Monthly Archives: October 2018

Whitman on Abraham Lincoln

Posted on October 25, 2018 by JMN

“None of the artists or pictures have caught the deep, though subtle and indirect expression of this man’s [Lincoln’s] face,” he wrote. “They have only caught the surface. There is something else there. One of the great portrait painters of … Continue reading →

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How I Roll

Posted on October 25, 2018 by JMN

For a time I lunched once or twice a week with two other coltish scapegraces. One was a professional poet fellowshipping in the public schools under an arts grant. The other was the executive director of the local arts council … Continue reading →

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To the Hubbard Group

Posted on October 24, 2018 by JMN

I apologize for leaning on this group. I follow in Martha’s footprints insofar as craving an outlet for my thoughts. It’s odd to me that I feel more affinity with Hubbard than with where I live now. Hence this misuse. … Continue reading →

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1987: Response to “A Fable”

Posted on October 24, 2018 by JMN

[From CB to HH & JMN:] I sat relishing the feel of the florescent light on the cheap fabric of my imitation Henry Grenthel shirt and listened as Teena’s phone conversation wafted up the ventilation system like the plaintive cry … Continue reading →

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Jenny Saville

Posted on October 23, 2018 by JMN

The nude self-portrait “Propped,” by Jenny Saville, was bought by a telephone bidder at Sotheby’s on Friday night for 9.5 million pounds, or about $12.4 million… But before anyone had time to reflect on its significance, Banksy’s $1.4 million “self-destructing” … Continue reading →

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“Emphasis on the Right Syllable”

Posted on October 23, 2018 by JMN

[Neil Tennant is one half of The Pet Shop Boys, a long-running pop music duo (unknown to me) whose other half is Chris Lowe. At age 64, Tennant comes across In The Guardian interview as articulate, witty, and thoughtful in … Continue reading →

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Understanding Lyrics

Posted on October 23, 2018 by JMN

My sister told me I had to listen to “One Headlight” by Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers. A friend had introduced her to the song. “Before you hear it,” she said, “I just want to say, you’re going to find … Continue reading →

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“Two Different Paths into the Distance”

Posted on October 21, 2018 by JMN

Challenged to create work that could travel back to the States, Twombly created a series of wall hangings made from brightly colored fabrics. None of these works survive today, but in pictures of them, it is clear how Twombly is … Continue reading →

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Hooray! An Adjective with All the Vowels!

Posted on October 21, 2018 by JMN

“… A darkened Rousseauian worldview.” (David Brooks, “The Rich White Civil War,” NYTimes, 10-16-18)

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RIP, My Dear. Sadness, Please Get Gone.

Posted on October 21, 2018 by JMN

On day 3 of Bess’s absence I wake up with and go to sleep with a dogged downness that I want to surmount as soon as possible. Wine numbs but doesn’t fix it. I hate grieving because of how my … Continue reading →

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