Author Archives: JMN

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.

Broomwork

Posted on October 20, 2019 by JMN

Ed Clark, dead at 93, included brooms among his brushes, and was among the first artists to use a shaped canvas. Mr. Clark sometimes stains but mostly he wields wide brushes and even brooms, magnifying impasto and brushwork in piled-up … Continue reading →

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The Poetry Mandate

Posted on October 20, 2019 by JMN

The Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio declared himself ruler of the city of the Hapsburg city of Fiume (now Rijeka in Croatia) on Sept. 12, 1919. His “rule” lasted 15 months. “He mandated daily poetry readings, regular concerts and constant fireworks.” … Continue reading →

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Doubts Allowed

Posted on October 20, 2019 by JMN

As a bicycle enthusiast I relish Father John’s simile. At Great St. Bernard Pass, the high point of the Via Francigena, at 8,114 feet, I was fascinated by a priest of 40 years who still struggled with his faith. “Doubts … Continue reading →

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Exactingly Delighted

Posted on October 16, 2019 by JMN

Scholar and literary critic Harold Bloom has died at the age of 89. Dwight Garner hits memorable notes in his tribute to Bloom, who in one of over 40 books launched an attack “from a crenelated embankment” on critics and … Continue reading →

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Long Live the Sword

Posted on October 13, 2019 by JMN

I have learned from a knighted man that the sword with which the Queen says “Arise, Sir Botolph” is the sword of Ethelred the Unready. The sword of Ethelred makes George Washington’s seem forged an hour ago. It takes a … Continue reading →

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No Speculation, Please

Posted on October 11, 2019 by JMN

The mayor of Dallas has urged people to avoid speculation after a key witness in the murder trial of the police officer Amber Guyger was shot dead, days after the officer’s conviction and sentencing. “Amber Guyger case: mayor says to … Continue reading →

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The Critic Almost Ran Out of Praise

Posted on October 11, 2019 by JMN

Here’s a review of Nick Cave’s album “Ghosteen” that has a left-handed conclusion. On one level, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s as good as it is: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have been in a career-high purple patch … Continue reading →

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Words With Eyes

Posted on October 6, 2019 by JMN

Viewing a Kirchner painting always makes me want to say more than I know how. I’ve seen this painting several times. A picture best speaks for itself, but a good art critic’s words can add to its impact. In “Berlin … Continue reading →

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Shot Fox

Posted on October 6, 2019 by JMN

“He may think spaffing some last-minute cash has shot Labour’s fox.” (Polly Toynbee, “The Tories have split the country. No spending splurge can repair it,” theguardian.com, 9-30-19) I couldn’t say it better than that though I knew what it meant. … Continue reading →

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Smugglers With a Heart

Posted on October 6, 2019 by JMN

A statement that the police boat “span out of control” is a perfect error modeled on the “begin-began-begun” pattern, eminently forgivable in an article sourced from a non-English news agency. My real reason for blogging this article is admiration for … Continue reading →

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