Man In the Moon- Monday Art Day

Man In the Moon
5x7 Graphite & Watercolor
©BEDeuel/ Bronson Hill Arts

The topic for Monday Art Day is Man In the Moon (www.mondayartday.blogspot.com). There are always 3 things that come to mind whenever I think of the Man In the Moon: Andy Kaufman and REM; Jackie Gleason's face on the moon in the introduction to "The Honeymooners"; and, of course, especially this past month, Neil Armstrong and the moon landing in 1969.

As noted in the blurb with my Monday Art Day posting, I am still- so very many years later- in complete awe of the landing of Apollo 11. The reaching for and the success of conquering the "impossible" was never so clearly presented to the world, to the U.S., to the then-youth of the day.

We may have been tainted by this achievement in feeling that the world was ours to take. Of course, the economy, the expectations and the reality of life rarely make it that easy for us. Few of us have accomplished all the goals we thought we could. Not for lack of trying or working hard for those goals, but often just simply thwarted by unforseen circumstances.

Yet, paradoxically, perhaps we're all the tougher for having witnessed the "impossible" becoming possible. We know that, with the right investment of time and effort, all things can be possible. At least, that's how we were taught to think.

Maybe that's why we never give in and let life roll over us. We can't and we won't.

We can't all be heroes like Neil Armstrong, but we can take a piece of his accomplishments, a piece of his moon, and hold on the hope it represents and continue to strive to succeed.

RIP, Neil. Thank you for all you've given us. Thank you for being the Man in the Moon.



 

Monday Artday "Tiny Things" and Fascination

Fascination with Tiny Things
Graphite Sketch/Computer "Paint"
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

While doing some minor reorganizing in the livingroom, I came across a sketch journal I had started about 2 years ago. This drawing was in it. I only had 3 sketches in the journal that, I suspect, were all done on the same day. That's me, though: dive in headfirst at full speed only to lose momentum quickly.

It's never a question of just stopping. It's generally a question of distraction. I'm like a bird attracted to shiny objects. I am constantly pursuing more activities that catch my eye, that fascinate me.

You might think that by a certain point in life, i.e., solid middle-age, the desire to try new things or try doing old things in different ways would wane. But, it really hasn't. That desire has actually increased.

I'm not sure why it is that way. I think when we're kids, we're always seeing something new as the whole world is new to us. However, I also think that, when we're established in our lives- careers, housing and families are mostly settled- we are looking to reconnect with all the things we'd put on hold during those years we took to establish ourselves.

So, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and dabble in something else that's just peaked my interest! Oh, look! a shiny thing! Wonder what I can do with it...

Check out the Monday Artday Challenge for "Tiny Things"!

Monday Artday Miscalculate

Mis-cat-ulate
Soft Colored Pencil 6x9 80# Paper
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

I have never been considered a graceful person. Klutz, spastic, downright dangerous are most likely to be used to describe my movements.

That being said, why, oh, why do I choose to keep cats in the house?

Maybe it's the challenge of attempting to sense whether the cat will be under my feet as I'm carrying a basket of laundry down the staircase. Maybe it's a need to prove I can land on my feet just like a cat from an unnatural height. And not break an ankle. So far at least.

And for all of cats being a self-serving species, it puzzles me as to what motive they have in trying to put me out of commission. Hubby is not going to feed them 4 times a day like I do. They'll get food in the morning only because they annoy him until he gives in. But, no treats, no afternoon snack, and certainly no smelly, fishy soft food at bedtime will be given.

Yet, they persist in trying to trip me!

I doubt that I'll ever know what motive moves them, but be careful when you step blindly  in a downward direction: it's very easy to miscalculate!