As a democrat who until recently, admired & respected Senator John McCain, I recall the man considered the black sheep of the Republican Party, the man who viewed issues and took action based on conscience, principles and values and not political allegiance, the man committed to government in the best interest of America and Americans.
During the last few years and over the course of this campaign, that admiration and respect slowly diminished and has now disappeared. Senator McCain has sold his title “The Maverick” to the political black market. His misguided attempt to be more and his desperation to achieve significance have over shadowed his very identity. The irony is (and he failed to recognize), he already was more. He already was significant.
Senator McCain’s handling of his campaign, the pseudo suspension and the deliberate attempts to mislead, demonstrate his new character, his new identity and his new allegiance to political party. Senator McCain has betrayed his principles, values and his honor in exchange for his party’s affirmation.
I believe his actions during the recent presidential debate reflect his internal awareness of this betrayal, as demonstrated by his failure to acknowledge, make eye contact, or even address Senator Obama. An interesting observation… throughout the debate as Senator McCain spoke of his proud accomplishments; his point of reference was his former self, “The Maverick”
28 September 2008
17 September 2008
HELENE M. WEISS, B. 1939, New York City Currently resides: Miami, Florida
Paintings, Mixed media on canvas, Sketches
“She has surpassed Mark Rothko,” has often been said about Helene Weiss’ paintings when critics and collectors see how she uses color, form, layering, composition and juxtaposition in her work.
Weiss redefines how the canvas can be used to communicate with the viewer. Many of her paintings pull in and reflect natural light, changing the tone and message of each painting with each turn and position of its viewer. Featured in the critically acclaimed new book, Miami Contemporary Artists, Weiss’ work can change the entire mood and atmosphere of a room unlike any other artist one has experienced.
Of her own work, Weiss writes: “My paintings are about color, line and form. The most important aspect is to have the viewer connect with the canvas and the emotion they see there.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, at 68-years-old, Helene Weiss has been studying art and painting for many years. She attended Boston University’s School of Fine & Applied Arts and received scholarships to study and work on her craft at the Brooklyn Museum of Art as well as the well-known Provincetown Workshop, an incubator for talented artists from around the world. While in Provincetown, famous artists Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler, who owned a home there, became her mentors.
Weiss’ work has been exhibited in galleries across the country and at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cloisters. A student of art, Weiss is knowledgeable about art history, painters and periods and her love and respect for the Masters is evident when one speaks to her. Her art, however, is quite obviously her own.
“I have painted for many years,” she says, “and eventually found my inner voice.” Her current series of paintings, titled as a whole, The Sublime Essence of Being, are abstract expressions and still-lives interpreted in a way that distinctly realizes color, shape and texture, unfolding these elements on the canvas as if each painting were a great piece of music.
“Painting for me is blissful and challenging,” Weiss notes. “I delight in expressing an image that takes you to another place.” Weiss believes she is in Miami at this time for a very special reason, “Miami has grown so much in how it is perceived in the art world. I am grateful to be a part of the international cognizance of the talent that is inherent here. One does not have to leave Florida anymore to find world-class artists.”
An extensive survey of Helene Weiss’ work will be exhibited at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery in the Design District, January 31-February 9, 2008. The solo show titled, Now and Then, will feature Weiss’ older as well as most recent work.
by: Andrea Thompson - Thompson Communications
“She has surpassed Mark Rothko,” has often been said about Helene Weiss’ paintings when critics and collectors see how she uses color, form, layering, composition and juxtaposition in her work.
Weiss redefines how the canvas can be used to communicate with the viewer. Many of her paintings pull in and reflect natural light, changing the tone and message of each painting with each turn and position of its viewer. Featured in the critically acclaimed new book, Miami Contemporary Artists, Weiss’ work can change the entire mood and atmosphere of a room unlike any other artist one has experienced.
Of her own work, Weiss writes: “My paintings are about color, line and form. The most important aspect is to have the viewer connect with the canvas and the emotion they see there.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, at 68-years-old, Helene Weiss has been studying art and painting for many years. She attended Boston University’s School of Fine & Applied Arts and received scholarships to study and work on her craft at the Brooklyn Museum of Art as well as the well-known Provincetown Workshop, an incubator for talented artists from around the world. While in Provincetown, famous artists Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler, who owned a home there, became her mentors.
Weiss’ work has been exhibited in galleries across the country and at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cloisters. A student of art, Weiss is knowledgeable about art history, painters and periods and her love and respect for the Masters is evident when one speaks to her. Her art, however, is quite obviously her own.
“I have painted for many years,” she says, “and eventually found my inner voice.” Her current series of paintings, titled as a whole, The Sublime Essence of Being, are abstract expressions and still-lives interpreted in a way that distinctly realizes color, shape and texture, unfolding these elements on the canvas as if each painting were a great piece of music.
