A Canadian Artist, Hollis Baptiste, once told me, ‘When our
parents die, it makes you want to be a better person.’
You can view the works of Hollis Baptiste on http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/p/piece/.
My advice to men who are fatherless has always been to adopt a father,
a man who perhaps always wanted to have a child, but for whatever reason did not. There is also Big Brother.
The Circle of Family - Ink on Mulberry - 2013
Here is an excerpt from Pinball Clemens' bio on Wikipedia:
'Clemons also became the first black head coach to
appear in a Grey Cup game
in 2004 CFL season and would go on to be the first black head coach to win a
Grey Cup championship during
that same Grey Cup game, while also being the second ever to have guided
his team to a pro-football championship in North America. (Darren Arbet of the San Jose SaberCats
was the first to do so in 2002 with an ArenaBowl XVI victory.)
After accomplishing this, Clemons downplayed the milestone achievement.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know what it means to the first Black
coach in the (Grey) Cup and to win it. I know that I can't do anything by
myself, and on my own strength I'm very little good. Anything I accomplish has
to be with the aid of individuals, and this team became like a family and is a family, it had very little to do
with the colour of my skin".'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Clemons
Now, here’s a funny story. Many moons ago, a pal of mine
from high school moved to Calgary. He didn’t know anyone in the city. His
mother had just died. That's when we got back in touch. I had a huge crush on this man. But, alas. It didn't work out.
This, old pal, B was also a very great friend of mine. He reminded me of one of my patrons, also a B. I sent them a link to a performance in Calgary starring Ms Brueggergosman.
I suggested that they go
together. They were both in the legal profession. One started his own law firm, the other was in law school. Both men were straight.
I never did ask if they met up and I have yet to see her in concert.
The founding partner at the law firm, who shall remain B, was
quite grateful for that. They reminded me of each other. I thought if the corporate
lawyer had a son, he would have grown up to be a man just like my high school pal whom I heard is
now missing, which breaks my heart.
I gave that client a copy of this image. I noticed years ago
that young, intelligent men were finding it difficult to learn at a university
level. The last time I saw the subject of this work of art. He was a bartender downtown. A strong, intelligent resourceful man with musical talent. I'm surprised he didn't end up studying law.
My Friend Wants To Be A Lawyer - 11" x 14" - 2002
Education is expensive and a challenge, but very rewarding
upon graduation. Even if you graduate into a recession as I have twice.
Bastardo!
Have a look at https://www.coursera.org/ for free online university level courses.
This network was designed by a man who believes that education should
be accessible to all regardless of income level or class. It's a great
way to see if you are ready for university.
The
mandate of coursera is: 'We believe in connecting people to a great
education so that anyone around the world can learn without limits.'
And here's an interesting lecture by Ken Robinson via Ted Talks in which he speaks about education in relationship to the arts. Ted Talks is a free online service with several inspiring and interesting lectures on a multitude of subjects.
He mentions Picasso who said, 'All children are born artists. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.'
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fatherless men and to all the
men who are Dads.
Consider shopping in the culturally diverse Kensington Market area
for cheese, organic meats, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Pick up a little
sundress or a unique silk screened tee shirt. Buy a gorgeous pair of $10
sunglasses or a hat for under $20. But don't spend it all.... participate in this fundraiser.
At 6pm, when many businesses are closing and you've
had your fill of doubles, oxtail and assorted baked goods you say hello to
Julian and I at Model Citizen. http://modelcitizento.tumblr.com/
Bid on silent auction items and purchase from a
selection of paintings by me, Simone Frank to raise funds for her invitation to
exhibit in China.
Model Citizen carries designs from Canadian
artists. It houses a collection of unique clothing, accessories and to top it
off, he teaches silk screening courses as well. You can find out more when you
visit the store located at 279 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada.
The paintings for sale are from the following
exhibitions:
There Is Always A Way Silent Auction
279 Augusta Avenue,
Kensington Market
Toronto, ON
6 - 9 pm
Thursday May 30, 2013
When
Julian at Model Citizen in Kensington Market learned that I was
fundraising so that I could participate in the 2013 Contemporary Art
Exhibition in China, he offered the use of his store as a venue in which
to fundraise. How kind is that?
