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute;
What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, from Faust in 1835
On the morning of June 18th I got the morning call that nobody is ready for. “They just took Dad to the Hospital. He has no B.P. and they don’t know what’s wrong. It is really bad. PRAY!” 20 minuted later, my brother, also a paramedic, who was there with him called and said that they just called code blue and were doing CPR on Dad. “Get here as soon as you can.” I was in the car going 90 MPH up the 101 freeway to the central coast with Lucy in the seat next to me. As I passed in Goleta, I got the call… “He’s Dead” <sigh> <tears!> <sobbing!!> They had done what they could to keep blood flowing… they were being Dad’s heart for him, but alas, his aorta had already ripped apart and his blood had nearly all been pumped into his abdomen. His BP was 0/0 and his heart rate was around 250 BPM. Try as it might, the heart just had nothing left to pump and gave up. My sister said that as he was carried away by the paramedics from the house, he told her and her two daughters that he loved them. Then as they entered the doorway, bumping him around, he just said “Ah, horse feathers”. His famous last words.
Life can change in a moment. We find that the “important” things are not that important, and those things that can be so little in our lives are actually the most important events because they are life giving, and life changing. I have spent the past month wondering and wandering. Trying to steady myself for these next steps. I do not know what they will be, but I take them one step at a time. The Psalms remind us that “Thy Word is a lamp unto our feet” and it is not a search beam that shows us much more than a couple of steps ahead. We do not really know what lies ahead. We can only be ready to hear the call of God and to do what he asks when He does. Prepare yes, but be ready for change. Be ready to alter your own plan and see what God is doing in your midst. I am glad that at least I have a lamp at my feet. Peace.
|
A quote I would love to live like a river flows
Carried by the surprise of its own unfolding
~ John O’Donohue
|
So, we all have decisions to make every moment. Decisions about WHAT we see and how to respond to it. Every person that looks at a flower or face … friend or foe … or looks at a painting, or watches a dramatic theater production, listens to a string orchestra, walks around a beautifully sculpted garden or experiences or creates any other form of artwork, makes decisions about their responses.
Recent Comments