How could it be ten years? It seems impossible. And yet, Facebook, Google and my friend from Chicago all sent reminders of the day. It was a grand show of my giant paintings at Flourish Gallery.
I marvel at all that has changed…and all that has not.
I don’t paint in the same style. I am married. I live abroad. Somedays, with a lot of effort, I don’t even speak the same language. Standing then, in the glow of the windy city preparing for the holidays to come, next to a giant painting of Ella Fitzgerald, I wasn’t even imagining any of it. I suppose it’s like the old joke says, “go ahead, make some plans…”
But here’s what is the same. The holidays still come. Friends remain within heart-reach. The light of the season is all around. And the well-lit path of love is still surprising me, guiding me.
Everything changes. Each navigation with it’s own challenges, difficulties. Ah, but the light… that glorious light. It always guides me home.
Our favorite croissants are from Picard. They are what you would call the classic croissant. I know in today’s world everything is made to be bigger, grander — you have to add more – color it, fill it, top it — but these are (I almost said “just” here, but there is nothing “just” about it) perfectly simple, and so very delicious.
While eating our croissants, and discussing the best croissants, we listen to the radio – “Jazz radio, Jazz and Soul” (say it quickly, with a French accent.) In the last week, they have been joyfully heavy on the Ella — Ella Fitzgerald. “This is a good song.” “Who is it?” Young Ella. Middle aged Ella. Old Ella. Each fabulous. No one like her. I recall watching a video of her with Frank Sinatra. He was at the top of his game, Chairman of the Board as they say. She walked onto his show singing. And you could see it – almost feel it – the absolute respect he had for her. It was palpable. And the beautiful thing is, there was nothing but her voice. It wasn’t about what she was wearing, who she was involved with, no, it was only that beautiful voice. Nothing else required. No need to color it, fill it, or top it, she was perfectly delicious.
This is what I want in my life. Not more, just better. I want quality. I want to go deeper. Feel it. Savor it.
Through the years, people have asked me about how I began my art business. What advice can you give? The answers have never changed. Always these two. ONE — pay attention — it’s not going to be the Tabernacle choir belting out the answers, but maybe just a gentle hum. And TWO — surround yourself with the best people you can find. People, not necessarily with the same talents or interests — but certainly people who ARE interested — interested in being better, better at their craft and better humans. Kinder humans. If you can do these two things, your life may not be perfect, but it will be perfectly delicious.
My day begins with croissants and Ella. The bar has been lifted. I am going to be better.