Consider shopping in the
culturally diverse Kensington Market area for cheese, organic meats,
fruits, vegetables and nuts. Pick up a little sundress or a unique silk
screened tee shirt. Buy a gorgeous pair of $10 sunglasses or a hat for
under $20. But don't spend it all.... participate in this fundraiser.
At 6pm, when many businesses are closing and you've had your fill of
doubles, oxtail and assorted baked goods you say hello to Julian and I
at Model Citizen. http://modelcitizento.tumblr.com/
Bid on silent auction items and purchase from a selection of paintings
by me, Simone Frank to raise funds for her invitation to exhibit in
China.
There Is Always A Way Silent Auction
Model
Citizen carries designs from Canadian artists. It houses a collection of
unique clothing, accessories and to top it off, he teaches silk
screening courses as well. You can find out more when you visit the
store located at 279 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada.
The paintings for sale are from the following exhibitions:
"So far, there is no law against dreaming." Winnie Mandella
On my travels along College Street West yesterday, I was
able to drop into some great stores.
One store that is new to me is called,
Playful Grounds. This dining establishment is
kid friendly, provides workshops for gardening and yoga, for example and best
of all has free Jazz on Fridays. When I asked the lovely owner, if I could put
up a poster promotion the upcoming fundraisers:
If there is a work of art that you have seen online and would
like me to bring to the silent auction, please let me know and I will bring it to
Kensington Market.
The lovely owner of Playful Grounds kindly offered the use
of her establishment as a venue in which to throw an event. Woo hoo! Best of
all, I found out that she throws a free event on Friday’s where there is live
with jazz artists performing.
I suggest you check it out!
Look forward to a weekend event during June or
July at Playful Grounds on College near Grace.
As promised, I have scheduled a couple of great events
downtown in Spadina and Kensington Market area.
Look forward to dining at one of my favourite restaurants,
Xam Yu. It is located on Spadina just North of Dundas. The food is superb. The
service is amazing. The staff is pleasant and patient.
Jimmy, the manager of Xam Yu, (whom I will probably buy a
house from some day), kindly agreed to support my efforts to exhibit my works
of art in China.
You can RSVP by clicking the link below and also leave a comment about Model Citizen's silk screening courses. Julian has a great work area set up in the back of his store where he teaches people to silk screen. Consider registering for a class.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/390986
Sales from this event will support me in my efforts to
exhibit my works of art in China. If I'm unable to do so, the monies will go to other projects. The exhibition in China is being curated by Shanghai Yude Exhibition Company Ltd. It is not too late for me to participate, although I missed a television interview.
There is still time for me to ship my work to China and to
possibly travel there. The exhibition ends on July 10th, 2013. I
missed a television interview, but expect to be able to make up for lost time.
There is always a way.
Purchase works of art that some of my clients asked me to exhibit in
Toronto:
I was laughing out loud while performing another edit of, No More Kissing Frogs. At
one point, I was worried that the book was a bit too risque to be published under my
name. But if it can’t be published under my name in 2013, then things are worse than I thought.
No More Kissing Frogs, is the story of a Black woman
in Toronto who decides to date online after a long courtship that failed with
an Italian diplomat. She meets various kinds of men but never falls in love and
blames her failed relationships of the men she encounters, the advice she gets
and a world she doesn’t understand. She never blames herself. Bitter would be
an understatement. She has completely lost hope in romantic love. It is funny
and poignant and clever.
I spent yesterday working on the screensaver to give
as a token of thanks for investing in my art career via Indiegogo. The screensaver is
almost complete. I showed it to a pal on Monday, and we both agreed that it
might be a slight health risk due to the dynamic motion graphics. Sadly, my rusty
old computer does not support, Screentime, the required software needed to complete it. Another delay due to technology in the technological age is a sad thing. Sorry about that folks! Soon come.
