Sunday at the Legislature, Chinese & Taiwanese guest painters painting

Painted Dolphins for fun and an umbrella for protection

The dolphin, often seen as a symbol of playfulness, intelligence, and harmony, can teach us valuable lessons even in times of conflict and sorrow. Here are a few insights we can draw from the spirit of the dolphin:

1. Adaptability: Dolphins are known for their ability to adapt to different environments and situations. In a world filled with challenges, being adaptable can help us navigate through difficult times with resilience.

2. Community and Cooperation: Dolphins live in pods and rely on each other for survival. They demonstrate the importance of community and working together, reminding us that unity and cooperation can help us overcome adversity.

3. Playfulness and Joy: Despite the harshness of their environment, dolphins are often seen playing and enjoying life. This teaches us the importance of finding moments of joy and maintaining a positive outlook, even when faced with difficulties.

4. Intelligence and Problem-Solving: Dolphins are highly intelligent and capable of complex problem-solving. They remind us to use our intellect and creativity to find solutions to our problems.

5. Compassion and Empathy: Dolphins have been known to help injured members of their pod and even other species. This highlights the importance of compassion and empathy in building a more caring and supportive world.

By embodying these qualities, we can strive to create a more peaceful and harmonious world, even amidst the chaos and challenges we encounter. 🌊🐬

2019 -2024, Red ZIPPER Tie, Figures of Speech

Last Sunday of September, 2023,

Sunday, October 6, 2024, Blood Tears.

 

AGA, Art Gallery of Alberta, Claude Monet and The Alberta Legislature

#MAGA, Make Art Great Again

Sketching with my new friends inside the AGA on Seniors Day was a delightful experience. They posed next to four Peter von Tiesenhausen paintings about wildfires, and I took a minute to sketch them both. I told them to come back in 20 minutes, and I would have my sketch completed. When they returned, we talked about art, and one lady shared her drawing on her phone, which she said made her happy when she felt sad. Sketching does this for me, too; it lifts my spirits on my off, depressing days. I gave my drawing to my new friends and wished them well on thier tour through the art gallery.

When I cover my right cataract eye, I can see clearly for the moment. However, this may be considered a distraction by the Legislative Assembly Security Services (LASS) when I return to the Legislature assembly later this October. I’ve already checked with Security at City Hall, and they have no issues with my index finger covering my right eye to see the clarity of the Mayor and City councilors’ faces. However, I suspect I won’t have the same freedoms inside the Alberta Legislature’s assembly when they commence later this month.

I’ve already seen an optometrist, and they confirmed there are no other solutions to improve my eyesight until after my surgery, but they were glad my index finger helps. In June 2019, I was personally scolded by the Sergeant-at-Arms for using American Sign Language (ASL) for applause in the public gallery when the house stood and gave a standing ovation for fallen police officers who died in the line of duty. That Sergeant-at-Arms was replaced in 2022 for bullying staff.

LASS staff, whom I kindly regard as the Government’s Fashion Police, use their discretion at the Legislature to determine if I’m wearing distracting clothing and ask me to cover up the artwork I wear. I oblige based on a gentleman’s agreement I made with the former Sergeant-at-Arms in the summer of 2021. These are the King’s men and women, former EPS officers now serving as LASS, charged with the duty of keeping decorum on behalf of the Speaker. Several of my artworks on t-shirts worn inside the assembly’s public gallery since 2019 have been deemed distracting by the friendly staff and not allowed to be worn openly. I was asked to cover them up with a jacket or a sweater, such as my Edmonton Oil Kings WHL jersey, which is allowable to be worn inside the Government’s house.

Claude Monet’s experience with cataracts significantly impacted his artwork. Diagnosed with nuclear cataracts in both eyes around 1912, Monet’s vision gradually deteriorated, affecting his perception of colors. He described seeing colors as muddy and less intense, which led to a noticeable shift in his palette towards more yellow, red, and purple tones12.

Initially, Monet was reluctant to undergo cataract surgery due to the risks involved and the unsuccessful outcomes experienced by some of his contemporaries. However, as his condition worsened, he eventually agreed to the surgery in 1923. The operations improved his vision significantly, allowing him to see colors more vividly again34.

Despite these challenges, Monet continued to paint, adapting his techniques and relying on labels for his paint colors when his vision was at its worst. His later works, particularly the water lilies series, reflect these changes in his vision and artistic approach24.

2019, the first T-shirt, deemed distracting by The Sergeant-at-Arms,

This jacket and sweater are my LASS-approved 

Cover-ups that will cover my questionable artwork.

The Grande Stage Democracy

Saturday, October 5, 2024, Thanks to mild temperatures, my outdoor painting season has been extended. Inside Violet King Henry Plaza, a young couple walking thier dog each added stars to the now glitzy 'Grande Theatre Democracy', located on the backside of my 2017-2021, The Legislature Has No Dome, Unity. #CommunityArt #MAGA