“Painting for me is blissful and challenging,” Weiss notes. “I delight in expressing an image that takes you to another place.” Weiss believes she is in Miami at this time for a very special reason, “Miami has grown so much in how it is perceived in the art world. I am grateful to be a part of the international cognizance of the talent that is inherent here. One does not have to leave Florida anymore to find world-class artists.”
An extensive survey of Helene Weiss’ work will be exhibited at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery in the Design District, January 31-February 9, 2008. The solo show titled, Now and Then, will feature Weiss’ older as well as most recent work.
by: Andrea Thompson - Thompson Communications
13 September 2008
Playing politics & the notion of who is on the right or wrong side of an issue
Politicians and we the people support political issues based on our individual sense of right and wrong, agree or disagree. Does right or wrong truly exist when we consider what each of us say, feel and believe as related to any issue is in large part based on our own life experience, our own values and principles, our own perception?
The truth is individual beliefs are real, valid and significant to the individual, regardless of collective agreement or disagreement. We must understand the simple reality that each of us believe what we believe because of our own experience and the validation of others with the same or similar experience. There is no real right or wrong. If we believe it, it is so.
Beliefs reflect life experiences and therefore should be acknowledged and respected. We do not have to agree; we must however acknowledge and respect the beliefs of one another. To dismiss an individual’s belief is to invalidate their personal experience as wrong or wrongly perceived.
We each live, think and process issues as they relate to our own lives. Each of us inherited the gift of free thought from our creator. No one is right or wrong. We simply perceive things differently. We live our experiences and only as we evolve, are we open to the possibility of our beliefs changing… and still that change may or may not ever line up with a consensus in thinking.
Right and wrong as it relates to any issue can only exist when the belief of a collective does not align, but even if it does, as in majority rule, it still would not exist (or matter) as it does not change the belief of the minority individual experience and therefore personal belief…
To unite this country we must dismiss the notion that unity means in agreement or of the same opinion. We must understand that acknowledgement and acceptance of our differing opinions is ultimately, what will unite us. Until such time we are destined to settle very few issues and will understand no one except those that think as we do.
The job of our elected officials is not to change minds or dictate right and wrong. That will never happen. Government is tasked with speaking the will of all people. In order for life to proceed and in the interest of evolving and advancing as a country we must truly listen and acknowledge one another regardless of which side of an issue we may find ourselves.
Let us explore the issues, share our common beliefs and make decisions based on a collaborative effort that best represents the beliefs of all Americans. We must look to what unites us rather than what divides us, for somewhere in between lies our common truth and the answers we all seek. Let us acknowledge, respect and accept the beliefs off all Americans, as they are real, valid and deserve to be heard.
Let us not be right by making others wrong.
The American Evolution
The truth is individual beliefs are real, valid and significant to the individual, regardless of collective agreement or disagreement. We must understand the simple reality that each of us believe what we believe because of our own experience and the validation of others with the same or similar experience. There is no real right or wrong. If we believe it, it is so.
Beliefs reflect life experiences and therefore should be acknowledged and respected. We do not have to agree; we must however acknowledge and respect the beliefs of one another. To dismiss an individual’s belief is to invalidate their personal experience as wrong or wrongly perceived.
We each live, think and process issues as they relate to our own lives. Each of us inherited the gift of free thought from our creator. No one is right or wrong. We simply perceive things differently. We live our experiences and only as we evolve, are we open to the possibility of our beliefs changing… and still that change may or may not ever line up with a consensus in thinking.
Right and wrong as it relates to any issue can only exist when the belief of a collective does not align, but even if it does, as in majority rule, it still would not exist (or matter) as it does not change the belief of the minority individual experience and therefore personal belief…
To unite this country we must dismiss the notion that unity means in agreement or of the same opinion. We must understand that acknowledgement and acceptance of our differing opinions is ultimately, what will unite us. Until such time we are destined to settle very few issues and will understand no one except those that think as we do.
The job of our elected officials is not to change minds or dictate right and wrong. That will never happen. Government is tasked with speaking the will of all people. In order for life to proceed and in the interest of evolving and advancing as a country we must truly listen and acknowledge one another regardless of which side of an issue we may find ourselves.
Let us explore the issues, share our common beliefs and make decisions based on a collaborative effort that best represents the beliefs of all Americans. We must look to what unites us rather than what divides us, for somewhere in between lies our common truth and the answers we all seek. Let us acknowledge, respect and accept the beliefs off all Americans, as they are real, valid and deserve to be heard.
Let us not be right by making others wrong.
The American Evolution
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