Kseniya Simonova - You are always near

Many of you have already seen this, but a friend, Matt Ivey brought this to my attention and it is truly inspiring.

Kseniya Simonova is an incredible artist who won Ukraine’s version of “America’s Got Talent.” She uses a giant light box, music, imagination and “sand painting” skills to interpret Germany’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

James Donaghy wrote in the Guardian: “If we take it that art’s purpose is to illuminate the world in a new way, provoke a reaction, somehow alter the consciousness of the viewer, then her work is a huge success.”

Barack Obama and Mr. Fish

These wonderful art cartoons are by Mr Fish! Dwayne Booth (Mr. Fish) is a regular cartoon contributor to the print edition of the LA Weekly, and he also maintains Catch of the Day, a daily cartoon blog for the Weekly’s website. Dwayne has contributed a number of written features for the Weekly, is a weekly cartoonist for Harpers.org, and a featured cartoonist in Daryl Cagle’s cartoon archive at MSNBC.com.

Thank you Mr Fish!

My Drawing in book The Bridge, The Eric Voltz Story

My drawing of the map of Nicaragua is in the book The Bridge, The Eric Voltz Story by Michael Glasgow. On November 21, 2006, Doris Jimenez was brutally raped, sodomized and strangled in the picturesque town of San Juan del Sur located on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Four men were arrested in association with the crime including her former boyfriend Eric Volz, a twenty-something American from Nashville, TN. With air-tight alibis, Voltz should have been exonerated within days. Instead, he was found guilty and given the maximum sentence of thirty years of which he served almost a year prior to being released.

The following is a quote from the book which is incredibly relevant to the United States and the rest of the world. Latin American poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “Latin America is very fond of the word ‘hope.’ We like to be called the ‘continent of hope.’ Candidates for deputy, senator, president call themselves ‘candidates of hope.’ This hope is really something of a promise of heaven, an IOU whose payment is always being put off. It is put off until the next legislative campaign, until the next year, until the next century.”

If you enjoy books, wine and smart conversation: On Thursday, April 16th from 6-7pm there is an Evening with an Author at Martha’s (Belle Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Road) featuring Michael Glasgow, author of The Bridge: The Eric Volz Story.

Happy New Year Frances!

Popsicles and Grenades is beginning the new year with some positive artwork. Happy New Year Frances! I am posting a drawing I did of Frances, my daughter. The drawing is not in a style or technique that I utilize often, but it was for a gift and I enjoyed the process. The next drawing is of a sculpture from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. I am also giving this drawing away as a gift for Christmas past.
But, on to the New Year!

What goals have you set for this new year? What are you doing to ensure your success? What I enjoy most about the new year is the symbolic change that can occur in every one. We all have the opportunity to start fresh - to change old ways and to learn new things. A shift in consciousness!

I am confident that this year will bring many joys and sorrows. If I may just recognize and affirm the good in all, but deal with malevolence with honest strength then I will be prepared for evil and encourage good. “He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted.” - Lao Tzu