The Rogue Speaks:
Several months ago, we received an invitation to a party at the home of a couple who are a little more than acquaintances, but not really friends. They are a nice, cheerful couple, and we have gone out to dinner with them a few times in the past.
I declined their invitation, even though I knew the food would be fabulous. The reason I declined is that they had a guest of honor--a fellow who is running for the U.S. Congress, against a person whom I helped vote into office last time around. He was expecting a donation for his war chest. I have a firm and fast rule about NOT discussing politics or religion with anyone who is not either an artist friend, or someone who views life the way I do, and I have an even firmer rule about giving money to people who don't need it to put food on their tables, or clothes on their backs. People seem to have become pretty vicious about politics these days, and I don't need that meanness in my life. It destroys my creative spirit, and makes me want to slap that meanness right out of those vicious folks.
I have found that when a certain brand of politician is voted into office, the muses suffer. Art and music programs are dropped from the schools, and grants for non-profit art organizations seem to just go up in smoke. Young people NEED the arts in their lives in order to become well-rounded adults. We had art and music classes in school when I was a kid, and I still remember just how interesting and fun they were. I cannot say that those classes made me normal by any stretch of the imagination, but I do feel that I am well-rounded, and not from eating pizza, either.
If you are not an artist, and you are reading this just because you are a friend, and if you have children or grandchildren in a school without an art program, don't despair! Your progeny can still reap the benefit of having art in their lives. On the right side of my blog is a spot labeled "links." Click on the link for Toscana Studio and Gallery, and you will find wonderful classes for not only children, but adults as well, and if you happen to live somewhere other than here, please check out your town's art galleries and museums. They just may offer classes, too.
Picasso once said, "Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life."
Our lives have become pretty dusty these days, and not only from greenhouse gas emissions, and oil spills, or fights over who can build what where, and which religions are excluded from our Constitutional amendments. All the dirt that the politicians are throwing around is polluting our souls, and making us sick at heart and unhappy with the state of affairs. Do something healthy for yourself--make art a part of your everyday life, and see just how much better you feel.
If you thought that this post was going to be about the mating rituals of artists and politicians, so sorry to disappoint you. I’m off to the polls—maybe I’ll see you there
16 comments:
That's true. I make it a point to just stay away from politics period. I also do not give money to campaigns. Why? There is NO ONE who believes EVERY SINGLE THING I do. All i can do on voting day is vote for the one who believes the same way I do on topics important to me.
Judie, I love the way you brought this topic back to art. And you are so correct in that it is one of the first classes eliminated in school budgetary cuts. It's appalling.
I am with you on being careful about those with whom I discuss politics. We attended a wedding this past weekend and at one point the subject was initiated, though not by us. We interjected a few thoughts, then quickly left the conversation. It was going to be divisive and that was not the proper venue.
Art is so much better. Have I told you that Rich's great grandfather was David Artz, whose paintings are now in The Hague? Thought you might find that interesting.
Elisa!!! You have surfaced!!! Email me and tell me where you are!
I also never give money to people who make more than I do.
Cher, I meant to ask you about the wedding. It seems that the opposition is so much more vicious than we are these days. I am in the minority here amongst my acquaintances that I don't take part in many of their conversations. I had rather associate myself with NICE people!!
Our education is in the toilet thanks to the constant cuts. Greed knows only corporates, not people. And thanks to the corporates, our middle class disappeared in a short few years. I believe we are in for a REAL sellout if we swing to the other side, which many are blindly following that trend right now. Can art really save us? Oh how I wish...
Sarah, no way am I swinging to the other side! I have my standards, and they do not include any more cuts to education. Children are our most important asset in this country, and if we don't give them the best education money can buy, then we will surely become a second rate country, filled with selfish money whores, and religious freaks who think that war is the curse of homosexuality, while at the same time, lining their pockets with "donations" they have received from the poor and the elderly.
Picasso said it all!
Picasso once said, "Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life."
It really does, you know. I'm off to take a BATH!
Wow! What a spirited post. In the UK, our education system pays lip-service to art and the arts in general. Kids are taught how to use paintbox on a computer and to look up artists on Google. Yet here in the UK we are swamped with galleries, our architecture is centuries years old. Why can't the kids be taken out of the classroom environment to view the art around them? Answer: cost. Much easier to sit them in front of a computer and say 'Look up Art Deco' - rather than to walk them a mile down the road to look at an Art Deco building.
Grrrr..
We used to go on field trips when I was in school. We went to the symphony every year for a special program by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and when it was over, the children could come up and look at the instruments.
We also went to Atlanta's High Museum of Art. I really am surprised to hear that with all that history right on your doorstep, UK students don't get more than "look it up on Google."
I agree with you, Juliana. That is just sooo sad!
Amen, Judie! My oldest daughter is a dancer. She was on the dance team at her local high school. Dance was bunched in with band, orchestra and chorus and anything else that wasn't athletics. ( Soapboxing for another day)
Those departments suffered so terribly. By the end of my daughter's high school years, they were patching holes in uniforms, asking for private donations to replace the worn out instruments and car pooling to competitions since their was no funding to take the school buses. Do you think the football team ever had to car pool or make do with inferior equipment?
I don't understand this mindset where arts are a last priority.
And I don't understand politicians who find them expendable.
There. I meant there. My biggest pet peeve.
Joann, where are you? Are you in Cabo yet? Or Northern CA?
Football over art and music has always been a total mystery to me. Should my kid break his limbs or should he enrich his mind? Hmmm--
It seems that the most helpless among us get ignored. Probably because they don't vote.
Their? There? I am doing that so much lately! And I have forgotten how to spell! I am constantly checking the dictionary. Scary!
Well hello ^_^!
Are all the paintings on the side yours? I mean the ones signed with JMcEwen? I looooove the watercolour paintings! So soft & delicate.
I agree with when you said that we have to do something healthy for ourselves...that's why I decided to end my studies (after a long & hard time of thinking it through). But Art makes me happy & I feel that I can do something for someone else, put a smile on someone's face. That's important to me. I studied long enough and it was starting to dragging me down. I think live is too short to live it according to what others expect from you.
Gosh! Don't remind me of spelling mistakes! I always have the urge to fix them too. Mainly because English isn't my first language and I want to leave a good impression *sigh*
Love your blog & will browse around a bit more!
Take care!
TJ
TJ, it's about time you showed up! Glad you like my stuff, and yes I am J McEwen.
I agree wholeheartedly with your view on living your own life. Sometimes it can be very stressful, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Missing out on the arts takes a large slice away from the enjoyment of life. I am sure this political junkie could use more art appreciation time.....the poor kids today(just one of my frequent almost audible thoughts)
You are exactly right. The political divisions of this country are polluting our souls, just as fast food is polluting our bodies.
I'm with you. I don't need to get into nasty, or even not nasty, political discussions during a night out. It makes for bad indigestion!
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