I’m considering boring myself to tears in an office job
again instead of fundraising. I even wrote a long piece about artists who make that choice. If WARC happily accepts my submission, you’ll be able to view the installation called, Get Up, around the idea of – depression and the need for inspiration and perseverance. The piece was inspired by a visit with my Dad, conversations with pals and relatives. It was also inspired by working alongside Laurence Fishbourne on a tv set, who is now on the cover of Cigar Aficionado.
I have not given up on my dream of traveling to China to exhibit my
art. I missed the television interview. Boo hoo. And still need to raise funds
to ship the work and to prepare all the necessary legal documents required. Hopefully, I can meet the team along the way. The exhibit runs until July 10th, 2013.
You can help get me there by sharing, liking, posting and making a donation via the
link below.
Many people have asked me how the exhibition came to be. Honestly, I was aiming for Spain, New York, Italy, Japan, London or Iceland. I
received an email from Shanghai Yude Exhibition Company inviting me to exhibit
as a result of my website. They simply liked my work and asked me
to participate in their 2013 Contemporary Art Exhibition. I was honoured and
accepted not realizing how much work that entails.
CARFAC is an excellent
organization for artists to join when faced with proposals that are beyond
their knowledge base. There is also The Artists Network. CARFAC provided me with wonderful resources to help me orient
myself in the world of International Art.
Okay, I’ll tell the story that made me run to confession, just in
case word got out to my deceased Mom’s priest friends or the Catholic Women's league that I had sinned and become violent after her passing.
Black Madonna for Mom
I was out for a drink with my pal, R. We simply wanted to
have a glass wine and catch up on a lovely Spring weeknight. There was this
yahoo at the bar who found pleasure in verbally and physically abusing the
patrons.
Before I knew it, he was telling me how gorgeous I was. He
loved my curves. It was a wonder I was single. Men must love me. And then he began to get vulgar. (The unedited version will be
available once my book is published). I got up and walked away. To be honest, I
walked away from him a few times. His friends pulled him away from me a couple
times.
Then he punched Rs boyfriend in the face and was cut off at the
bar, but was allowed to stay. In my day, we sent the misbehaved ones home.
Now, the yahoo, had a very attractive friend who asked me
out to dinner. I was charmed and pleased. I accepted and then saw that Rs
boyfriend and the yahoo were coming close to blows.
I ran in between them. I grew up in the burbs and hung out
with a bunch of guys. I knew better than to let one man who was alone in a bar, fight a guy who was in
a bar with five friends. So I ran in between them and joked around.
Now, I thought that I moved out of the way, but R told me
later that I pushed him and he fell over on to a couple of bar stools. Then I remembered the look on his face and me standing there thinking, 'I don't know if I can take this guy, but there is no way I'm going to stand there and let a man hit me.'
For whatever reason, the entire population of men in the bar
began fight. Furniture fell over, drinks were spilled. People lefts. People
were fighting who had nothing to do with any of it.
Where was I? Off to the side yelling for them to stop.
The yahoo, when he finally got up off the floor from being
pummeled, started throwing glasses at Rs boyfriend and I. R called the police. The yahoo was put in a
headlock and dragged out of the bar by the Saturday night DJ who later said that something just came over him.
I wish I had not become violent. I could have made other choices, like leaving the bar.
I called the show, ‘Self Defense,’ because painting that
series, was my way of healing and regrouping after the incident. My form of therapy. I asked a lot of people what they did to quell their
rage – how they worked out their anger.
One pal, had a punching bag in her
house. You’d never know it see her – elegant as she is. Another pal did Tai Chi. Qi Gong, was used
by another. I had a friend who swam. Some people run. Some destroy things they
love. I tried fencing once and liked that. But this, this worked for me. Painting
seems to usually work for me. This series told the story and made me feel
strong in a non-aggressive way. I am honoured that they chose it for the
exhibition.
Now, the sad thing is, that attractive man never did call me to go out to dinner. Sad. But I didn't blame myself. I blamed the Adjustment Bureau.
'We actually tried free will before. After taking you from hunting and gathering to the height of the Roman Empire, we stepped back to see how you'd do on your own.
