Comments on: On the beach… http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/ Artist Writer Curious Dreamer Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:29:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jean Burman http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Jean Burman Mon, 19 Feb 2007 03:46:52 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-95 It's so great to see you here Katherine! Thank you for your lovely comments! :-) It’s so great to see you here Katherine! Thank you for your lovely comments! :-)

]]> By: Katherine Courtney http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Katherine Courtney Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:54:11 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-94 Jean, John's link to your blog brought me here, but your writing and comments have kept me reading and interested as they did in the ArtCafe. I have bookmarked your blog as I have John's. What a great site you have! Jean, John’s link to your blog brought me here, but your writing and comments have kept me reading and interested as they did in the ArtCafe. I have bookmarked your blog as I have John’s.

What a great site you have!

]]> By: Jean Burman http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Jean Burman Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:45:22 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-93 JOHN - I guess "On the Beach" was a poignant reminder of how far civilisation has come in a relatively very short time. We are dabbling in (and tampering with) forces of nature that we don't fully comprehend or necessarily fully understand... without proper thought or consideration for the consequences of our actions... and without the necessary antidote for the calamities we may cause! Add to that... blatant disregard (ignorance) and self interest at the political level and we have a very serious situation. Scary stuff. JOOLS - I'm with you... love conquers all in the end. Therein lies our hope for the future. MARY - Like you... I cannot (and will always refuse to) lose sight of the goodness in humankind. I think there will always be hope for the future when there are good people (dare I say like us here? <smile>) who are raising (and teaching) our children good values. I think this was the single most powerful message put across in the movie "On the Beach" - that in the end what we thought was important (money and material "things") meant nothing at all - like I said - in the end life was "pared down to the many forms of enduring love that one human being can have for another" Thanks for your great comments everyone! :-) JOHN – I guess “On the Beach” was a poignant reminder of how far civilisation has come in a relatively very short time. We are dabbling in (and tampering with) forces of nature that we don’t fully comprehend or necessarily fully understand… without proper thought or consideration for the consequences of our actions… and without the necessary antidote for the calamities we may cause! Add to that… blatant disregard (ignorance) and self interest at the political level and we have a very serious situation. Scary stuff.

JOOLS – I’m with you… love conquers all in the end. Therein lies our hope for the future.

MARY – Like you… I cannot (and will always refuse to) lose sight of the goodness in humankind. I think there will always be hope for the future when there are good people (dare I say like us here? ) who are raising (and teaching) our children good values.

I think this was the single most powerful message put across in the movie “On the Beach” – that in the end what we thought was important (money and material “things”) meant nothing at all – like I said – in the end life was “pared down to the many forms of enduring love that one human being can have for another”

Thanks for your great comments everyone! :-)

]]> By: Mary Jansen http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Mary Jansen Sun, 18 Feb 2007 21:26:57 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-92 Oh yeah...Iove the painting too!!!! I just fall into your watercolors Jean and take a little honeymoon from the real world. So peaceful and warm! Oh yeah…Iove the painting too!!!! I just fall into your watercolors Jean and take a little honeymoon from the real world. So peaceful and warm!

]]> By: Mary Jansen http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Mary Jansen Sun, 18 Feb 2007 21:25:30 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-91 Oh my John! "A blight on the earth"?!! Surely human kind has the potential and capacity to change too. I have to believe this. Even though living here in the United States, in the midst of abject selfish consumerism, I have to cling to hope that people can and must be influenced to live harmoniously with the rest of the world, (and I mean world, not just humankind...). My husband and I have worked hard as parents to bring our sons up with a sense of appreciative understanding of their surroundings...and it's difficult when their peers seem to take all things for granted. We lead such lives of luxury here in the states it's no wonder people want to immigrate here and share in a piece of the pie. My frustration lies in people's lack of understanding behind this luxurious lifestyle. The more we consume, the greater the consequences on the global environment . The more we waste the more we exploit those living in third world countries whose livelihoods have been jepardized by our continuous need for more. If we could learn, (and we can!) to live more simply I'm fairly certain the evils of the world would subside. I the meanwhile I will vote my conscience and campaign for those candidates that represent fair living...a far cry from what our present government seems to advocate. Oh my John! “A blight on the earth”?!! Surely human kind has the potential and capacity to change too. I have to believe this. Even though living here in the United States, in the midst of abject selfish consumerism, I have to cling to hope that people can and must be influenced to live harmoniously with the rest of the world, (and I mean world, not just humankind…). My husband and I have worked hard as parents to bring our sons up with a sense of appreciative understanding of their surroundings…and it’s difficult when their peers seem to take all things for granted. We lead such lives of luxury here in the states it’s no wonder people want to immigrate here and share in a piece of the pie. My frustration lies in people’s lack of understanding behind this luxurious lifestyle. The more we consume, the greater the consequences on the global environment . The more we waste the more we exploit those living in third world countries whose livelihoods have been jepardized by our continuous need for more. If we could learn, (and we can!) to live more simply I’m fairly certain the evils of the world would subside.
I the meanwhile I will vote my conscience and campaign for those candidates that represent fair living…a far cry from what our present government seems to advocate.

]]> By: Garden Jools http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Garden Jools Sun, 18 Feb 2007 17:42:01 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-90 Here, here John! Is that act of love, the love for life? Here, here John! Is that act of love, the love for life?

