Madonna and Child in a Two Hour Parking Zone

"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web."

Pablo Picasso

Street painting was first recorded in Italy in the 16th Century.  Created by  " madonnari," (so named because  icons of the Madonna  were a common  subject of their work)  itinerant artists,  many who had been brought to the cities to work on the cathedrals  and later needed to find another way to make a living when  the work for the church was done.  The madonnari's materials were tiles, coal and chalk.  Their canvas was the pavement  in front of the cathedral. The madonnari's goal was to inspire pilgrims to throw a few coins their way .  The art form spread throughout Europe--In England such artists are called screevers and in Germany strassenmaler.

Recently  Fredericksburg hosted its second annual Via Colori Festival  which brings together  artists, aspiring artists, a  dabbler in the arts or two,  and a few  souls searching for that artistic spark within themselves, to  put chalk to pavement  as did the madonnari of old......without the whole livelihood stress thing.

For me this event is not so much about the art but rather the process that creates it.  One can marvel at the technique, the beauty, and confidence of  years of experience and talent .  To  appreciate the struggle to create.  And to see  potential  and recognize the desire  in someone's first efforts.    My interest in this event is not to see what is created but rather how it is created. ....

Street Art of A New Century

A 16th century modannari would probably not understand the street art of today.  For the most part  religious themes no longer predominate. The role of art in his time, which was used to inspire, teach, and tell stories (and yes make a few coins on the side), has also changed.  What he would recognize is the desire to create.

So It Begins.......................

From such mundane things as a tape measure, cardboard, chalk, tape, paper towels, a paint can (?), and what I suspect to be a bag of munchies, the creative process begins. Don't know how the whole barefoot thing plays into this process but then I am not an artist.

Art Immitating Nature......With A Little Help From Nature

 "Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies."

Aristotle

I must take issue with the esteemed Aristotle on this one. There is no question that the vibrant colors of this piece capture and enhance the spirit of the fall season which we now find ourselves here in Virginia. However, I would say that Mother Nature's small contribution to the bottom left corner of the piece adds immeasurably to the overall effect.

Experience Art--Up Close and Personal

"Every artist was first an amateur."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well you have got to start somewhere so why not by rolling in it and getting a better feel of the piece. My guess is we are not looking at a budding artist but rather a budding art critic. Or it could be just as simple as an attention getter which at this age is the most probable.

Creation...........

"In wisdom you made them all, the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small... When you send your Spirit, they are created and you renew the earth."

Psalms 104:25,30

Art allows us the opportunity to free ourselves from the bondage of reality and allow us to imagine the unimaginable. We can see ourselves as creators if only on canvas, marble, bronze......or asphalt.

A Moment in the Creative Process

It looks as if the artist is sitting on the ottoman sharing a moment with her creation. What is she thinking about--color, shading? Or is her mind at a different time and place?

All Journeys Begin With a Step

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

Vincent Van Gogh

There are those that are inspired by the efforts of others to create and say to themselves,--"I too can create." Many would see this as nothing more that some childish scribbles. What it actually may be is the beginning of a journey and we were blessed to be present to witness the first step. 

The End of the Journey?

From the first random scribbles to inspiring beauty.  To create such a picture from chalk on a cracked piece of asphalt is a marvel to behold.   But is it fair to say that anyone reaches a point where they can no longer  learn, or dream something new, or create even greater beauty?

The Transforming Power of Art

Take a little imagination, vibrant colors, and a little patience and you can take what most people would consider a rather mundane street scene and turn it into a work of art. When looking at this I also wonder about the story behind the picture. What was the inspiration, or maybe memory, that created this scene?  Another plus in my book.

We End At The Beginning.............

Like the madonnari of old--Madonna and Child. I actually took a class in Iconography in college. If I am not mistaken (and I'm not because I checked) this is a rendition of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. It is said that it was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. While painting the picture, Mary was to have told him about the life of Jesus and he later incorporated it into his gospel.

Madonna and Child in a Two Hour Parking Zone

"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web."
Pablo Picasso

Street painting was first recorded in Italy in the 16th Century.  Created by  " madonnari," (so named because  icons of the Madonna  were a common  subject of their work)  itinerant artists,  many who had been brought to the cities to work on the cathedrals  and later needed to find another way to make a living when  the work for the church was done.  The madonnari's materials were tiles, coal and chalk.  Their canvas was the pavement  in front of the cathedral. The madonnari's goal was to inspire pilgrims to throw a few coins their way .  The art form spread throughout Europe--In England such artists are called screevers and in Germany strassenmaler.