"You gave us the dark ages for five centuries, until finally we decided we should come back in. The chairman thought that maybe we just needed to do a better job of teaching you how to ride a bike before taking the training wheels off again, so we gave you, The Renaissance, The Enlightenment, The Scientific Revolution. For six hundred years, we taught you to control your impulses with reason. Then in 1910, we stepped back.
"Within fifty years, we brought us WWI, the Depression, Fascism, the Holocaust and capped it all off by bringing the entire planet to the brink of destruction in the Cuban missile crisis. At that point, a decision was taken to step back in again before you did something that even we couldn't fis.
"You don't have free will, David. You have the appearance of free will."
I took a long walk through the
city last week in order to run some errands. My doctor advised me to walk 45 minutes a day. I was mainly in search of a 60”
and 34” pine stretchers so that I could stretch, ‘Go Jimi,’ currently on display at
Mojo Music. Photo to come.
Toose Art Supplies is a great, calm place across
the street from University of Toronto on College Street West just East of Spadina.
Sadly Toose Art Supplies was low on pine stretchers but they are currently
having a 50% off sale on canvas.
Call him at: (416) 597-1919. He also sells custom pine stretchers
that are made to order.
I joked with the owner that I
should have opened an art supply store. (My plan years ago, was to open one that sold environmentally friendly art supplies). I mentioned that
I regretted not having done so. He extended his hand and offered to give me the keys to his store. He
told me that he would sell it to me for less than $500,000 and would consultant for a few years after it’s sale. Nice guy. I offered
to write him a cheque on the spot for 73 cents, the balance in my bank account
at the time. We laughed.(I know. I know. I shouldn't focus on money. Love is the answer.)
Daniels’s Art Supply sells the best paintbrushes
in the city! Be prepared to pay for them, though. For example, my favourite ¼” natural
fibre paint brush retailed at $30 ten years ago and it is still the best brush
that I own. I paid that much knowing the bristles would never fall out, and the
handle would always feel great in my hand. The natural fibres also absorb paint
evenly.
Simone Frank + Peter Sanagan
Peter at Sanagans’s Meat Locker was kind enough to support me in
my efforts to travel to China for the art exhibition to participate in the 2013
Contemporary Art Exhibition by Shanghai Yude Exhibition Company. He didn't hesitate for an instant. Super nice guy who sells great meat for the carnivores out there, of which I am a proud member. Better to choose the organic, grain fed meats if including meat in your diet. The staff at Sanagan's can tell you more. Click here if you support me too!
I told Peter that the best
turkey I ever prepared was purchased from his meat locker. I promised to return
to buy some organic, free run chicken, and I will.
This photograph was taken
by a former Squirly’swaiter, I spent many a day and
night there during the 90s, drinking coffee or red wine, eating some great food,
reading the paper and writing poetry. That Lady, a Fine Art grad, had a career in activism and politics. She now works in
PR.
Simone Frank + Anthony Richards
Thanks to the lovely ladies from
Ingersoll, Ontario, who were kind enough to take this photo while shopping at Tribal.
Find Tribalon the West side of Kensington Avenue
just South of Baldwin.
73 Kensington Avenue, Toronto.
647 210 7015 | 647 627 6484 | 647 391 7015
Anthony, the owner, and possibly
the most charming salesperson you will ever meet, has even recited poetry to me.
One day we sat and played jimbe’s together. He knows the history and origin of
everything in his store. He sells artwork created by local artists including
OCADU students. He will offer you a sample of his line of organic, handmade
beauty products to massage into your hands as you browse through the store. He
boasts about the benefits of shea butter and has a way of knowing which product
in his line will meet your needs.
I thanked him for always making
me laugh and smile when I visit his store. As soon as I walk in, he cheers me
up. I gave him a coffee print as I thank you. I told him that I wouldn’t hit
him up for sponsorship… yet...
Here’s hoping he remembers me
when his store is booming with customers as it should be. I get many
compliments when wearing his fragrances, especially the coacoa.
