Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Worth of Pollock

Today is the birthday of Paul Jackson Pollock.

Interestingly enough I just watched a documentary on Monday called - Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock? It is about a tough-talking truck driving woman who bought a painting at a flea market for $5. She bought it as a joke for her friend. It wouldn't fit in the double-wide trailer door so she decided to sell it at a yard sale. Someone approached her at the sale and said "I think that's a Pollock." The owner didn't know anything about Pollock (hence the title), but she thought she could get rich on the painting. The documentary follows the next ten years of research from forensic scientists and art historians. It was never decided if it was truly a Pollock or not but the woman was offered $25 million for the painting. She is holding out for more money.

I began to wonder if there was anything in my life that I held on to like this painting. What is of worth to me? Who decides the value of such things? Did Pollock believe his "art" was of any value? Would he be shocked that his "mess" would be worth $25 million? Today he would have been 97 years old and as one great mind says, "he knows better now."

When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well. - Jackson Pollock

Monday, January 26, 2009

Books

At one time I had a blog called Partially Read Books. The intent of the blog was to write brief reviews of books I had been reading and to hold me accountable to actually finishing books I had started reading. It didn't work so I deleted the blog. Below is a list of popular books I have read (actually cover to cover) over the last few months. I won't write about any of the books but if you have questions about any of them please ask in the comments. I may answer. I will tell you this - all of the books below are books I would recommend - some more than others.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Still snowing...

This picture was taken on January 3rd.  The chainlink fence is three feet tall.  
This picture was taken today (1.13.09).  The chainlink fence is under the snow and still three feet tall.  

Monday, January 12, 2009

New bedhead

January 11, 2009 was a good day in the Black house for bedhead. Click HERE to see all of the entries. Send us a picture if you think you have what it takes to enter the bedhead hall of fame. There is one new entry of an "unknown" entry. See if you know who it is.



Thursday, January 08, 2009

Anniversary - 1.8.2009

It has been the best 9 years of my life. 
It has been the best 108 months of my life.
It has been the best 469 weeks of my life.  
It has been the best 3289 days of my life.  
It has been the best 78,936 hours of my life.
It has been the best 4,736,160 minutes of my life.
It has been the best 284,169,600 seconds of my life.

I love my wife.  She is a gift from God.  

Saturday, January 03, 2009

On our way to a record

The chain link fence in our back yard is three feet high. We now have 30 inches of snow on the ground and we are well on our way to an all-time winter record. Do you want to come visit?

Friday, January 02, 2009

From Us to You - BONUS TRACK

I hope you enjoy the bonus track.  I know many of you have downloaded the entire Christmas album and we are glad we could help make your holidays so much more enjoyable.  


Please enjoy the BONUS TRACK.