]]> By: John C http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-89 John C Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:46:39 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-89 Great thoughts, Jools. The world as we know will "end" sometime, but the energy that holds it all together will remain forever. I believe that "love" flows from that energy as a powerful positive force. Meditating on this force -- what it is, why it exists at all -- is amazingly cleansing. I like to think about the title of Gaugin's masterpiece, "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?", and realize that this is the question that is central to being an artist. The endless qeustfor the answer is an act of love. Great thoughts, Jools. The world as we know will “end” sometime, but the energy that holds it all together will remain forever. I believe that “love” flows from that energy as a powerful positive force. Meditating on this force — what it is, why it exists at all — is amazingly cleansing. I like to think about the title of Gaugin’s masterpiece, “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”, and realize that this is the question that is central to being an artist. The endless qeustfor the answer is an act of love.

]]> By: Garden Jools http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Garden Jools Sat, 17 Feb 2007 20:45:08 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-87 Yes, you are right Jean - we have created the monster that the human race is. A mini series such as "On the Beach" can bring about the reality of the predicament we could all very well find ourselves in. I also agree with John - life is about change and how we deal with that change. Our planet has gone through catastrophic changes through its own history - something always survives to begin a new cycle. I am always fascinated with what the experts dig up and where.....did you see "the lovers" that were discovered, skeletons that were clinging to each other when they died. There is also the numerous animals that have been found, perfectly preserved with food still in their mouths and stomachs - awesome! I think that if the world were to "end"...I would rather not know. I would rather not say goodbye to someone - I would rather have them with me. It would be nice to think that you have your affairs in order and be able to convey how you feel to someone special if you knew your time was up. My affairs may not be in order, but those I love are told every day. Heavy stuff - but thought worthy!!!! Yes, you are right Jean – we have created the monster that the human race is. A mini series such as “On the Beach” can bring about the reality of the predicament we could all very well find ourselves in.
I also agree with John – life is about change and how we deal with that change. Our planet has gone through catastrophic changes through its own history – something always survives to begin a new cycle. I am always fascinated with what the experts dig up and where…..did you see “the lovers” that were discovered, skeletons that were clinging to each other when they died. There is also the numerous animals that have been found, perfectly preserved with food still in their mouths and stomachs – awesome! I think that if the world were to “end”…I would rather not know. I would rather not say goodbye to someone – I would rather have them with me.
It would be nice to think that you have your affairs in order and be able to convey how you feel to someone special if you knew your time was up. My affairs may not be in order, but those I love are told every day. Heavy stuff – but thought worthy!!!!

]]> By: John C http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-86 John C Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:58:52 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-86 First of all, Jean, I love your watercolor! And it makes a powerful and ironic lead-in to the discussion of "On the Beach." The sad and frustrating thing about all our railings about the thugs who have brought the world to this point is, I fear, that mankind is simply a blight on the earth, a natural calamity, a force spreading havoc like plagues of locusts only much more potent. Even the most benign of Man's works, like cities, housing developments, and superhighways, cause upheaval, far in excess of what one volcano, flood, or tornado can do. The reality is that there is no such thing as destruction in the universe, only change, and the forces of nature are only forces of change. There's no good or evil. What comes this way will pass, and make way for something else. Scientists now claim to have proof of water on Mars, which ups the chance that there once was or may still be primitive life forms on that planet. The best any one of us can do is share with others the beauty that's in our heads and hearts, as you're doing with that lovely painting. First of all, Jean, I love your watercolor! And it makes a powerful and ironic lead-in to the discussion of “On the Beach.” The sad and frustrating thing about all our railings about the thugs who have brought the world to this point is, I fear, that mankind is simply a blight on the earth, a natural calamity, a force spreading havoc like plagues of locusts only much more potent. Even the most benign of Man’s works, like cities, housing developments, and superhighways, cause upheaval, far in excess of what one volcano, flood, or tornado can do. The reality is that there is no such thing as destruction in the universe, only change, and the forces of nature are only forces of change. There’s no good or evil. What comes this way will pass, and make way for something else. Scientists now claim to have proof of water on Mars, which ups the chance that there once was or may still be primitive life forms on that planet. The best any one of us can do is share with others the beauty that’s in our heads and hearts, as you’re doing with that lovely painting.

]]> By: Jean http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Jean Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:44:55 +0000 http://jeanburman.com/2007/02/15/on-the-beach/#comment-84 Well said Jools :-) I must have been a serious kind of kid too... as I remember exchanging letters with my Dad when I was at boarding school back in the 70s about the insanity of the French nuclear tests in the Pacific! I agree about the Y Generation... but we also have to look at their parents... baby boomers and Gen X'ers... who should have (and could have) instilled better values by way of a better example. We've had quite a bit of competition in their upbringing tho... from television, movies and the media... whose negative influence cannot be underestimated (in my book). On the bright side... they will grow up... and with maturity (sometimes) comes wisdom and insight! Thanks for commenting Jools... Well said Jools :-)

I must have been a serious kind of kid too… as I remember exchanging letters with my Dad when I was at boarding school back in the 70s about the insanity of the French nuclear tests in the Pacific!

I agree about the Y Generation… but we also have to look at their parents… baby boomers and Gen X’ers… who should have (and could have) instilled better values by way of a better example. We’ve had quite a bit of competition in their upbringing tho… from television, movies and the media… whose negative influence cannot be underestimated (in my book). On the bright side… they will grow up… and with maturity (sometimes) comes wisdom and insight!

Thanks for commenting Jools…

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