It is a curious thing to me that there is a kind of dance between life describing art or art describing life. Putting my book together made me understand the extent to which my life, especially my inner life had informed my work. Most of the time I was actually resisting it, that is assuming I was even aware of it, but it thrust itself on the work. If this has been true in the past then it will be very interesting to see what comes of this current period of my life.

As a result of the Russian project (Warriors), I have found a real grounding in my work as opposed to the romantic flying figures and my wistful yearning for the ideal. That does not mean I am giving up on that, just that there is an added aspect of dealing with real people, albeit still in something of a romantic mode. This actually stared long ago, but became very apparent with the Russians and has had substantial impact on my creative thinking.

The patron responsible for this project recently took me on a trip to South East Asia. This experience made vivid a position that I hold so firmly, that we must always consider our place within the total context of the planet, even the universe. It is so easy to become so close to our daily living that we fail to consider the rest of our story. Perhaps most important is our story within the framework of the other five billion odd souls who occupy the earth, not to mention the billions and billions of other critters from whale to amoebae. During this travel, this sense of being part of others was never more vivid, and the position of privilege that circumstance has so generously bestowed on me truly humbling. I am not crazy about that word humbling, because it sounds fatuous in some ways, but I do like it in the sense of being teachable, open and curious. The travel also made me angry at the greed and ignorance and resulting arrogance that tends to dictate so much of the behavior in which we Westerners indulge ourselves. Our self-indulgence in the face of the limitations of so many in the rest of the world, as well as many in our own world, is close to obscene·. (Says he who is asking Santa for a high definition TV) It is so daunting. Along as some action for the good of others follows such thoughts, and those who make such toys are paid decently, it is foolish to become so overwrought that we end up wringing our hands impotently. This just leaves us useless in making a difference. But considering the beginnings and ends of our lives and the way they affect others and even history is a monumental and sobering thing, but as decent human beings there is no other choice but to do it.

I have long wondered about the capacity of art to make a difference. Of course it can on a very individual basis, but when I think of the power of Picasso’s Guernica, and how many millions have died violently since he produced it, it is hard to believe that art really can make much of a difference. But that does not mean one gives up. And of course we also have to resist the temptation to become didactic.

Actually, this travel really has crystallized concepts which have been gelling for the last couple of years and actually had a scene planted way back in my Alpine, Utah days. I have always found that verbalizing about what I intend to do with my work, is the best way to make it either not happen or when it does, make it rather insipid. For that reason I will not blather on about that, but will say I will get to work and allow the mystery of art to happen, while directly considering the powerful experience in Indo China. I will never forget the generosity of those dear friends and patrons who made it possible. I am so incredibly fortunate.

Meanwhile, I am working to complete the Russians, starting number twelve and touching up several others. I am also working on a double portrait of two terrific guys from San Jose, and another of a woman for whom I have a very deep sense of connection, perhaps because both of us share a current difficulty in the form of cancer. Next week I start procedures for prostate cancer, which will last, well into the New Year. I am assured the side effects will not be too bad, but I am a baby and whine and whimper, just kidding, I am very fatalistic about these things and will just take it as it comes. Hey ho… and that is not being glibfolks, just real, painful though reality might be. Blessings on one and all…