Month: April 2021

George Washington

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1789 George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States of America on this day April 30.

“The harder the conflict , the greater the triumph”

George Washington

This is one of my early drawings – soft pencil on watercolor paper. What strikes me about this man is his suffering and his humility. He was in constant pain, I read somewhere because of his ill fitting false teeth, And yet even in the pain he did incredible feats, crossing the Delaware, leading countless battles, suffering great loss of loved ones, becoming the first president of a new country, he had tremendous responsibility and courage, all with an equivalent of a sixth grade education and field training. His father died when he was young leaving most of what he had to Washington’s older half brothers. Though the cards were stacked against him he rose agains and again, not because of hand outs but because of freedom to do so because of desire and resolve. consistently he made decisions that were unlike the expectation of those around him, turning down the request to be king and freeing the slaves he owned was not the popular thing to do, He didn’t do what was popular but what was right, he pushed through pain, he led without degree and he survived without wealth. It is to this man and his unlikely character we owe so much as Americans. Anyone read a good biography I would love to find one on his life?

“ if freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we gmay be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

George Washington

Rabbi

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Passover is fast approaching. I thought it appropriate to display a Rabbi studying Torah. This is one of my favorite pictures that I have drawn, I struggled a lot with it so it reminds me not to give up. But that’s not why it’s my favorite. I can’t tell you the name of the Rabbi I just liked the beauty of a man advanced in age so intensely immersed in Gods words.
I was reading about Mary pouring her alabaster box full of perfume over Jesus only 2 days before Passover, two days before he was crucified. Did she know? Did she know he would soon become the Passover?How could she? Her act was an act of faith because she didn’t know, even the disciples were confused about this mystery. We read Gods word to know Him better, but do we act in faith even when we don’t fully understand those words or who He truly is? perhaps we read to know ourselves better, what we look like, what we believe…perhaps we read that we might know how to act in faith. Perhaps this Rabbi isn’t studying Gods word at all, but in his old age simply looking into a mirror, a true act of faith indeed.

Nelson Mendala

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“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”

Nelson Mendela what a wise man!

“It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity, or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.”

“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”

“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”

“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”

Maya Angelo

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Maya Angelou’s life and the seven autobiographies left behind are wonderful evidence that people of all races and backgrounds have told their stories and had the freedom and opportunity to do so here in America. This is the fruit of democracy and excersize of constitutional rights. Maya’s life is evidence of the American experience, she who rose from the very dredges of life; her great grandmother was emancipated from slavery after the civil war and yet over time because of our free, not perfect, but free country Maya at a ripe old age died a successful, wealthy, famous, influential author with a long and extensive career and honored member of society not because of the color of her skin but because of the choices she made in life; she and people like her are the reason everyone wants to come to america. her voice was not only heard and listened to but is used in educational institutions still to this day. This is a true American story the story of the individual rising up like a Phoenix. She received a presidential medal of freedom from president Obama. she was the first poet to make an inaugural address at the inauguration of of JFK. She was a respected spokesperson and political activist. Her life and experiences are not free from hardships and pain, she suffered a great deal. Her very life and history is evidence that no one has a perfect story to tell, that suffering and obstacles descend upon every human being and in many situations build into us purpose strength and character. no family, people group or Individual is spared of affliction in this world unfortunately, it comes to us all in different ways; however as long as we live in a free country we can make choices about how we live and what we do as individuals and we can work hard, rise up and make a difference. Maya Angelo certainly did.

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

Maya Angelo

The Chosen People

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“ And I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love.”

Psalm 119:48

American citizens and especially the church ought to love , honor and protect the laws and words of God for it was by them and with them that this countries foundations were laid, freedoms were defined and constitution was constructed, it is by them and through them we come to know God, it is by them and through them God has revealed messiah and it is by them and with them peoples are revived, comforted and gain understanding.
If we do not know them we will most surely misinterpret them and misunderstand the creators heart for humankind.

“The law of the lord is perfect , Restoring the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure; making wise the simple the precepts of the Lord are right; rejoicing the heart, the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes” psalm 19:48

Norman Rockwell

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Then there’s this guy who has painstakingly and lovingly preserved an ideal American culture with its values and virtues through his paintings and artwork.

“I paint life as I would like it to be”

Norman Rockwell.

I highly recommend his page turning autobiography “my adventures as an illustrator” which detail his fascinating life story and describe many of his paintings.

Temple Grandin

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“I am different not less”

Temple Grandin

April 2 was autism awareness day. Temple Grandin is an autistic woman. She is one of my hero’s, because she used her differences to make a difference in the world,. She recognized the beauty and value in different kind of people, but many people haven’t even heard of temple Grandin. She wrote a fantastic book called ‘thinking in pictures”, there’s also a movie about her life called temple Grandin. Temple graduated high school and college and went on to re-design over half of the cattle processing plants in America so that they would be more humane. She is an amazing woman. Here’s more info from biography.com.

Who Is Temple Grandin? “

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to pursue work in psychology and animal science. She has become a leading advocate for autistic communities and has also written books and provided consultation on the humane treatment of animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award-winning film on Grandin’s life. “born August 29, 1947 is an American scientist and activist. She is a prominent proponent for the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. Grandin is a consultant to the livestock industry, where she offers advice on animal behavior, and is also an autism spokesperson. “The world needs all types of minds. -Temple Grandin

Vincent Van Gogh

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  • Only when I fall do I get up again.”
    – Vincent Van Gogh
  • I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.”
    – Vincent Van Gogh
  • I’m such a nobody.”
    – Vincent Van Gogh
  • I would rather die of passion than of boredom.”
    – Vincent Van Gogh
  • What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ”
    – Vincent Van Gogh
  • I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove. ”
    – Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh. An unloved man in his life in every way. No one wanted his paintings , no one wanted his company and no one wanted his perspective on life. You might not know that he studied theology, but was kicked out of church for preaching the Bible too literally, he failed at everything he tried to do, and as far as he knew even his paintings were a failure. He only sold one small painting in his lifetime, because people didn’t like his original and unique style of brushwork, he painted because it was all he could do. He only knew rejection but still he painted, still he gave the world over 800 pieces of artwork, not because they made him rich or because they pleased others. Man was made to work for a purpose and if the only work you can do is paint then paint, if it’s to teach, teach if it’s to be a parent be the best parent you can, if it’s to lead then lead well, if it’s to speak speak truth. Whatever you can do, do it with all your strength regardless if others accept it – because you never know the impact your work will have on the world. We are made with eternity in our hearts and I think there’s something deep inside each of us that knows the work we do on earth will outlast us if we do it with all our heart.

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. ”

– Vincent Van Gogh

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