“Universal Blunder”
Calendar available now at Red Bubble - Click Here
Pen & Watercolour
Copyright © 2009 Jean Burman
If only all the world were artists!
There would be no trouble or strife… no war… no conflict… no politics or global financial crisis… nor even any global warming! No…. the world would sing along happily… with each of us merrily dunking our paintbrushes into our coffee mugs in precise and perfect unison! Ahhh… if only it were so… [grin]
People are funny. But artists are even funnier. We think we’re different. But we’re not. And there’s more than enough good reason why we should be… as many miles and distant oceans stand between us. But in reality we have more in common than we might want to admit!
This idea was the inspiration for my Universal Artist Calendar for 2010. Here are just twelve things we [more than likely] have in common.
Original Postcard Copyright © 2009 Jean Burman
There was trouble in paradise this week with the early onset of the big wet. One thing I now know for sure is that people really hate to travel half way round the world just to sit in their hotel room waiting for the rain to stop.
It’s good for me though… because when people can’t go scuba diving out on the reef… bungy jumping from the trees… fighting off crocs in the Daintree… or leaping out of planes [dangling as they do from a fistful of tightly grasped threads on their way back down to earth]… they take watercolor classes with me. Cool!
I am still meeting lots of interesting people… and despite almost being blown sideways off the verandah on Monday and rained on… I am still enjoying my stint as Artist in Residence at the Reef House.
After my close encounter of the climate change kind [no seriously - denial is a river in Egypt *wink - sorry]… I took a short drive up to Port Douglas for some coffee and carrot cake to console me.
For those who might be interested… here is my coffee and carrot cake… [it was rather yummy]
Tuesday I moved into the Gift Shop out of the elements. That was a relief… although fewer people can now find me. But I have a nice display of my artwork there. Why does life have to always be a tradeoff?
Why can’t we have the people… but without the rain?
Why can’t we simply have it all?
We artists don’t want much… do we?
Just love and respect… acceptance… and to be heard and understood like all the other [normal] people on the planet.
So who… may I ask you… put that absolutely humungous [adventure tour] sign right smack bang in front of my carefully set up display? Man… no wonder Vince Van Gogh felt compelled to cut off an ear…
But I digress… (((chuckles)))
“Universal Poverty”
Cartoon Pen & Watercolor
Copyright © 2009 Jean Burman
Comments welcome. Cheer me up… say hello here! 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
As always, I enjoy your blogs tremendously. I love your redesigned site. Haven’t been here in a while. Is this new or not so new? Whichever, it is great! Now if the world would only listen to you as you speak of us artists!
Thanks Vernita
No… the blog is pretty much how it’s been for quite a while now. Have a few new banners and buttons to click on (with more to come) but those are the only changes of late.
Re the world? Oh I dunno. I don’t think people have the time or inclination to listen. Remember Starry Starry Night? I think Don MacLean had it pegged. Having said that though… I see this as the world’s problem not ours. We are the lucky ones who… with a bit of work… are capable of achieving full expression in our lives. How cool is that?
Oh Jean!-Your experience with the wind and rain must have been exciting to say the least–(more fun in the remembering I’m sure) And—you–need cheering up??-From here, you seem like one of the cheeriest people I know. I’m glad you’re enjoying the Artist-in-residence gig– I know how much fun it is sharing art with people who want to learn. It lifts my spirits to see people so pleased with the results of a class with me.
I wholeheartedly agree, we artists are the lucky ones–once in front of our drawing table with pen or brush in hand, the world is ours— As for that sign—I’m sure you could find a place out on that “verandah” for it.(Giggle)
Yes Anita… I dispatched it immediately! LOL And it was the fact that someone actually had the temerity to put it there in the first place… was the main reason I needed cheering up! Grin. We ARE the lucky ones!
I’ve had a GREAT day… one right out of the bag (working with kids producing their very own music album) SO inspiring so much FUN! More to come on that… (when I get back home and recover)
Oooh, I want some of that coffee and cake!
Another delightful blog entry, Jean, and I love the cartoons. I suspect that few artists are really artists. (You are an artist, in my book.) All one has to do is walk into any gallery in the world and see how many darned paintings of koi fish there are, or wine bottles or rowboats.
Thanks John
What a great compliment. Yep… don’t you get just sick of koi fish? LOL
Rushing this morning for my second day at the Muso workshop. I am incorporating art into today’s session. Scared witless presenting to 60 (12 – 17 year olds!) More later.
I find Koi delicious.lol
Yum!
Hey Roger… while I’ve got you here… your Calendar arrived today. Wow… it’s fantastic. Thanks so much for that.