Recently  Fredericksburg hosted its second annual Via Colori Festival  which brings together  artists, aspiring artists, a  dabbler in the arts or two,  and a few  souls searching for that artistic spark within themselves, to  put chalk to pavement  as did the madonnari of old......without the whole livelihood stress thing.

For me this event is not so much about the art but rather the process that creates it.  One can marvel at the technique, the beauty, and confidence of  years of experience and talent .  To  appreciate the struggle to create.  And to see  potential  and recognize the desire  in someone's first efforts.    My interest in this event is not to see what is created but rather how it is created. ....

Street Art of A New Century
A 16th century modannari would probably not understand the street art of today.  For the most part  religious themes no longer predominate. The role of art in his time, which was used to inspire, teach, and tell stories (and yes make a few coins on the side), has also changed.  What he would recognize is the desire to create.   

So It Begins.......................

From such mundane things as a tape measure, cardboard, chalk, tape, paper towels, a paint can (?), and what I suspect to be a bag of munchies, the creative process begins. Don't know how the whole barefoot thing plays into this process but then I am not an artist.

Art Immitating Nature......With A Little Help From Nature
"Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies."
Aristotle
I must take issue with the esteemed Aristotle on this one. There is no question that the vibrant colors of this piece capture and enhance the spirit of the fall season which we now find ourselves here in Virginia. However, I would say that Mother Nature's small contribution to the bottom left corner of the piece adds immeasurably to the overall effect.

Experience Art--Up Close and Personal

"Every artist was first an amateur."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well you have got to start somewhere so why not by rolling in it and getting a better feel of the piece. My guess is we are not looking at a budding artist but rather a budding art critic. Or it could be just as simple as an attention getter which at this age is the most probable. 

Creation...........

"In wisdom you made them all, the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small... When you send your Spirit, they are created and you renew the earth."

Psalms 104:25,30

Art allows us the opportunity to free ourselves from the bondage of reality and allow us to imagine the unimaginable. We can see ourselves as creators if only on canvas, marble, bronze......or asphalt. 

A Moment in the Creative Process
It looks as if the artist is sitting on the ottoman sharing a moment with her creation. What is she thinking about--color, shading? Or is her mind at a different time and place?

All Journeys Begin With a Step

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

Vincent Van Gogh

There are those that are inspired by the efforts of others to create and say to themselves,--"I too can create." Many would see this as nothing more that some childish scribbles. What it actually may be is the beginning of a journey and we were blessed to be present to witness the first step. 

The End of the Journey?
From the first random scribbles to inspiring beauty.  To create such a picture from chalk on a cracked piece of asphalt is a marvel to behold.   But is it fair to say that anyone reaches a point where they can no longer  learn, or dream something new, or create even greater beauty?

The Transforming Power of Art
Take a little imagination, vibrant colors, and a little patience and you can take what most people would consider a rather mundane street scene and turn it into a work of art. When looking at this I also wonder about the story behind the picture. What was the inspiration, or maybe memory, that created this scene?  Another plus in my book.

We End At The Beginning.............
Like the madonnari of old--Madonna and Child. I actually took a class in Iconography in college. If I am not mistaken (and I'm not because I checked) this is a rendition of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. It is said that it was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. While painting the picture, Mary was to have told him about the life of Jesus and he later incorporated it into his gospel.

Ruminations From the Road Less Traveled

The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.

Henry Miller

While composition, lighting, and  color can draw one's attention to a photograph;  it is the story inside the photograph that holds it.  We enjoy photographs of a beautiful  sunrise, the colors of a fall day, the majesty of a mountain range; but  with nothing else to hold our interest we move on. But if the photo makes us think-- make us stop to glimpse back down the road we have traveled, present  new perspective,  remind us  of our humanity --then it truly becomes memorable.  So let us  take a few moments to look past the picture and see the story,  a different  perspective,  maybe a bit of humor, as we continue down the road less traveled..............................

Our Forgotten Past
King George, VA--Overgrown, unseen and forgotten. For most this is how we see our past. Yet there are stories here of a time and of the people who lived in it. Stories of their trials and triumphs; their mistakes and the lessons learned. Unfortunately, most believe that we have evolved beyond anything the past can teach us. What they fail to realize is that while technology, knowledge, and our quality of life has greatly improved our human frailties remain the same.
    

There is Always an Exception to the Rule
OK, not a lot of hidden meaning here. Heavily photo shopped--cropped, colored, contrasted, highlighted, sharpened, and dry brushed. Just liked the shot so sue me.........But wait.... now that I think (see above) about it I see that I have created art from art (note sign in window) from a mundane reality.   Boy that is deep and full of...................