Now, they did a study years ago. The results were: Canadian men went mad over Vanilla fragrances in a lustful and sensual way, of course. My pal J told me that in Sweden, the same study found that Cinnamon was the fragrance of choice. In my own research, men with soul go nuts over Coconut. Guys and gals, let me know what you have found.
Tribal is a great place
to shop for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Two body butters retail for $25.
Monsieur Rasta Pasta at 214 Augusta Avenue
Anthony told M, the owner ofRastaPasta that I was going to blog about Tribal. Rasta Pasta has great prices, kind and courteous customer service, a sparkling, clean kitchen... of course I'll blog about Rasta Pasta.
Generous portions too! Melt in your mouth meet. Yum. And great branding.
When you shop at Rasta Pasta,
pick up one of the coupons below from the counter for a great deal on your second meal.
Somehow I managed to leave with two. I'll have to play one forward.
Please tell the owner, M, that I said
hello when you visit.
Now, to find Rasta Pasta, you have to
walk through the Latin restaurant just North of Zimmerman’s. (That's on Augusta just North of
Baldwin). Zimmerman's sells everything from inexpensive
undies to chick peas. I once went in there and asked the owner where his underwear was located. He yelled to the salesperson in the middle of the huge store, "Show her the see-through ones! Show her the see-through ones!"
I laughed. It's never boring in Kensington Market.
Model Citizen, is owned by an old pal of mine, Julian. He offered
me his support in my fundraising campaign. Thanks, Julian! Click here to support me too! Model Citizen is
filled with designs by Canadian designers. Check him out if you are in the
hood.
My last stop was the candy store
at Baldwin and Augusta. O, tells me that they may have to move. The owner is
either 'going to', 'wants to' or 'has' sold the building. I suggested that he move to
Forest Hill so that I don’t have to travel so far to buy my turbinado sugar. He insists that the
rent in Forest Hill is too expensive. I told him that all things are
negotiable.
Things in Toronto continue to
grow and change but some things stay the same. I was able to catch up with
Uncle T. We sat and had a cappuccino together and talked about travel plans,
work and pals. Another fabulous old pal o mine. Please say a prayer for my new
pal Ian who is under the weather. Uncle T tells me that they will be exhibiting
work in his honour tonight from 6:30ish to 10:00pm ish at Propeller Gallery,to cheer Ian up. A fabulous way
to revive a blue artist. Propeller is an
excellent artist run centre to join. Call to verify this. Propellar Gallery is open Wednesday-
Saturday: 12- 6pm and Sunday: 12- 5pm.Tel: 416.504.7142
I am still going to China. The
timing might be different, but all things are negotiable. Uncle T, and a few
others, think it’s a great idea to throw, ‘Drunken Storytelling Night’ at
Grossman’s. How is that connected to exhibiting in China?
Well, the work that they have
chosen to exhibit illustrates my path out of the frustration I felt after rejecting
the advances of a man in a bar. The 'situation' lead to a bar brawl. A story I love to tell, not a love story.
(There is a censored and an uncensored version). Also, written in the book, Etiquette Guide to China by Boye Lafayette De Mente discussing business deals and drinking. The author says that unless the reason is medical, one is expected to
drink while negotiating. So I guess, I'll have to practice. Kidding!
I don’t believe
everything I read. I’ll let you know, when I return from China, if drinking
during business transactions is a custom or a fib.
When Julian, owner of Model Citizen,
asked me, “Why Drunken Storytelling Night?” I said.
“It’ll be fun. I’ll give an
addiction therapist the microphone and ask them to speak about all the programs
the city offers for those recovering from addiction. Then I’ll hand them a
drink and then we’ll all get up and tell crazy stories. I’ll record it and, put
it up on YouTube. Then for a million years your lineage will be able to look up
that video when they are curious about you.”
“I’m in,” he said.
Please don’t drink and drive.
And I don’t recommend that you drink to forget.
We’ll see what the owner at
Grossman’s says! Baby I got your number...
… and email address from your
wonderful staff. Not like that, though. I’m not planning to hit on you.
I was reading in ‘Our Toronto’
that the city’s Clean Toronto program began this month. There is still time to
pick up free GLAD garbage bags and recycling bags at local civic centres, community centres, Pizza Pizza.