"Street Numbers? Street Numbers? We Don't Need No Stikin Street Numbers....."
Coles Point, VA-- Who needs numbers when a name on a sign tacked to a tree will do. As folksy and quaint as this may look  it doesn't help your insurance adjuster (that be me) who has to drive around for about half an hour trying to locate you and not being able to reach you by phone for directions because you're outside enjoying the breeze coming off the river.

Epicenter--Puts Mineral on the Map
Mineral, VA--Being at the epicenter of an earthquake felt from Florida to Canada is one way to get noticed. On August 23rd at 1:51:04pm a 5.8 magnitude earthquake gave Mineral it's, "15 minutes of fame." Visiting the area a fews days later it looked like  the  town's new found fame had not gone to anyones' head.

Downtown Mineral. All the brinck buildings to the right sustained some damage requiring a lane closure. You can see workers on the white building to the right foreground.........

A bad day for chimney's. Here Mother Nature scored a Hat Trick taking out three chimney's on the same house.........

The top of the brick facade of this downtown building came down and other sections pulled away. This business will be closed for a while but..........................

.....adversity can and is overcome. The sign on the supports holding up the front wall of Main Street Plumbing announces, "Open for Business."

Yes We Can Learn from the Past..............
Rt. 20, Orange, VA--Russia, 1787, Grigory Potemkin, one of Catherine the Great's ministers, is alleged to have build fake villages along the Dnieper River to impress the Empress with the value of the newly conquered lands. Taking a lesson from this endeavor of the past the town of Orange has constructed their own, "Potemkin Village" (and I must say it has the village look) to mask and old junk yard on the way into town. The question to be asked is when the site is developed in the future will it look as nice as it does now?

You Know When Your Really in the Country When.........
Lost in Louisa County--Dogs in the country are more than just pets they are members of the family. A show of hands please....How many think a dog house built like the family mansion with a TV antena is going a bit too far?  Then again it could be a very small "man cave." Gives a whole new meaning to being in the doghouse. Have to say the pig weather vane on the water faucet is a nice touch.

A Perplexing Question?
Westmoreland County--So old cars and or trucks sitting in the front yard, some on blocks, is considered a good indicator that there are rednecks about.  So what does a bunch of old tractors in the front yard, with one on blocks, mean? I went on three search sites with: old tractors + front yard + on blocks + meaning, and got nowhere. Not even a Wikipedia entry! Could this be the question that stumps the internet?

A Different Perspective.............
Rt. 17, Caroline County--To most this is one of those idyllic country road scenes (Cue John Denver now). But let's take a closer look......at the deer crossing sign.  Note the bullet damage.....While I  had high apptitude scores in the areas of math and science during my scholastic career neither topic ever held much interest for me.  Hard to work either topic into a conversation at a cocktail party. So I will defer to all those who embrace the sciences (and therefore are not very interesting to talk to at cocktail parties) and ask whether or not a deer is smart enough to take the hint that this may not be the best place to cross the road? 

The End of the Road--A Previous Tantrum by Mother Nature
Falmouth, VA--This is the end of the old Rt. 1.   Beyond the trees is the Rappahannock River and at one time this road spanned the river. On the other side one would have seen fields in front of them as Rt. 1 went off to the left and continued through the heart of downtown Fredericksburg. Here is what the bridge looked like in its heyday in the 1930's.......

.........Then on April 26, 1937 the Rappahannock,  flowing 39.1 feet above its normal level, washed out a section of the bridge.........

It was repaired but because Rt. 1 was the only major north/south road on the east coast it was decided to build a stronger and higher bridge over the Rappahannock which was opened in 1943 and is still in use today. 

Thanks to former Mayor Bill Beck for allowing me access to his extensive Fredericksburg postcard collection.

Not Much of A Picture...........
We have all run across a picture like this one while going through family albums.  Looking at such an ordinary scene most would make a cursory effort to identify the individual then put it aside and search for the more interesting  scenes. For others looking at this photo they wonder why such a seemingly ordinary photo was taken? What is the story behind the picture?

Only a few moments before my  youngest, Joshua, shook my hand, gave his mother a final hug goodbye and  turned to walk back to his new home on the campus of James Madison University.  It marked the end of the beginning.

My role as a parent is coming to an end. At this moment  the realization comes that my relationship with my son  has forever changed.  I will no longer scold or become angry with him. I can only be disappointed.  I will no longer be happy for him. I will be proud of him. For he now controls his destiny and I am  a bystander.  Offering support and advise when asked but the final decisions will rests with him.