Look forward to some more fun events.
I’ll be planning them solo. It didn’t work out with the PR rep/Event planner I hired. Anyone interested in filling his shoes can contact me via email. Hopefully,
we will be resolving our professional conflicts at St. Christopher House.
Back in the day, one could schedule an appointment with an impartial third
party to resolve conflicts. I have contacted them to see if that service is
still available. I don’t see it listed on their website.
“Can’t we all just get along?”
Here’s one opinion by Douglas Noll, a full time peacemaker and mediator specializing in difficult and
intractable conflicts.
Recent advances in the
neurosciences have established an irrefutable fact: Human beings are emotional,
not rational. Nevertheless, on the strength of Descartes’ rationalist
philosophy, the Enlightenment opened the doors to modern empiricism and led
humanity into the Scientific Revolution. No one doubted the power of rational
thinking to solve problems and unravel the mysteries of the observable
universe. From these observations came the belief that humans were
distinguished from all other creatures because of their rationality. To be
irrational was to be something less than human.
This belief deeply influenced
English and American law, foreign policy, and economic theory. Legal standards
were set by comparison to a prototypical rational person. Foreign policy was
based on the assumption that rational beings could sit together and work
through international disputes and conflicts. Economists built an entire field
of study on the assumption that consumers acted “rationally” in maximizing
their utility. People engaged in peacemaking, from the interpersonal to the
international level, assumed that despite the emotions of conflict, people
fundamentally were rational.
The truth is that we are 98
percent emotional and about two percent rational. Thus, the assumptions
underlying many disciplines and practices, especially peacemaking, need
significant revisions. Much remains unknown, but the implications of the
research so far demonstrate that we must be far more aware of neuropsychological
factors of human conflict. These factors explain much about conflict behaviors.
They also provide insights about new interventions in serious and intractable
conflicts.
To understand how our brain
deals with conflict, consider a simple emotional model. In this model, conflict
starts with some problem. The problem is serious enough to cause anxiety,
reflected in a feeling of insecurity. When anxiety or insecurity is first
experienced, we have a choice between reactivity and reflection. If we do not
make a choice, our default mode is to be reactive.
By being reactive, we might
reject the problem, give up, or feel inadequate to deal with the problem. If
the problem is persistent, we might struggle or exit. As the conflict develops,
we perceive it as a threat, and we may blame, attack or withdraw. These
behaviors constitute our fear reaction system. I like to call it our
self-protective system. The brain systems associated with fear reaction are
very, very old, dating back to the earliest vertebrae animals. Although highly
adaptive in the uncertain and dangerous environment of 20,000 years ago, the
system is largely maladaptive in our modern, complex culture.
If the choice for reflection is
made, we have learned to reflect, relate, and relax. The insecurity arising
from a conflict situation is recognized as pointing to a pathway of growth
towards greater peace and self-realization. We are led by our curiosity to
discover something new, find what is lost, or complete unfinished business.
Success leads us to wholeness, authenticity, power and wisdom.
The path, however, is not easy.
From anxiety and insecurity, we experience inadequacy (we don’t know what to
do) and a drop in self-esteem (we don’t feel good about self). We ride on a
broad emotional river and often experience fear of death, a drowning sensation,
being shaky, or cold. Along this journey, our fear reaction system could pull
us off the path of peace.
At the end of this emotional
drop, we end in a calm pool that represents the essential peace within us. In
this state, we hold an unshakable foundation of belief in ourselves. We are
authentic; we are present in the moment. We exhibit a full spectrum of self as
robust, rainbow colored, and multi-faceted. From this place, we can be
compassionate, tolerant, exhibit loving-kindness, and embrace peace. This is
what I have observed many people experiencing as they engage in conflict
resolution and achieve peace.
Many moons ago, Dr. Avenue Road
recommended a series of books when I complained of frustration around conflict
resolution. I highly recommend reading this series of books, especially for
those employed in the field of design. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if conflict
resolution was included in
the curriculum of design programs.