And as my son walked away I also have to admit being a bit envious. I remembered a similar moment in my life.  The feeling of apprehension and exhilaration as one steps off to create a life of their own.  

......listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

Winnie the Pooh

WE shall take the sage advice of that great  philosopher of life Winnie the Pooh and not clutter or minds with thoughts of things to do, or try to place meaning on things, or endeavor to make a point.  Today, with a little help from W.B Yeats we shall just enjoy the moment.  Some random shots of my recent travels...........

I WENT out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,

I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire a-flame,

But something rustled on the floor,

And someone called me by my name:

It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair

Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,

I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;

And walk among long dappled grass,

And pluck till time and times are done

The silver apples of the moon,

The golden apples of the sun.

Practice What You Preach.......

"Matt, I agree with your concern about the courts issue. And admire your dogged efforts to shine the light of day on council’s sneaky actions. But, seriously man you need to get a life. You are blogging here and elsewhere on this issue 24/7 – don’t you have a stamp collection that needs attention or something?"

Gramps

Comment on Free Lance Star Blog

May 16, 2011 1:37pm

"Hey, Rube!" carnival workers used to holler when they needed reinforcements in a melee with townspeople. Mr. Kelly has hollered it for all he's worth for months, but the Bearded Lady and the Indian Rubber Man have not rallied."

Free Lance Star Editorial

May 20, 2011

Some people need gentle reminders to step back, take a deep breath, and take a look around. In fact, one of the reasons for this blog is to make that exact point.  As the quotes above suggest I need to practice what I preach. Got a little too focused and lost perspective. Whether intentional or not both Gramps and the Free Lance-Star Editorial Board brought this lesson home with the proverbial baseball bat to the side to the head.  Life is too short to waste . There are new discoveries to be made,  moments to experiences, people to meet, and relationships to nurture. So let's get back on the road........................

A Parental Moment..........

The last time my eldest son appeared on this site he was behind a 50 cal. on a humvee in Iraq.  On Mother's Day weekend he received his degree in Criminal Justice from Methodist University. His older sister, single mother of three, received two degrees in Biochemistry from Minnesota Sate  the following weekend.  And finally our youngest Josh will be leaving for James Madison University in August where he plans to major in music.....If you can call heavy metal music.  Three months away from an empty nest and the moment when my wife and I look at each other and say, "What now?"

May My Garmin Burn In Hell!

Madison Co. VA--My Garmin said, "turn right here," so I did.  It is not unusual in rural Virginia to find yourself on gravel or dirt roads. But in this case I'd have to say without exaggeration that this road ranks in the top 100 of The World's Most Dangerous Roads. Actually considered sending in a suggestion for them to film a segment on this piece of Johnson Road. Is that a smirk I see? Hey, quit with the rolling of the eyes!

I'm driving a 2010 Ford Fusion which does not have big road clearance. Actually the worst section of the road starts after the next rise. But because I had a death grip on the steering wheel as I drove through small lakes and clay morasses while also trying to avoid foot deep ruts as my wheels spun and the steering wheel kept trying to jerk me to the left or right, I didn't think much for reaching over to get my camera. The "high point" of this adventure came as I glanced back up from my (expletive deleted) Garmin which was telling me I still had another 1.5 miles to go and I saw a tree had fallen across the road. Then I had a fun time backing up about 100 yards to a point where I could turn around.

I made it back to where I had started. Got out of the car, Waited about five minutes to get some circulation back in my hands and then took the picture. I later discovered that if I had continued on Rt. 522  I would have still reached my destination while only having to drive another mile!

HORNY COWS, HER WORDS NOT MINE

Orange Co.-- I had arrived to inspect damage to a barn roof.  I was told by the matronly insured that the damage was on the pasture side of the barn and I needed to watch out for the "horny cows."  While most of my experience with bovines usual involved a bottle of A-1 steak sauce  this was not my first encounter with cows.  However it was to be my first experience with "horny cows." (Start humming the theme to "Jaws" here) As I crossed under the fence I noticed  that 1) these were in fact horny cows and 2) they all seemed to be staring at me. Then as I took a few steps forward to try and get a look at the barn roof the "horny cows" took a few steps towards me.  As I took a step the horny cows took a step and in about five more steps we were going to be up close and personal.  I began to get this feeling that I would be really pressing my luck if I turner my back on a bunch of "horny cows" (Again her words not mine). So I decided to walk backwards, back under the fence, and took my photos from inside the barn. Sorry boss.